122 THE ANACONDO 



This creature is rather variable in its colouring, the locality having probably some 

 influence in this respect. Generally it is rich chocolate-brown, with five dark streaks on 

 the top and sides of the head, a series of large and rather narrow dark rings along the back, 

 and two rows of dark spots on the sides. Sometimes a number of large spots are seen on 

 the back, and white streaks on the sides. In all the members of this genus, the hinder 

 limbs or " spurs" of the male are larger and stronger than in the female. 



ANOTHER American species, the DOG-HEADED BOA or BOJOBI (Xiphosbma caninum), is 

 notable for the formidable armament of teeth which line the mouth, and the beautiful green 

 colour of its skin. As is the case with all the Boidae, this species is only found in the 

 hottest parts of the country, and is most plentiful in Brazil. It may be known from the 

 other species partly by its green colour, partly by the deep pits on the plates that edge the 

 lips, and partly by the regular ring of scales that surrounds the eye. This Snake is some- 

 times called the ARARAMBOYA. 



now come to the BOIGTJACU or true BOA CONSTRICTOR, a title which is indifferently 

 applied to all the family, and with some degree of appropriateness, inasmuch as they 

 all kill their prey by pressure or constriction. 



This magnificent reptile is a native of Southern and Tropical America, and is one of 

 those Serpents that were formerly held sacred and worshipped with divine honours. It 

 attains a very large size, often exceeding twenty feet in length, and being said to reach 

 thirty feet in some cases. It is worthy of mention, that before swallowing their prey, the 

 Boas do not cover it with saliva, as has been asserted. Indeed, the very narrow and 

 slender forked tongue of the Serpent is about the worst possible implement for such a 

 purpose. A very large amount of this substance is certainly secreted by the reptile while 

 in the act of swallowing, and is of great use in lubricating the prey, so as to aid it in its 

 passage down the throat and into the body, but it is only poured upon the victim during 

 the act of swallowing, and is not prepared and applied beforehand. 



The dilating powers of the Boa are wonderful. The skin stretches to a degree which 

 seems absolutely impossible, and the comparison between the diameter of the prey and that 

 of the mouth through which it has to pass, and the throat down which it has to glide, is 

 almost ludicrous in its apparent impracticability, and unless proved by frequent experience, 

 would seem more like the prelude to a juggler's trick than an event of every day occur- 

 rence. To such an extent is the body dilatable, that the shape of the animal swallowed 

 can often be traced through the skin, and the very fur is visible through the translucent 

 eyes, as the dead victim passes through the jaws and down the throat. 



There is a popular idea among the inhabitants of the country in which the Boa lives, 

 that if it attacks a man in a forest, he may possibly escape by slipping round a tree in 

 such a manner that the Serpent may squeeze the trunk of the tree, mistaking it for the 

 body of the man, and so burst itself asunder by the violence of its efforts. Whether any 

 one has escaped by this rather transparent device is not mentioned. 



The colour of the Boa Constrictor is rich brown, and along its back runs a broad 

 chain of large blackish spots of a somewhat hexagonal shape, and of pale white spots 

 scooped at each end. These dark and pale spots are arranged alternately and form a really 

 pretty pattern, and should the colours be faded, as is always the case when the skin has 

 been renewed, the species may be recognised by the arrangement of the scales round the 

 eyes, which are set in a circle, are thirty in number, and are separated from the scales of 

 the lips by two rows of smaller scales. 



AN equally celebrated Snake, the ANACONDO, is also figured in the illu-stration on 

 page 123. 



This gigantic serpent is a native of Tropical America, where it is known under several 

 names, La Culebra de Agua, or Water Serpent, and El Traga Venado, or Deer-Swallower 

 being the most familiar. The flesh of this Serpent, although firm and white, is seldom if 

 ever eaten by the natives, although the flesh of Serpents is considered a delicacy by many 

 nations. Within the body is a large amount of fat from which can be obtained a very 

 considerable quantity of oil. This oil is thought to be a specific for many complaints, 



