106 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



more easily managed hot cage may be contrived with very little 

 expense. An ordinary gold-fish globe, or vase, is filled with fine 

 gravel, or coarse sand, up to the level of its largest diameter, and 

 furnished with a small saucer or pot, buried to to the rim, for 

 water, and a miniature tree. Over the top a piece of muslin or 

 stout gauze is passed; tbis may be loose and baggy in the 

 centre, so as to permit the tree to extend above the top of the 

 globe, and thus increase the space for exercise ; but it must not 

 be forgotten that this elevated part will practically be in the open 

 air as far as warmth is concerned, and in any case the gauze is 

 to be fastened very tightly under the everted brim — an ordinary 

 elastic band is not strong enough. The globe, now complete as 

 a cage, should rest upon a cylindrical hot-water tin, whose 

 transverse diameter is not less than the greatest breadth of the 

 glass. This tin may hold about four gallons, and must be 

 concave at its upper end in such a way that the globe sinks into 

 it to the level of the surface of the gravel, the convexity and 

 concavity being adapted to each other as accurately as possible. 

 A very thin piece of flannel may interpose between the glass and 

 metal, but the tin (which will require refilling with boiling water 

 about once in thirty-six hours) should be thickly enveloped in 

 felt. A circular imitation rockery, to mask the tin, can be 

 constructed of cork, and will pass on and off over the top like a 

 ring ; or, if rather elaborate and stocked with ferns, may be left 

 undisturbed, and the apparatus put together within it, or removed 

 piecemeal as required. This has a highly ornamental appear- 

 ance, and involves no sacrifice of proprieties. I have used a 

 glass clock-shade for a similar purpose, but it is a very awkward 

 arrangement ; if anyone should adopt it, they had better take off 

 the little feet on which the stand rests, so that, whether it be 

 kept on the mantelpiece or upon a water-vessel, the under part 

 may lie flatly upon the warm surface. 



We may now consider the accessories incidental to the 

 conservation of serpents which will thrive under ordinary climatic 

 conditions, and require no increase of temperature ; and it is to 

 this section that I most especially and hopefully devote myself — 

 not only because it appeals to the greatest number of amateurs 

 in this branch of Natural History (from the school-boy who 

 snatches a fearful joy in contemplation of a contraband grass- 

 snake in his desk, upwards), but because the observations made 



