ZOOLOGY. 



155 



arose early, purposing to reach , before the sun had ac- 

 quired any considerable altitude, but an occurrence of a 

 nature perfectly novel, (to us) completely frustrated our 

 operations for the day. On advancing towards a sr.iaU wood 

 in the front of which was a large clump of high grass, and 

 canes, our ears were suddenly assailed by the cry of 

 some Animal, evidently in great distress, on turning our at- 

 tention towards the spot from wbence the noise continued to 

 proceed, we had an indistinct view cf some Animal, writhing 

 on the ground, whilst at the same time, the trunk of a tree 

 close by the spot, seemed as if it were being stripped of its 

 bark ; our guides were in the greatest terror, and assured us it 

 was an enormous Snake, that had entwined itself round the 

 trunk of a tree, to await the approach of some Aaimal, 

 which is the constant practice of this and other large species ; 

 on being convinced of the truth of their assertion, we all 

 loaded our pieces, and after many entreaties, accompanied 

 with threats, our guides were induced to advance with us ; 

 after some difficulty, owing to the unevenness of the ground, 

 and the fear of encountering one of the enormous animals 

 unawares, we arrived unperceived by the Snake, v Uhin 

 fifty yards of it, but too late to rescue its vic<^l>Ti ; the Snake 

 appeared to be licking with its tongue the luViess body of 

 some Animal, but of what kind we could not ascertain, 

 though from its possessing horns, we concleded it to be somo 

 large species of Deer. 



Having agreed to fire singly, that we m]i;ht with more cer- 

 tainty observe if the ball took effect ; a shot was fired, which 

 evidently struck it, as it made a sudden bouh I, but did not 

 quit its position, it coptinued gazing towards the spot where 



