REPTILES. 



■'■■''W^^^^^^P^S'iOi' ^^' ■- • - • 



Boa Constrictor. 



Tiger rython. 





IB 



Boa Constrictor, seizing a Rabbit. 



The Snakes, by their peculiar gliding movements, constitute an expressive type of the whole reptile 

 order, who take their name from the Latin repo, I creep. The extraordinary flexibility of their bodies is 

 owing to t.ie structure of their vertebrae, each of which fits into the one behind it by a ball and socket 

 joint, thus allowing free motion in all directions. 



The Boa Constrictor is the general title for an order, embracing many species, of huge serpents confined 

 to the hot'er regions of the globe, and called Constrictor from their mode of destroying their prey, which 

 is by crushing. Lurking in ambush, the tail, which is specially formed for the purpose, grasping the trunk, 

 or branch of a tree, they dart upon their victim, and instantly enveloping it in their terrible coils, crush or 

 strangle it. The flesh and bones of the dead victim being compressed into a shapeless mass, the snake 

 now begins to swallow it, commencing with the head. His jaws are all distorted, the skin of the neck is 

 stretched almost to apparent bursting; the mouth drips with a glutinous saliva, which aids deglntion, and 

 thus slowly he sucks down the whole mass. He now quietly seeks his usual haunt, coils himself round, 

 and lies torpid for a month, till digestion is completed, when he sallies forth for another meal. These 

 creatures prey on large fishes as well as quadrupeds, being rapid swimmers. They are all natives of the 

 tropic regions of America, are beautifully tinted, and gleam in the sun. 



The Tiger Python is a native of India and Java. It is, of its kind, a splendid looking creature, and is 

 often brought to Europe for exhibition. Its general characterics are similar to the Boa. 

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