324 SXAKES 



locomotion, the rapidity of their progress is not a little surprising. 

 On examining the anatomical structure of their body, however, 

 it will be remarked that while we have only twelve pair of ribs 

 united in front by the breast-bone and cartilage, the snake has 

 often more than three hundred, unconnected in front, and con- 

 sequently much more free in their motions, a faculty which is 

 still increased by the great mobility of the spondyli of the back- 

 bone. Between the ribs and the broad transverse scales or 

 plates which exist on the belly of all such serpents as move 

 rapidly, we find numerous muscles connecting them one with 

 another, and thus, amply provided with a whole system of strong 

 pulleys and points of attachment, the reptile, bringing up the 

 tail towards the head, by bending the body into one or more 

 curves, and then again resting upon the tail and extending the 

 body, glides swiftly along, not only upon even ground, but 

 even sometimes from branch to branch, as the smallest hold 

 suffices for its stretching out its body at a foot's length into the 

 air, and thus reaching another sallying point for further progress. 

 The anatomy of the serpent's jaws is no less remarkable than 

 the mechanism of its movements. In spite of their proverbial 

 wisdom, snakes would not be able to exist unless they were able 

 to swallow large animal masses at a time. For, however rapid 

 their motions may be, those of their prey are in general still 

 more active, and thus they are obliged to wait in anibush till a 

 fortunate chance provides them with a copious meal. The 

 victim is often much more bulky than the serpent itself, but 

 still, without tearing it to pieces, it is able to engulph it in its 

 swelling maw. For the two halves of its lower jaw do not 

 coalesce like ours into one solid mass, but are merely connected 

 in front by a loose ligament, so that each part can be moved 

 separately. The bones of the upper jaw and palate are also, 

 loosely attached or articulated one with the other, and thus 

 the whole mouth is capable of great distension. By this 

 mechanism, aided by the numerous sharp teeth which are so 

 many little hooks with the point curved backwards, each side 

 of the jaws and mouth being able to act as it were indepen- 

 dently of the other, alternately hooks itself fast to the morsel, 

 or advances to fasten itself farther on in a similar manner, and 

 thus the reptile draws itself over its prey, somewhat in the 

 same way as we draw a stocking over our leg, after having first. 



