122 



THE KINGED BOA. 



to knock him on the head with a dead branch which happened to be near roe. I believed him 

 to have been killed outright ; but on conducting a naturalist to the 



scene on the following 



morning the Snake had vanished, a fact which, combined with subsequent experience of the 

 Snake nature, induces me to believe that he was merely stunned by the blow, and became 



refreshed during the cool of the evening 



after which he retreated to his stronghold." 



The color of the Natal Rock Snake is olive, variegated with yellow cross-bands and spots, 

 edged with deep black. The head is marked with an arrow-headed spot, and a dark streak 

 runs from the back of the eye. The under parts and the sides of the face are yellow. 



There are several other species inhabiting Africa, resembling the preceding creature in 

 general habits and appearance. 



The splendid Ringed Boa of America, sometimes called the Aboma, has been celebrated 

 for its destructive powers, and in ancient times was worshipped by the Mexicans and propi- 

 tiated with human sacrifices. Naturally, the people of the country would feel disposed to 

 awe in the presence of the mighty Snake whose prowess was so well known by many fatal 

 experiences ; and this disposition was fostered by the priests of the Serpent deity, who had 



DOG-HEADED BOA.— Xip/iosoma caidnum. 



succeeded in taming several of these giant Snakes, and teaching them to glide over and around 

 them, as if extending their protection to men endowed with such supernatural powers. 



This Serpent destroys its prey, after the fashion of its family, merely by squeezing it to 

 death between its folds. While thus engaged, the reptile does not coil itself spirally round 

 the victim, but wraps fold over fold, to increase its power, just as we aid the grasping strength 



