1909.) ON AN OX-BONE GNAWED BY RODENTS. 393 
provided for retreat from extreme cold. Numerous hanging 
baskets of growing plants and a wired-off portion which is one 
mass of tropical vegetation beautify the cage, and make an 
atmosphere and surroundings congenial to the serpents. These 
things have had, I believe, great influence in the production of 
eggs. Only one ‘batch was laid during 10 years in our old snake- 
Cages, whereas, beginning April 1904, there have been six lots of 
eggs in the new cage, which was first occupied in the summer of 
1903. 
“ Hitherto, with perhaps one exception, the eggs have not been 
fertilized, but only once has the snake failed to incubate them for 
a considerable period. And on one occasion a Python Molurus 
permitted herself and eggs to be moved from one situation to 
another without decreasing her ardour. 
“The sitting of a Seba Python, which commenced Dec. 21st 
and terminated at the 4th of February this year, would probably 
have been successful had she not been lying on an air-grating, where 
the temperature would approximate to 120°. The eggs, which 
were perfectly white, through the whole period were pressed and 
flattened out of spherical shape until they closely resembled a plaque 
of white excreta. The reptile sat upon them very assiduously, 
but left the nest for about 10 minutes morning and evening to 
drink, and for about half an hour every fortnight when feeding, 
which she did regularly on dead rabbits ‘during the whole period. 
“ During the period of incubation the Python grew more vicious, 
turning upon the keeper several times and occasionally striking 
at visitors. 
“ Nevertheless, she in no way resented the presence of the dozen 
or more snakes which crowded into the same case in the cold 
January days, but which usually kept as far from her as possible 
(about 5 5 feet), the male Python alone lying at her side. 
“This pair of Seba Pythons was purchased from Mr. Lyster 
Jameson Jast summer, and had been, I believe, on deposit at 
Regent's Park for some time previously. 
“Slough of female 15 feet long.” 
Dr. R. T. Leiper, F.Z.S., exhibited a greatly distorted Elephant’s 
tusk from the Congo, and a malformed canine tooth of a Hippo- 
mus from Uganda, and stdted that the conditions most 
probably had originated from mechanical injury. 
Mr. E. T. Newton, F.B.S., F.Z.S8., exhibited 2 metatarsal bone 
of an Ox, showing in a remarkable manner the marks of gna 
by rodents, possibly Squirrels, Rats, or Mice, which he had found 
in the woods near Cromer. 
Pezoc. Zoou. Soc.—1909, No. XX VI. 26 
