156 ORGANIC EVOLUTION — MENTAL 



gradually to come near, but the entrance of my host and 

 hostess, followed by two charming little children, put me 

 at my ease again. After the first interchange of civilities, 

 she and the children went at once to the boa, and, calling 

 it by the most endearing names, allowed it to twine itself 

 most gracefully round about them. I sat talking for a 

 long time, lost in wonder at the picture before me. 

 Two beautiful little girls with their charming mother 

 sat before me with a boa-constrictor (as thick round as a 

 small tree) twining playfully round the lady's waist and 

 neck, and forming a kind of turban round her head, 

 expecting to be petted and made much of, like a kitten. 

 The children over and over agaiir took its head in their 

 hands and kissed its mouth, pushing aside its forked 

 tongue in doing so. The animal seemed much pleased, 

 but kept turning its head continually towards me with a 

 curious gaze, until I allowed it to nestle its head for a 

 moment up my sleeve. Nothing could be prettier than 



to see this splendid serpent coiled all round Mrs. M , 



while she moved about the room, and when she stood to 

 pour out coffee. He seemed to adjust his weight so nicely, 

 and every coil with its beautiful marking was relieved 

 by the black velvet dress of the lady. It was long before 

 I could make up my mind to end the visit, and I returned 

 soon after with a friend (a distinguished M.P.) to see 

 my snake-taming acquaintance again. . . 



"These (the snakes) seemed very obedient, and 

 remained in their cupboard when told to do so. 



" About a year ago Mr. and Mrs. M were away 



for six weeks, and left the boa in charge of a keeper at 

 the Zoo. The poor reptile moped, slept, and refused to 

 be comforted, but when his master and mistress appeared 

 he sprang upon them with delight, coiling himself round 

 them, and showing every symptom of intense delight," 

 — Severn, a distinguished artist, in a letter to the Times, 

 quoted by Professor Romanes. Ihid. pp. 260-1. 



We see, then, that animals so low in the scale of life 

 as oysters, snails, and insects exhibit some power of 

 acquiring mental traits, of varying mentally in response 



