326 BARBOUR: ZOOGEOGRAPHY. 



Epicrates gracilis (Fischer). 



Fischer, Jahrb. Hamburg, wiss. anst., 1888, 5, p. 35, pi. 3, fig. 8. Boulenger, Cat. snakes Brit, mus., 

 1893, 1, p. 98. 



This boa, which is said to be "blackish gray, somewhat lighter on the 

 belly," and having "six longitudinal series of small black spots," has evidently 

 a type of coloration very different from other species in the genus. Boulenger 

 suggests that it is "closely allied" to E. fordii; but to judge from the descrip- 

 tion, they seem to be very unlike. This is evidently a rare species, since up to 

 1893 no specimens had found their way to the British museum. It was described 

 from San Domingo, yet none of the collections from that island in the Museum 

 contain specimens. 



Epicrates angulifer Bibron. 



Bibron, Sagra's Hist. Cuba. Rept., 1843, p. 215, pi. 25. Boulenger, Cat. snakes Brit, mus., 1893, 1, 

 p. 96. 



The "majase," or "maja," as the Cuban boa is called locally, is still common 

 in many regions of the island. Miller, quoting Palmer's field notes (Proc. U. S. 

 nat. mus., 1904, 27, p. 346) says, in speaking of the great bat caves about Bara- 

 coa and Guanajay, "The people of the neighborhood assured me that the majas 

 (the Cuban boa, Epicrates angulifer) coil themselves among these Toots [of the 

 trees near the mouth of the cave], and grab at the bats as they fly out. I was 

 told that a snake frequently secures a bat in this manner." I have also heard 

 this tale. 



This is far the largest member of the genus. It grows commonly to be 

 twelve feet long and to be as large in circumference as any boa, or as a Python 

 of far greater length. Gundlach records individuals of five and seven yards 

 length. Such specimens would be excessively rare now owing to the persecution 

 which the species has undergone with the increasing population and cultivation 

 of the island. I got two living specimens near Havana, which were singularly 

 intractable; and the species is characterized by its very bad temper. I have 

 seen other specimens elsewhere. It is wide spread and common. 



■ ».,■....■. , J 



Boa hortulana Linne. 

 Linne, Syst. nat. ed. 10, 1758, 1, p. 215. Boulenger, Cat. snakes Brit, mus., 1893, 1, p. 101-102. 



Dr. Allen brought back three examples of this arboreal species, all of them 

 taken near St. George's. Garman (Proc. Amer. philos. soc, 1887, 24, p. 279) 

 records specimens from Trinidad, Grenada, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines. 



