332 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



tints on its grey body. It closely resembles the Natal Python, which Dr. Andrew Smith describes 

 as occasionally reaching twenty-five feet in length. It may be the Indian species last alluded to. 

 Formerly an inhabitant of the Cape Colony, it is now not to be found for hundreds of miles from 

 its boundaries, and few specimens have been found nearer than Port Natal. 



Dr. Sclater, F.R.S., has shown that the African Python* and the Indian Adjigar f incubate 

 their eggs. These are of the size of those of a goose, and fifteen were laid on a 6th of May. 



INDIAN ADJIGAR. 



The Snake (the African one) collected them in a conical heap, coiled herself round and on 

 it, entirely covering the eggs, and her head rested on the top of the cone. The Snake remained 

 in that position until eight of the eggs were hatched on the 3rd of July. An increase in the tem- 

 perature of the Snake has been observed during the hatching. The Snakes of this family have the 

 relics of hind limbs in the shape of bony spurs, and the tail is prehensile ; it enables the Python 

 to cling on to the stump of a tree or a rock whilst aiTesting the escape of the prey. The head has 



* Python sebce. t Python molurus. 



