§0, SKETCH OF AN UN DESCRIBED 



The natives say, that individuals are found upwards of twelve feet 

 in length ; at all events this Serpent for a venomous one is remarkable for 

 its size, which, even if attained by any of the others hitherto described, is 

 certainly not surpassed. In general these reptiles are of a comparative 

 small size, and perhaps the greatest ever described is a species of Daudin's 

 genus JBungarus, which attains according to Cuvier seven or eight feet 

 (Regne Animal II. p. 96). Another venomous Serpent, generally reckoned 

 amongst the greatest, is Vipera lanceolata, Daudin, Trigonocephalus 

 lanceolatus, Oppel, the size of which is six to seven feet; that one has ever 

 been seen upwards of nine feet, is considered very doubtful (Diction des sc. 

 nat. LV". p. 302.) Three of the above-mentioned specimens were caught 

 in the Sunderbuns, the fourth in the jungle not far from Calcutta. Accord- 

 ing to the natives, this Serpent chiefly feeds upon other Serpents ; two 

 specimens in my possession were regularly fed by giving them a living 

 Serpent, no matter whether venomous or not, every fortnight. ) As soon as 

 this food is brought near, the Serpent begins to hiss loudly, and expanding 

 the hood raises about two or three feet, and darts upon its prey just in the 

 same way, as the Naja tripucliam does. Dr. Russell says, (I. p. 85), he 

 could never induce the venomous Snakes to feed spontaneously. I have had 

 various opportunities of verifying this with the Naja tripudians, Vipera 

 elegans, Daudin, Bungarus annularis Daudin. The Hamadryas only 

 makes an exception. This, however, is not the case with those venomous 

 Serpents armed with fangs behind the maxillar teeth, (a crochets posteri- 

 eurs), which I have had opportunity to observe, viz. Cerberus Grantii 

 mihi and Potamophis Lushingtonii mihi, both of which readily enough 

 swallow their food. 



) The Snake-catcliers before they feed Serpents, kept in cages, are accustomed to give 

 tliem a quantity of water, which is readily swallowed. As I have witnessed this fact very often, 

 I cannot help remarking how perfectly wrong the physiologists are, who state, that Ophidians 

 never drink. On the contrary, these animals both drink and moisten their tongues, which, 

 with the Serpents whose tongues are not situated immediately in the cavity of the mouth, 

 become two quite different acts. 



