THE ZooLocisT—APRIL, 1875. 4391 
middle of the floor, with its head greatly puffed out, as is usual 
with it when irritated, and from which it derives its name. We 
soon discovered the cause of its anger: our unfortunate cat was 
standing a few feet off, terror-struck and quite unable to move: it 
was not until we had broken the spell by attracting the attention of 
the reptile that the cat could get off. If we had not so opportunely 
arrived the cat would probably have fallen a victim to its power. 
At another time, whilst in the bush, we saw a long green snake up 
in one of the trees fascinate not only one bird, but several at the 
same time,—thrushes, shrikes and finches helplessly fluttering 
around it,—the reptile gently moving its head backwards and 
forwards, only waiting for the moment when one of the birds 
should approach near enough to be taken. We think this must be 
the way tree snakes usually procure their food, as we have often 
heard the alarm cry of birds when nothing could be seen to 
cause it. 
The puff-adder sometimes brings forth its young alive; at other 
times it lays eggs, which are hatched by the heat of the sun. The 
natives say they have seen a white species, and that its habits and 
venomous properties are the same: it is possible these might be 
albinos, but they say they are common in some districts. There is 
a curious superstition among the Kafirs that when they die they 
turn into a kind of snake which they call “itongo:” they say 
it is of a green and white colour, and grows to a great length: 
according to their belief this animal has the power of becoming 
invisible at pleasure. They say that when a man dies his soul is 
immediately transformed into an itongo, and has the power, like a 
guardian spirit, of protecting the interests of his living relations ; 
they think that no death can occur without the sanction of this 
extraordinary reptile, and in time of sickness propitiatory offerings 
are made to it: a beast is slain and hung outside of one of their 
huts, in the thatch of which the snake lives; it is supposed to 
come out at midnight and take a portion, generally being satisfied 
with the blood alone. 
There is a very venomous little snake found here, called by the 
colonists the “ deaf-adder,” because when met with it never makes 
any attempt to get out of the way. The other day we had a 
narrow escape from one of these nasty little adders, but fortunately, 
although it was too lazy to move, it warned us in time by hissing 
loudly. 
