306 TIMEHRI. 
ditions do modify the breeding habits of snakes, is of 
course well-known, and a case in point may be given 
from the egg-laying Aboma (Epicrates.) A specimen 
which was brought to the Museum, some years ago, in 
a closely nailed box, was observed at the time to be 
laying, a few eggs being found in a corner of the box, of 
which two are still preserved in spirit. The snake was 
placed in a large wire cage—open ‘to light on all sides— 
together with a set of reptiles, which included four land 
and water boas, a Teguexin Lizard and an iguana. Some 
six months afterwards the Aboma was noticed to have 
brought forth several young ones, which were quite 
strong and healthy. Whether it was due to the change 
from the dark box to the exposed cage, or to the presence 
of the other occupants, there was no doubt but that the 
snake had retained the eggs until the young were born, 
and thus departed from its normal habits. This case 
was reported in this journal at the time (Zimehri, 
1890, p. 370). 
The sense of hearing in the anaconda appears to be 
much more acute than either sight or smell. On frequent 
occasions when rats have been placed in close proximity 
to the cage, not until there was a squeak from them did 
the snakes begin to move about from one part of the 
cage to another as though seeking them. And even 
when the rats have been placed inside the cage, the 
snakes have often seemed unable to deteét their position 
unless they have come aétually in contaét with them. 
The slightest touch, however, is generally sufficient, not 
simply for the grasping of the prey by the teeth, but for 
a rapid coiling of the body, independently, at whatever 
part the touch may take place. In this latter way, 
