POPULAR TREATISE ON THE COMMON INDIAN SNAKES. 15 



encountered above ground, and I am inclined to think this is the 

 result of its own inclination rather than from force of circumstances, 

 such as a water logged soil in the rains, or the desire for water to 

 assuage its thirst in long drought. 



The remarks made upon Mr. John's captive specimen makes it 

 appear that it was usually lying above the earth, and it has 

 certainly frequently been vcij experience to see other caged speci- 

 mens lying visible, though they were supplied with earth, in 

 which they might have concealed themselves. It would be 

 interesting to note in future, the climatic and other condi- 

 tions when a specimen is met with either above or beneath the 

 soil. 



Habits. — I know very little of this snake in its natural haunts, 

 so that most of my observations have been made from specimens 

 in the hands of jugglers, or in captivity elsewhere. 1 always found 

 it a particularly inoifensive creature, but thought that its gentle 

 disposition might merely be the result of its captivity, and a re- 

 conciliation to the repeated handling it had received. However 

 more than one good observer, who is better acquainted with the 

 snake in nature, has remarked to me on its extremely placid nature 

 at all times. Russell tells us that Mr. John kept one for a year in 

 a chatty of earth. It generally lay coiled up with its head under 

 its belly, was not easily roused, and never showed a disposition to 

 bite. Father Dreckman, who has encountered many, tells me that 

 he has never met with a more harmless creature, even freshly 

 caught, he says, it never attempts to bite, and although he has 

 handled many under natural conditions none ever used its 

 teeth. Dr. Henderson too remarks that it is the gentlest of snakes 

 allowing itself to be handled without any attempt at self defence. 

 One I found in Trichinopoly lying on some loose soil, took no 

 notice of me, allowed me to move it about with a stick without 

 showing any signs of annoyance or attempting to escape, and 

 was altogether so lethargic that I thought it must have been 

 mortally damaged though I could find no trace of an injury. 

 Those in the possession of snake men usually lie where they are 

 placed on the ground, or make aimless movements without any 

 attempt to conceal or bury themselves. From what has been 



