THE DESQUAMATION AND DIGESTION OF SERPENTS. 51 



disturbance though not active to attack unless touched, and loses 

 its iridescence, while its intrinsic colouring becomes duller every 

 day. Since the outer layer of the conjunctiva is continuous with 

 the general cuticular surface, the Ophidia being destitute of 

 eyelids, blindness more or less complete ensues, evidenced by the 

 filmy or rather ground glass aspect of the eyes, and frequent 

 failure of aim should the reptile strike at an object. Then, 

 after a period ranging between five and twenty days from the 

 manifestation of the first symptoms, if all goes well, the epidermis 

 cracks at the inner margin of the lips or at some part of the 

 body, and becomes rolled up or reversed as the snake emerges 

 therefrom, hungry and active. 



Such is, roughly described, the process of desquamation. But 

 those who have closely observed these creatures in confinement 

 will sometimes have remarked a rather curious anomaly. A 

 snake, evidently on the verge of shedding, is seen suddenly to 

 reassume its normal brightness of hue (though with altered 

 sheen), to become lively and even anxious for food, and to present 

 such appearances generally as to lead to the conclusion that it 

 has cast its slough. No slough, however, is to be discovered; 

 but within twenty-four hours it is shed in the usual manner, or 

 may even be burst in the act of feeding. The immediate cause 

 of this deceptive appearance is not difficult to ascertain. The 

 discarded cuticle is always found to be wet in its recent state ; 

 and without doubt an exudation of fluid takes place beneath it 

 shortly before it is cast off, rendering it transparent, so that, 

 although separate from the true skin, it allows the ground colours 

 of the latter to be seen through it in nearly their normal vividness. 

 It is a fact well recognised by keepers of reptile-houses that 

 the health of a snake, whether as cause or effect, is coincident 

 with the regularity of its desquamation. "Bad shedding" is 

 looked upon by them as a certain sign of derangement in some 

 way. Without reckoning minor accidents— such as the false 

 cataract which ensues from accumulation of three or four old 

 plates on the eye, or damage to the cornea from their bein<* 

 rudely stripped off en masse— there are two or three ways in 

 which this bad shedding is manifested. The epidermis may 

 detach itself in irregular flakes, instead of coming away as a 

 whole ; or it may be changed too frequently ; or it may refuse to 

 separate altogether. I may cite a Thick-necked Tree Boa 



