184 SNAKES OF CEYLON. 



\yere2,472and2,490mm.(8f6etliinoh,and8feet2inches). The 

 former had the tail slightly deficient, and might have another 

 inch added. Specimens over 7 feet are decidedly uncommon. 

 Mr. Pratt told me of a specimen he killed in Guzarat measuring 

 2,643 mm. (8 feet 8 inches). Mr. McDougall some years ago 

 told me of a specimen he killed at Myitkyina, Burma, which he 

 and Lieut. Pritchard measured, and which taped 3,038 mm. 

 (9 feet 1 1 \ inches). Abercromby has recorded some remarkable 

 lengths from Ceylon, viz., 2,897, 2,967, and 3,050 mm. (9 feet 

 6 inches, 9 feet 8| inches, and 10 feet). Mr. Pearless supports 

 this evidence by sayingthat on three occasions he has measured 

 Ceylon ratsnakes over 10 feet in length. The brood hatched 

 in Colombo already alluded to were considerably longer than 

 Indian hatchlings. Mr. Millard wrote to me of a specimen 

 killed at Mahim, which was 3,583 mm. (11 feet 9 inches). 



It seems to me these very extraordinary specimens are 

 examples of gigantism. 



Foes. — The Burmese, and many of the wild tribes inhabiting 

 India, eat the dhaman whenever opportunity offers. 



I have more than once known a mongoose tackle and over- 

 power one. In Jhelum I saw a mongoose in my compound, 

 evidently hampered by something it was carrying, which when 

 I pursued it dropped. It proved to be a dhaman 3 feet 6 

 inches long. The snake had been seized by the back of the 

 head, and was being dragged along, in spite of every endeavour 

 to free itself. After killing it I examined the head, and found 

 several teeth had pierced the skull. 



Serpent eagles frequently pounce upon and carry ratsnakes 

 aloft. 



Ophiophagous snakes, like the hamadryad (Naia bungarus) 

 and kraits {Bungarus cseruleus), prey upon the dhaman, 

 among other snakes. 



I have seen a small spirit specimen in the Madras Museum 

 being engulfed by a large bull frog (Rana tigrina). 



Legends. — There are various legends connected with this 

 snake. In some parts it is addicted to sucking cows, and 

 apropos of this, it is very remarkable that a feat so manifestly 

 impossible when the snake's mouth is examined should have 

 received credence in many countries in relation to several 



