THE ECDYSES OF SNAKES. 337 



grows dim, and the invisible capsule over the surface of the eye 

 becomes distinctly visible as a thin whitish film. The Snake, 

 when about to cast its horny epidermis, rubs its snout on a 

 hard surface, by which the portions of the horny layer covering 

 the lips are first separated. This being done, the Snake usually 

 looks for a projecting point, on which, by the aid of its glutinous 

 saliva, it manages to fix the portion of the horny epidermis 

 detached from its lower lip, and gently pulls the whole horny 

 layer over inside out so skilfully that frequently not a single 

 break is made in the skin from head to tail. 



When the Snake has finished its ecdysis it looks bright and 

 lively, and, like a flash of lightning, darts forth from the spot 

 where it has cast off its scaly imprisonment. The newly-cast 

 skin does not preserve the coloration of the Snake, but it retains 

 every minute detail of the scales, shields, plates, and sometimes 

 even the pattern so distinctly, that the species of Snake to which 

 the skin belonged is frequently identified with very little or no 

 difficulty. 



The time the Ophidians take to cast the horny layer of their 

 epidermis is indefinite and very variable even in the same species. 

 I have now and then observed that younger Snakes usually cast 

 their epidermis more frequently than older ones, and that in 

 captivity this does not happen so often as when at large. 

 Adolescent and adult Snakes in captivity generally take from 

 one to two months, whereas full-grown and older Snakes take 

 from two to even six months. It is probable that aged Snakes 

 cast their epidermis only once in the year. The interval between 

 two successive moults is regulated as much by the modus vivendi 

 as by the age of the individual Snake. 



The cast skin is soft, delicate, and beautiful, but very light 

 and fragile. Among the natives of India it is regarded as a sure 

 sign of good luck by the orthodox people, who carefully preserve 

 it as a book-marker. Medicinally, it is believed to be very 

 useful in the treatment of ophthalmia. The newly-cast skin, 

 along with the fruit of the date-palm {Phoenix dactilifera) , if 

 internally given, is said to be an efficacious remedy in the 

 primary stages of leprosy. 



Bombay. 



Zool. 4th ser, vol. VII. , September, 1903. 2 D 



