REPTILES. 



293 



had lasted about five minutes, the second found means to 

 disengage itself from the first, and hurried towards the 

 ditch. Its antagonist instantly assumed a new posture, 

 and, half creeping, half-erect, with a majestic mein, over- 

 took and attacked the other again, which placed itself in a 

 similar attitude, and prepared to resist. The scene was 

 uncommon and beautiful ; for, thus opposed, they fought 

 with their jaws, biting each other with the utmost rage ; 

 but, notwithstanding this appearance of mutual courage 

 and fury, the Water Snake still seemed desirous of retreat- 

 ing towards the ditch, its natural element. This was no 

 sooner perceived by the keen-eyed Black one, than, twisting 

 its tail twice round a stalk of hemp, and seizing its adver- 

 sary by the throat, not by means of its jaws, but by twist- 

 ing its own neck twice round that of the Water Snake, he 

 pulled it back from the ditch. To prevent a defeat, the 

 latter took hold likewise of a stalk on the bank, and, by 

 the acquisition of that point of resistance, became a match 

 for his fierce antagonist. Strange was this to behold; two 

 great Snakes strongly adhering to the ground, mutually 

 fastened together by means of the writhings which lashed 

 them to each other, and stretched at their full length; 

 they pulled, but pulled in vain ; and, in the moments of 

 greatest exertion, that part of their bodies which was en- 

 twined seemed extremely small, while the rest appeared 

 inflated, and now and then convulsed with strong undula- 

 tions rapidly following each other. Their eyes appeared 

 on fire, and ready to start out of their heads. At one time 

 the conflict seemed decided j the Water Snake bent itself 

 into great folds, and by that operation rendered the other 

 more than commonly outstretched ; the next minute the 



