J30AS.-PYTIIONS. 57 



possessing great agility, and prodigious strength, they are not 

 the less formidable. Concealed in the grass, or suspended by 

 its tail from the branches of a tree in a pathway, or on the 

 bank of a rivulet, the Boa watches an opportunity of seizing its 

 prey, which it surrounds in its folds, and presses so strongly, 

 that the animal is soon stifled, and its bones crushed. When 

 the Serpent has, so to speak, kneaded its victim, it bathes it 

 in slaver, and, enormously dilating its jaws, slowly swallows it. 

 We are assured, that several days are required to swallow an 

 entire animal, eaten in this way, and that a part of it is 

 already digested before the whole has entered the mouth of the 

 reptile. After a repast of this kind, Boas remain motionless in 

 some retired spot, exhaling a foetid odour. It is then easy to kill 

 them, and it appears, their flesh is not a disagreeable aliment, for 

 certain Indian tribes feed upon it. During a very long time, the 

 greatest confusion pervaded the history of these great serpents, 

 which were confounded with the Pythons. It was believed they 

 were found in Africa and Asia, as well as in America ; but it now 

 seems to be certain, that they are peculiar to the western conti- 

 nent. The most celebrated species owes its name to an error of 

 this kind. It was called the Divine Boa, because what was said 

 of certain large Colubers, which the negroes of Mozambique 

 make objects of religious worship, was attributed to it. It seems 

 that the Brazilians and even the ancient Mexicans, rendered it 

 similar honours. This enormous reptile, which is also called the 

 Boa Constrictor, inhabits the warm and humid parts of America ; 

 its head is covered with small scales to the end of the muzzle, and 

 it is easily recognised by a sort of chain-links, formed along the 

 back, of hexagonal blackish spots, and others of a yellowish colour. 

 Two other species, which inhabit the same countries attain nearly 

 the same size : the Boa anaconda, and the Boa aboma. 



54. The division of COLUBERS includes the Pythons, the Colu- 

 bers properly so called, and many other genera." 



55. The PYTHONS, are, as it were, the representatives of the 

 Boas in the old world : they attain the same gigantic size, and 

 are also furnished with hooks near the anus : they have narrow 

 ventral plates ; but those beneath the tail are double instead of 

 being simple. It is to be remarked, however, that some of these 

 serpents have the first, others the second plates of the tail simple, 

 which seems to establish a gradual passage betwixt these two 

 genera, the distinction of which, in other respects, is founded upon 

 unimportant particulars. Be it as it may, to the Pythons must be 

 referred all that has been said of the Boas of Africa and Asia. 



54. What genera are included in the division of Colubers ? 



55. What are Pythons ? What are their characters ? 



