THE BOCK SNAKE OF INDIA. 



119 



Asia, and are generally found in India. The common Rook Snake of India {Python molurus) 

 is a good example of this genus. The natives believe that the little spurs are useful in lighting, 

 and therefore cut them off whenever they capture the reptile. It is the Pedda-Poda of the 

 Hindoos. It is not one of the largest of its kind, usually attaining a length of ten or eleven 

 feet, and not being held in much dread. A fowl that was inclosed in a cage with one of these 

 Serpents, soon obtained the mastery over her terrible companion, and was seen quietly pecking 

 at its head. 



One of these reptiles that was kept at the gardens of the Zoological Society, once made a 

 curious mistake while being fed, and had well-nigh sacrificed the life of its keeper. The man 

 had approached the reptile with a fowl in his hand and presented it as usual to the Snake. The 



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ROCK SNAKK OF INDIA.— Python molurus. 



Serpent darted at the bird, but as it was just then shedding its skin and nearly blind, it 

 missed its aim, and instead of seizing the bird, grasped the keeper's left thumb, and instinct- 

 ively fiung its coils around his arms and neck, as is customary when the animal seized is of 

 considerable size. 



The keeper tried to force the Snake's head from its hold, but could not reach it, as he was 

 bound in the folds of the Snake. He then cast himself on the ground in order to battle to the 

 greatest advantage, but would probably have succumbed to the fearful pressure, had not two 

 keepers providentially entered the room, and by breaking away the Serpent's teeth released the 

 man from his terrible assailant. Except the fright and a few wounds from the Serpent's teeth, 

 no evil results ensued. The representation in our picture is one-tenth of the actual size 

 of the specimen from which it was drawn. 



