ACCOUNT of a LARGE SNAKE. 251 



April 5. 1791. 



A snake of the fame fpecies was brought to Gomillah and 

 opened, from which a fawn was taken Hill larger than the one 

 juffc mentioned ; but the fnake was 10 feet 6 inches in length. 



It is the general opinion, that makes break the bones of 

 their prey before they fwallow it, if the animal be of any consi- 

 derable fize. This, however, I am difpofed to doubt, as in none 

 of the above inflances had the animal fuffered fuch offifraclion, 

 if I may be allowed the expreffion. The mechanifm of the 

 jaws, and the width of the gullet above defcribed, render 

 fuch violence unnecefTary. 



The animal is fwallowed very gradually, being firfr., I fu- 

 fped, well lubricated with flime, with which this kind of large 

 fnake appears abundantly provided. 



These circumltances may undoubtedly be deemed rather fa- 

 bulous by thofe who have never feen nor examined large makes » 

 But they are fads not to be denied, and are well authenticated 

 by every one who has had opportunities of feeing and opening 

 fuch fnakes. 



During Mr Leckie's refidence at Gomillah, I have learned 

 from undoubted authority, that a fnake of the above mentioned 

 fpecies was found dead, with the horns of a large deer flicking 

 in his throat, fuppofed to be the caufe of his death. The fnake 

 and the horns were both brought to Comillah in this fituation j 

 but in a putrid ftate. The fnake meafured above 17 feet in 

 length -, and the bones of it were afterwards fent to Me 

 Charles Collinson of Banleak. 



Vol. VI.— P. II. Ii VII., 



