232 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
the converse would no doubt hold good if the male was not conspicuously 
coloured. 
In ‘ Timehri,’ the Journal of the Royal Agricultural and Commercial 
Society of British Guiana, Mr. J. J. Quelch has published an excellent 
contribution to our knowledge of ‘‘ The Boa-Constrictors of British Guiana.” 
We may quote the following statements as being of general interest to 
zoologists :— 
‘‘Tn size this Water-Boa seems to exceed all other snakes, and it would 
appear to be more deserving of the ancient name Anaconda than the 
eastern forms to which it was first applied. In fact, it may be said that 
the name is almost limited nowadays to this tropical American species. 
The length is known to reach 37 ft., but it is said that much larger speci- 
mens have been taken. On this point, however, it is hardly safe to express 
an opinion, since unless definite measurements are made the estimate of — 
size can be of little value. A cass in point, which would suggest caution in 
accepting the great lengths ascribed to certain animals, may be quoted from 
the writer’s experience as regards the large Black Alligator, locally known 
as Caiman (Alligator niger). The length of this form is given by various 
travellers in the colony—as, for instance, by both Brown and Schomburgk— 
as from 20 to 25 ft., Waterton even recording 30 ft.; but there is no state- 
ment of actual measurement. In the writer’s experience the largest forms 
of this species, taken in the very districts referred to by the fore-mentioned 
travellers, hardly exceeded 14 ft., though when seen in the water they 
appeared to be considerably larger. A similar example may be found in 
the great Arapaima Fish (Arapaima gigas), which is recorded as from 16 to 
18 ft. in length, while in reality they hardly attain to more than half that 
size. Actual measurement is requisite in all such cases. 
“Skins of the Water-Boa of from 18 to 25 ft. in length are frequently 
obtained, and in the sheltered swamps and along the creeks in the recesses 
of the forests it may well be that considerably larger animals would be met 
with. The following experience along the higher Essequibo River tends to — 
support this. In 1894, while passing by a wide outgrowth of closely-matted 
grass from the swampy bank, the boat disturbed an enormous Snake, of 
which the head, neck, and part of the body were clearly seen at a distance 
of certainly not more than five feet. It was noticeable that the head was 
considerably more than twice as large as that of one of about 20 ft., and 
this seems to indicate a Snake of very large proportions. The unfortunate 
part of the matter is that Snakes of very great size are most likely to be 
seen in places where u aE out of the question to secure them, as it happeray 
in this particular case.’ 
