250 ACCOUNT of a LARGE SNAKE. 



The lower jaw confifts of two bones, connected anteriorly by 

 ilvin and ligaments,- windi admit of considerable difteniio n, fo 

 that the anterior ends can be feparated an inch from each 

 other. The pofierior extremity, or condyle of each lower jaw- 

 bone, is likewife connected to the head in fuch a manner, as to 

 allow of connderable feparation. The two bones which com- 

 pofe the upper jaw, are capable only of a very fmall degree of 

 feparation at the fyniphifis or anterior part. 



This lingular degree of laxity in the structure of the arti- 

 culations, permits of a degree of diftenfion which is incompa- 

 tible with the firmnefs requifite to perform the function of ma- 

 ftication. 



July 7. 1790. 



A snake of the allea fpecies was brought in, of a very un- 

 common thicknefs in proportion to its length, which induced 

 me to open it. A very large guana was extracted from the 

 gullet and riomach ; for the animal was gorged to the throat. 

 The guana, from the nofe to the tip of the tail, meafured 4 feet 

 3 inches, and in circumference round the belly 1 foot 6 inches; 

 and yet the make, after the guana was taken out, meafured 

 only 8 feet 6 inches in length. 



The circumference of this make is not given ; but if it bore 

 the fame proportion to its length that it did in the former 

 fnake, it would be nearly 10 inches. In this inftance, there- 

 fore, the fnake had fwallowed an animal of greater magnitude 

 than itfelf almoft in the proportion of 9 to 5. 



On the 16th of the fame month another fnake was brought 

 In, having nearly the fame appearance as the laft, but Hill 

 more diftended. It was opened while yet alive, and an entire 

 fawn of one year old extracted. The fawn meafured 1 foot 8 

 inches round the belly ; and the extreme length of the fnake 

 was only 9 feet 3 inches. 



April 



