Reptiles. 



7943 



would have succumbed under the grip of such a reptile as this. We 

 only wish it to be understood that it is small compared to the pytho- 

 ness. 



The great egg-laying event occurred four weeks ago. The phletho- 

 ric condition of the serpent occasioned uneasiness. Some supposed 

 that she had bolted a stray blanket ; it was considered whether some- 

 thing might not be done to relieve the great reptile, when she 

 extruded, as well as the keeper can estimate, about one hundred eggs. 

 These, enclosed in a white leather-like substance, are about the size 

 of those of a goose, the majority of a dirty white appearance, con- 

 nected by a membrane. Among them are two small red eggs, and 

 many are indented, probably by the great pressure of the serpent's 

 body. It is remarkable that this prolific extrusion of eggs, which 

 might be supposed to have exhausted the animal and consequently 

 excited hunger, has had apparently an opposite effect. At all events, 

 the reptile has not broken fast for twenty-three weeks, her husband 

 having, meanwhile, indulged in occasional rabbits. Indeed, the sight 

 of these animals, pleasantly provocative at other seasons, seemingly 

 only irritates the pythoness : a few days since, an unsuspecting rabbit 

 having frisked near her ladyship, she straightway seized it by the 

 throat and cast the affrighted beast savagely from her. And on more 

 than one occasion, when her husband, doubtless actuated by proper 

 paternal pride and feeling, approached his wife in order to see how 

 domestic matters were going on, she has, to use the keeper's words, 

 shouldered him away with one of her great coils, showing plainly that 

 by thus giving him the cold shoulder she prefers performing her ma- 

 ternal duties unassisted. Once, and once only, has the keeper seen 

 her absent from her interesting incubatory operation ; and then, before 

 he could get round to the back of the cage to have a better view of 

 the eggs, she was on them again. In fact, she much resembles an old 

 hen with a brood, puffed up by maternal pride and conceit, and is in 

 a highly excitable condition ; spiteful too, according to the keeper, 

 for she has struck more than once at objects outside the glass which 

 have irritated her. Though she does not eat, she drinks freely ; but 

 as water is near her, she is not obliged to leave her eggs to assuage 

 thirst. Having communicated these interesting particulars, the keeper 

 kindly went round to the back of the cage, opened the door and re- 

 moved the blanket cautiously. There, true enough, in direct oppo- 

 sition to the non-hatching theory, was the mighty pythoness in great 

 coils — 



" Fold above fold, a surgy maze, her head 

 Crested aloft," 



