286 



ON SNAKES. 



" when out the hellish legion sallied," away went 

 Tarn O'Shanter. In the meantime, Dr. Hobson, 

 with his wonted presence of mind, had gently 

 pressed down the lid of the box, upon the back 

 of the snake, which, with a little help on my part, 

 was easily coaxed into the prison whence it had 

 wished to escape. 



The remainder of the story is soon told. 



Our professional gentlemen, who had fled from 

 the scene of apparent danger, returned into the 

 room, after having been assured that all was right. 



I now approached the box, and quietly opened 

 the door. On this, the snakes began to move 

 their rattles, but kept their mouths quite shut. 

 Fearing no harm, I softly placed my hand behind 

 the head of the snake which was nearest to me, 

 and silently transferred it to the other cage. The 

 remaining seven-and-twenty were soon disposed 

 of in a similar manner. 



All that I have to add, is, that the rabbits and 

 the guinea-pigs expired in a few minutes, under 

 the influence of the wourali poison : but, that those 

 which were bitten by the rattlesnakes, struggled 

 with death for a longer time. They sank at last, 

 with a few convulsive struggles. 



In writing these zoological notes, my chief object 

 has been to cast a ray of light on sundry dark 



