pi 
[September, 
760 í Animal Traits. 
_.‘. When we were at length housed the kitten had fully matured, 
= and the ancestral experiences registered in its nervous apparatus 
were supplemented, or at least confirmed, by many of its own. It 
took possession at once, explored every nook and corner, routed 
the mice, and proceeded to enjoy life. 
rs 
One morning as I was digging a post-hole inthe sand, a large 
snake made its appearance near by in the bushes. It remained 
through the day in sight, and seemed to be greatly interested in 
what was going on. The next day it was on hand and remained 
as before. It became more and more familiar, would approach to 
__ within a few feet of my person, examine each hole as it was dug, 
r and interview the spade, stuck upright into the sand, by putting its 
head through the hand-hole and coiling and uncoiling about the 
handle. It seemed to invite companionship, and to regard me 
with intense curiosity as a unique specimen for investigation. It 
was non-venomous evidently, a Watrix torquata or coluber proba- 
bly, but a native said, “hits a coachwip,” and “coachwhip” it 
was from that time. It finally became a tenant-at-will, had the 
freedom of the house and grounds, and was an object of never- 
ceasing interest. Its curiosity was simply unbounded, and -any 
= hour of the day or night it was on hand to assist in whatever 
; enterprise was in progress. When its acquaintance was first made — 
I was interested in what puss would think of the new-comer. A 
contest was expected, but to my complete surprise neither snake 
‘nor cat took the least notice of each other. The cat was, how- 
ever, mistress of the situation, for when coachwhip came too neat 
was boxed away, gently at first, with more and more claw in 
each succeeding tap until it obeyed. If the snake was hurt it at 
least simulated anger very closely, making sham onsets, gather- : 
itself up as if to dart suddenly on its foe, quivering its head 
oscillating to and fro in a forbidding manner. It was really 
inches in diameter in the thickest part, and when in Soe 
seemed formidable ; but puss paid no attention to the fuss, shat- 
ing her eyes and sleeping in the midst of it all. 
w 
k in the still- 
ht and see the coluber’s bright eyes, a foot above 
