520 THE BOA. 



be nearly cut off, and the entrails taken out, it will still move 

 about for a considerable time. It is detested by the farmers 

 on the banks, as it has the habit of carrying off poultry, 

 young calves, or any animal it can get within reach of. It 

 is often seen coiled up in the corner of farm-yards, waiting for 

 its prey. 



The statement that the anaconda kills its prey by its pes- 

 tilent breath, is wholly fabulous. Waterton altogether denies 

 the existence of any odour in the snake's breath. It is pos- 

 sible, however, that some species may produce a horrible stench, 

 from a substance secreted in certain glands near the tail — a 

 fact which has probably given rise to the fable 



THE BOA. 



Among the semi-civilized, idolatrous inhabitants of the con- 

 tinent, several snakes were objects of worship. The boa- 

 constrictor especially was regarded as an emblem of strength 

 and power, from its vast size, and the fearful effect produced 

 by its encircling coils as it winds itself round the body of its 

 victim. 



See the creature as its shining body moves rapidly among the 

 fallen leaves and dried husks in the forest, rather like a stream 

 of brown liquid than a serpent, with skin of varied colours ! 

 Onwards it goes, with scarcely a perceptible serpentine move- 

 ment. Even the huge trunk of a fallen tree does not stop it, 

 but it glides over the impediment in its undeviating course, 

 making the dry twigs crack and fly off with its weight. Now 

 it stops, watching for its prey. An agouti runs by, regard- 

 less of the seeming rivulet ; but the hapless creature is 

 seized by the serpent's jaws, and those terrible folds surround- 

 ing the body — coil above coil — crush the bones, till it be- 



