220 Mr. Broderip on the Boa Constrictor. 



took the hen in his hands and held it opposite to the head of the 

 snake without succeeding in inducing him to take the bird, which, 

 when let out of the keeper's hands, again settled herself down 

 upon the serpent for the night. 



The only solution, which I can offer, of the difference between 

 Mr. M'Leod's description and my experience, is one which I do 

 not propose as absolutely satisfactory, but which may, neverthe- 

 less, be found to approach the truth. The goats put on board at 

 Batavia for the serpent, which, it appears, was brought from 

 Borneo, Avere in all probability, natives of Java, and, if so, they 

 would, according to the wonderful instinct which nature has im- 

 planted in animals for their preservation, be likely to have a 

 violent antipathy to large serpents, such as those which there lurk 

 for their prey. The great Python is a native of Java, and, if 

 these goats were wild, or originally from the wild stock of the 

 island, their instinctive horror at the sight of the destroyer may 

 be thus accounted for. But our domestic fowls and rabbits (the 

 stock of the latter most probably indigenous, and that of the for- 

 mer of such remote importation, and so much changed by descent 

 as to be almost on the same footing,) having no such natural enemy 

 as a large serpent on which it is necessary for them to be on their 

 guard, are entirely without this instinct, although it is strong 

 enough in the case of their ordinary enemies, such as hawks, 

 dogs and cats, and they consequently view the Boa which is about 

 to dash at them with the same indifference as if he were a log 

 of wood. 



It may not be amiss to give persons who have the care of these 

 reptiles a hint, not to expose their hands too much in holding 

 fowls, &c. to the head of a Boa when near shedding its skin, and, 

 consequently, nearly blind (for the skin of the eye is changed 

 Avith the rest) in order to induce it to take its prey. Mr. Cop, 

 the keeper of the Lion Office, was, a few weeks ago, holding a 

 fowl to the head of the largest of the five snakes which are there 

 kept, when the serpent was in this condition. The snake darted 

 at the bird, missed it, but seized the keeper by the left thumb, 

 and was coiled round his arm and neck in a moment. Mr. Cop, 

 who was alour, did not lose his presence of mind, and, immedi- 



