412 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XIV, 



save his own skin." My experience is quite in accord with that of the 

 above named gentleman, viz., that it is unusual for them to be aggressive. 

 I consider their evil propensities have been greatly exaggerated. Their 

 large size, activity, fierce appearance when irritated, readiness to attack 

 on slight and at times seemingly without provocation, have undoubtedly 

 tended to earn for them a bad character. There is however, no denying, 

 that empty-handed, an infuriated Hamadryad is about as nasty a creature 

 as one could possibly be brought in contact with. I have met several 

 individuals who have had the unpleasant experience of being chased 

 and though there was an unanimity of opinion as to the shocking sensa- 

 tions produced, apparently all had the full use of their limbs, or hama- 

 dryads are not fleet, or do not pursue for any distance, as not one 

 would even admit to having nearly been caught. As a rule, people have 

 such a dislike for the most ordinary snakes that when one is met with he 

 is pretty certain to have his back broken, and, later his head battered 

 and mangled to an extent certain to preclude the possibility of his ever 

 doing damage. The amount of fear likely to be inspired by a snake with 

 a reputation for being ordinarily aggressive can readily be imagined, and 

 perhaps there is nothing in this world so calculated to even make a lame 

 man put his best leg forward as the knowledge that a Hamadryad is at 

 his heels. For my own part I have no pretentions to being fleet of foot 

 but if ever I have been near breaking the record for 100 yards (I regret 

 I cannot give the time), it was on an occasion when a Hamadryad turned 

 his attentions to me. The snake was moving along rather fast through 

 grass, and having caught a glimpse of his size, I concluded it was a 

 python; so taking a stick from the hand of a friend, I ran after him, 

 only to soon have the tables turned, for as I approached he suddenly 

 stopped, turned, and raised his head and neck. I at once perceived 

 my mistake, took advantage of the start, and what is more, to my 

 surprise, intense relief and astonishment of my friend, maintained my 

 distance throughout the race. My friend who had never before heard 

 of a Hamadryad, and enjoyed what he described as the fun, stated with, 

 evident disappointment that the snake had only followed some twenty 

 or thirty yards ; as I never troubled to look behind till I came up to 

 him, I accepted the statement. 



I have endeavoured to obtain authentic information regarding 

 instances of bites and results, but have only four worthy of mention 

 not a formidable number for a snake so greatly dreaded. 



