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THE ROCK SNAKE. 



The members of the restricted genus PYTHON are remarkable for their habit of 

 depositing the eggs together and coiling their bodies round them, so as to form a large 

 conical heap. The common grass Snake of England is said to perform the same feat. 

 The true Pythons are inhabitants of Asia, and are generally found in India. The 

 common ROCK SNAKE of India (Python moh'trus), is a good example of this genus. 

 The natives believe that the little spurs are useful in fighting, and therefore cut them 

 off whenever they capture the reptile. It is the Pedda-Poda of the Hindoos. It is 

 not one of the largest of its kind, usually attaining a length of ten or eleven feet, and 

 not being held in much dread. A fowl that was inclosed in a cage with one of these 

 serpents, soon obtained the mastery over her terrible companion, and was seen quietly 

 pecking at its head. 



One of these reptiles that was kept at the gardens of the Zoological Society, once 

 made a curious mistake while being fed, and had well-nigh sacrificed the life of its 



KAROO BOKADAM. a*rbwv* clnereua. 



keeper. The man had approached the reptile with a fowl in his hand and presented 

 it as usual to the Snake. The Serpent darted at the bird, but as it was just then shedding 

 its skin and nearly blind, it missed its aim, and instead of seizing the bird, grasped 

 the keeper's left thumb, and instinctively flung its coils around his arms and neck, as 

 is customary when the animal seized is of considerable size. 



The keeper tried to force the Snake's head from its hold, but could not reach it as 

 he was bound in the folds of the Snake. He then cast himself on the ground in order to 

 battle to the greatest advantage, but would probably have succumbed to the fearful 

 pressure, had not two keepers providentially entered the room, and by breaking away 

 the Serpent's teeth released the man from his terrible assailant. Except the fright and a 

 few wounds from the serpent's teeth, no evil results ensued. 



ANOTHER species of Indian Rock Snake, called by the natives ULAR SAWA (Hypsirhina 

 aer), is tolerably common, and in its habits resembles the preceding species. It often 

 attains to a very considerable size, and is said, when full-grown to be about thirty feet in 

 length. This terrible Snake has been known to kill mankind, crushing the body in its 



