THE SNAKE-EATTNG HAMADRYAD. 101 



The next authority I consulted was Mr. Woods' volume on 

 Reptiles. This fascinating writer leaves few subjects wholly 

 untouched, through he of course also sacrifices detail to suit the 

 popular nature of his works. Taking his volume as we find it, 

 however, T was glad to come across the following notice of 

 our friend. 



" The serpent-eating Hamadryad or Hamadiyas elaps, is nota- 

 ble for the peculiarity from which it derives its name. It feeds 

 almost wholly on reptiles, devouring the lizards that inhabit the 

 same country, and also living largely on snakes. Dr. Cantor 

 says of this Serpent that it cannot bear starvation nearly so 

 well as most reptiles, requiring to be fed at least once a month. 

 { Two specimens in my possession were regularly fed by giving 

 them a serpent, no matter whether venomous or not, every fort- 

 night. As soon as this food is brought near, the serpent begins 

 to hiss loudly, and expanding its hood, rises two or three feet, 

 and retaining this attitude as if to take a sure aim, watching the 

 movements of the prey, darts upon it in the same manner as the 

 Naga Tripudians [i. e. the cobra) does. When the victim is 

 killed by poison, and by degrees swallowed,, the act is followed 

 by a lethargic state, lasting for about twelve hours." 



" The Hamadryad is fond of water, will drink, and likes to pass 

 the tongue rapidly through water as if to moisten that member. 

 It is a fierce and dangerous reptile, not only resisting when at- 

 tacked, but even pursuing- the foe should he retreat, a pi'oceediog 

 contrary to the general rule among serpents. The poison of this 

 creature is virulent in action, a fowl dying in fourteen minutes, 

 and a dog in less than three hours after receiving the fatal bite, 

 although the experiments were made in the cold season, when 

 the poison of venomous snakes is always rather inactive. The 

 poisonous secretion reddens litmus paper very slightly, and, as 

 is the case with most serpent poisons, loses its efficacy by being 

 exposed to the air. The native Indian name of the Hamadryad 

 is Sunkr Choar" 



" The colour of this snake is generally of an olive hue, anburn 

 and pale below, but there is a variety marked with cross-bands 

 of white. It is large species, varying from four to six feet in 

 length, while some specimens are said to reach ten feet." 



As might have been expected Dr. Fayrer's work gives far 

 more particular details, which I proceed to quote. They embody 

 all that is known of the Indian species : — " This is probably the 

 largest and most formidable venomous snake known. It grows 



