348 THE DESCENT OF MAN. 



conceal them; and this is still more doubtful with the many for- 

 eign species which are colored with extreme elegance. The col- 

 ors of certain species are very different in the adult and young 

 snakes."" 



During the breeding-season the anal scent-glands of snakes are 

 in active function;"' and so it is with the same glands in lizards, 

 and as we have seen with the submaxillary glands of crocodiles. 

 As the males of most animals search for the females, these odorif- 

 erous glands probably serve to excite or charm the female, rather 

 tiian to guide her to the spot where the male may be found. Male 

 snakes, though appearing so sluggish, are amorous; for many 

 have been observed crowding round the same fetiiale, and even 

 round her dead body. They are not known to fight together from 

 rivalry. Their intellectual powers are higher than might have 

 been anticipated. In the Zoological Gardens they soon learn not 

 to strike at the iron bar with which their cages are cleaned; and 

 Dr. Keen of Philadelphia informs me that some snakes which he 

 kept, learned after four or five times to avoid a noose, with which 

 they were at first easily caught. An excellent observer in Ceylon, 

 Mr. B. Layard, saw" a cobra thrust its head through a narrow hole 

 and swallow a toad. "With this encumbrance he eould not with- 

 "draw himself; finding this, lie reluctantly disgorged the precious 

 "morsel, which began to move off; this was too much for snake 

 "philosophy to bear, and the toad was again seized, and again 

 "was the snake, after violent efforts to escape, compelled to part 

 "with its prey. This time, however, a lesson had been learnt, 

 "and the toad was seized by one leg, withdrawn, and then swal- 

 "lowed in triumph." 



The keeper in the Zoological Gardens is positive that certain 

 snakes, for instance Crotalus and Python, distinguish him from 

 all other persons. Cobras kept together in the same cage appar- 

 ently feel some attachment towards each other." 



It does not, however, follow because snakes have some reason- 

 ing power, strong passions and mutual affection, that they should 

 likewise be endowed with sufficient taste to admire brilliant colors 

 in their partners, so as to lead to the adornment of the species 

 through sexual selection. Nevertheless, it is difficult to account 

 in any other manner for the extreme beauty of certain species; 

 for instance, of the coral-snakes of S. America, which are of a 

 rich red with black and yellow transverse bands. I well remember 



5» Dr. Stoliczka, 'Journal of Asiatic Soc. of Bengal,' vol. xxxix. 1870. 

 pp. 205, 211. 



60 Owen, 'Anatomy of Vertebrates,' vol. i. 1866, p. 615. 



«» 'Ilambles in Ceylon,' in 'Annals and Mag. of Nat. Hist.' 2ncl series, 

 vol. ix. 1S52, p. 333. 



«i Dr. Cunther, 'Reptiles of Britisli India," 1864, p. 340. 



