104 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



it ought to be well-fitting like a garment, but the four sides may 

 have free borders unattached to each other, only joined — hinged, 

 as it were — to the top piece. Thus, when the "cosy" is on, the 

 edges will be in apposition and the cage perfectly covered, and 

 at the same time it allows one or more sides to be turned up to 

 admit light during the day ; for it is often advisable to partially 

 shelter the glass in this way, and effects a vast saving of heat. 

 If the cage stands, as it probably will, at the window, then the 

 zinc top and the two ends only must be covered, the front and 

 back squares being folded above, to prevent the room being 

 darkened, as well as to afford a view of the reptiles — always let 

 them see, as well as be seen. If, however, it stands in any other 

 situation, then it will be enough to turn back the front portion 

 alone ; but if the cage is not designed to transmit the light, it is 

 just as well to have the back (and perhaps the ends, too) made 

 of wood or metal. Tbe use of the cover will naturally vary with 

 the season, and according to incidental circumstances affecting 

 the local temperature. 



The ordering of the interior of the cage will be discussed 

 when we come to consider that topic generally. There must be 

 a forked branch, of course, of suitable size, as in the den last 

 described ; one end can be fitted into a hole of the perforated 

 floor, while the other may be secured to the zinc at an angle of 

 the top with wire or a rivet. A pan of water will take the place 

 of the tank, and the only thing that need be said about it here is 

 that it should not be put in until the sides of the cage are 

 thoroughly warmed — otherwise the vapour which it will be 

 impelled to throw off by the heat below will condense and cloud 

 the glass. Tepid, not cold, water is to be introduced when the 

 pan is refilled, as it should be every day. The kinds of snakes 

 which may be kept in such a cage will also be allotted to a 

 separate chapter ; but I may remark in this place that when it is 

 intended to contain young constrictors, of large and powerful 

 species, the sides must be made of plate-glass. 



A small orange-tree, fuchsia, geranium, or other plant with 

 tolerably sturdy stem, has a very pretty appearance in such a 

 case with Green Whip-snakes, or any whose habit of body is 

 excessively slender, like the Tree Snakes proper ; but does not do 

 for bulkier reptiles, even if the branches will support their 

 weight. Coming out of the water, they glide and burrow about 



