TREATMENT OF SNAKES IN CAPTIVITY. 103 



naturalists, it is still far from being exhausted. To trace the 

 connection of the rock with Africa, in regard to species of any 

 class, would be another interesting study. 



ON THE TREATMENT OF SNAKES IN CAPTIVITY. 



By Arthur Stradlino, C.M.Z.S. 



(Continued from p. 08.) 



Snakes can be kept warm in a box unprovided with any such 

 mechanism by movable tins of hot water, or, better still, by an 

 india-rubber water-pillow, though there are great disadvantages 

 attending each. Here the same principles hold good ; the larger 

 the vessel the longer will it continue to evolve heat, one being 

 preferable to two of half its capacity, unless no obstacle exist to 

 the two being refilled at very short intervals ; here, too, it will 

 be necessary to wrap up the tins, not only for the purpose of 

 economizing the heat, but to prevent the snakes from burning 

 themselves. Care must be taken not to run into the opposite 

 extreme, and cover them so thickly that the heat is all kept in 

 and the poor reptiles get none of the benefit of it. That is the 

 reason for choosing coarse earth for our tray; a fine, close 

 powder would be too perfect a non-conductor. The tin or 

 pillow may be cased in a flannel bag, but should rest upon some 

 material which will prevent evaporation from below, since what- 

 ever heat goes off in that direction is wasted ; a pile of tightly- 

 pressed newspapers is as good as anything. If a tin is chosen, a 

 square shape is best, the upper surface just large enough for the 

 serpents to coil upon, with rugs over all; they will find out where 

 the greatest amount of radiation is taking place, to a degree. 



In arranging some rough paraphernalia for an attempt at 

 artificial incubation with snakes' eggs, I once fell into this error 

 of over-precaution against escape of heat. A tin holding six 

 gallons of boiling water was so completely shielded that at the 

 end of seven days it was scarcely possible to bear the hand upon 

 it when it was unwrapped, while the eggs were cold and dead. 

 This system is adapted to several articles of manufacture for 

 domestic comfort and convenience. 



A cover of flannel or quilted stuff, the thicker the better, 

 should be provided for the vivarium, and always put on at night ; 



