298 



ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 



THE AFRICAN GECKO, (TARENTAI.A ANNULARIS). 

 Showing the disk-like suckers on the toes, with which it clings to flat surfaces 



As a remarkable instance of adaptation to a life 

 on fine, desert sands, we may select an African 

 Skink, (Scinciis officinalis), several specimens of 

 which are on exhibition. The snout is flattened 

 laterally to such a degree that it forms an excellent 

 scoop, while the toes are so wide and thin they look 

 almost like feathers. Thus these animals can walk 

 over fine sand without the feet sinking, or, if they 

 wish to burrow, they employ the scoop-like snout. 

 In addition to them the collection possesses a closely 

 allied, thin, snake-like species, provided with four 

 limbs; but the latter are ludicrouslv small. As 

 the creature progresses it folds the limbs against 

 the side of the body and glides like a serpent. When 

 annoyed it literally swims into the sand, the wedge- 

 shaped snout greatly assist- 

 ing in the process. Other 

 African lizards on exhibition 

 represent the famihar Lacer- 

 lidic and Agamidcc. Man\- 

 of our specimens are mem- 

 bers of the desert fauna and 

 consequently of a pale red- 

 dish-brown or yellowish hue. 



It is among our African 

 serpents that we may possibly 

 fmd the most interesting spe- 

 cimens. With these the Rep- 

 tile House e.xhibits two snakes 

 of historical renown — the 

 Egyptian Cobra, {Naja haja) 

 and the Horned Viper, (1'/- 

 pera cerastes). It has long 

 been a much-discussed ques- 

 tion as to which of these two 

 deadly creatures was the fa- 

 mous "Asp" figuring in the 



romantic history of Cleopatra. 

 In some paintings depicting 

 that historic event the Egypt- 

 ian queen is shown with the 

 Cobra, its spread hood caus- 

 ing the reptile to form an ad- 

 mirable accessory to the 

 painter's inspiration; but in 

 other works of art the \'iper 

 is figured as the means of 

 destruction. Certain it is that 

 either of the species is suffi- 

 ciently venomous to cause 

 speedy death. If Cleopatra 

 had known the respective ac- 

 tions of the venoms of these 

 snakes, she would have se- 

 lected the Cobra, as the bite 

 of that species usually pro- 

 duces a state of coma, during 

 which the vital forces grad- 

 ually diminish. 

 The Egyptian Cobra differs from its spectacular 

 Indian relative, the Spectacled Cobra, by an 

 absence of markings on the "hood." It is a dull, 

 brown snake, sometimes dotted with yellow. Of 

 the several dozen examples obser\'ed by the writer, 

 all were uniformly vicious and marvellously quick 

 in their motions. In striking, they utter a sharp 

 hiss, like a sneeze, and after a frenzied display of 

 rage a snake will actually fling its body into a dark 

 corner of the cage, there to lie partially coiled, hiss- 

 ing sonorously with each exhalation of the breath. 

 After years in captivity they are just as wild as 

 when captured. It is a singular fact that they are 

 among the most hardy of serpents in captivity if 

 kept in a steady temperature, while they are unable 



THER VIEW OF THE AFRICAN GECKO, 

 (TARENTALA ANNULARIS). 



