
DO SNAKES SWALLOW THEIR YOUNG? 137 
In a conversation with Professor Wyman some time since, 
that eminent physiologist stated that he did not know any 
reason why young snakes could not live for a time in the 
throat of the parent, and also called my attention to the 
prevalence of the belief in former times by a quotation from 
Spenser’s “Faerie Queene,” in the first canto : 
XIV. 
“ But, full of fire and greedy hardime 
The yonthfull Knight could not mi ki be staide; 
B 
By which he saw the ugly monster plaine, 
Halfe like a serpent horribly displaide, 
But th’ other halfe did womans shape retai 
Most lothsom, filthie, foule and full of vile isak 
XV. 
“And as she lay upon the durtie ground, 
Her huge long taile her den all overspred 
n as that uncouth light upon them shone, 
er pi mouth they crept, and suddain all were gone. 
* * * * * * * * 
hey saw so bidei falling to the ground, 
Groning full deadly all with troublous feare 
Gathred themselves about her body round, 
Weening their wonted entrance to have found 
At her wide mo uth; but being there withstood, 
They flocked all about her bleeding wound, 
And sucked up their dying mothers bloud ; 
aking her death their life, and eke her hurt their good.” 
We have quite recently received from Mr. Cooke, the 
editor of “Science-Gossip,” London, several of his instruc- 

gg while ee eta about he parent fish, are taken into the mouth of the parent, 
others ink that they enter at the genital open 
AMER. “Seba sg 18 

