ON THE COMMON INDIAN SNAKES. 93? 



assailing it from all sides with stones, sods of earth, etc., and yet 

 seen it lie inactive unless actually struck by a missile, or immersed 

 by a wave from one when it simply re-appeared at the surface, and 

 maintained a dignified unconcern. 



I have known it again when discovered swallowing another 

 snake, take no notice of a ring of spectators, but continue engulf- 

 ing its victim. Many specimens have been brought to me alive 

 and quite unhurt, and I have never succeeded in making one angry, 

 never seen one bite at anything nor raise itself in menace, though 

 provoked in a most outrageous manner. What it usually did was 

 to sulk ; sometimes it flattened itself to the ground, but more 

 usually lay still, and hid its head beneath its body. Sometimes if 

 an eye was still visible, and an object pushed towards it, it made a 

 slight spasmodic movement and withdrew its head still further so 

 as to avoid seeing the coming danger. If the tail was smartly 

 rapped, it merely shook it, and moved its position. I have some- 

 times thought that this singularly apathetic behaviour which strong- 

 ly suggests that of an animal that has been drugged, is merely 

 evinced during the day-time is, perhaps, due to its being dazed by 

 the sun, or strong light, but an incident which occurred to a 

 friend some years ago shows that, even at night the creature is 

 naturally slothful and stupid. My informant, Colonel Evans, came 

 across one when riding over an open piece of ground. He could 

 clearly see the snake in the moonlight so dismounted, and having 

 no weapon of offence, called to his servants to bring a stick. For 

 several minutes Colonel Evans walked round the snake, which in- 

 stead of trying to escape, merely altered its direction as he con- 

 fronted it. It moved in a lazy way, and offered no menace, and 

 was eventually killed. 



Its movements are in keeping with its phlegmatic disposition. 

 I have never seen one in the least degree active, and it is doubtless 

 due to these traits in its character that no casualties in the human 

 subject have hitherto been reported. 



I have never heard one hiss, but Colonel Evans remarked that 

 the 5 that was found lying up with hatching eggs did so. The 

 same observer mentioned the intolerance shown by the young brood 

 to the sun. 



