SNAKES — PYTHON. 
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found among them. The species, and varieties, 
and multiplicity of these is untold. Above 
and beneath ground, their name is legion ; 
whilst their sizes are as various as their forms. 
Amongst the Eeptiles, the Snakes, Adders, 
and Vipers are conspicuous; and, in very 
many instances, their bites and stings fatal and 
deadly. Of these we saw the seventeen follow- 
ing varieties. 
1. — The largest and most formidable was the 
" Python" or Boa Constrictor of Natal. These 
enormous snakes are frequently found in the 
districts of the New Colony, and along the up- 
per frontier of the South, or Old one, measur- 
ing from sixteen to twenty-five feet in length. 
They are large heavy reptiles, with bodies 
about six inches in diameter. They usually 
gorge themselves at a meal, and then lie for 
several days torpid and inanimate. While in 
this state, they are easily captured. In colour 
they are a light greenish brown, spotted with 
black. One measuring nineteen feet six inches 
in length, was brought from Africa, on board 
the same vessel with the author. Two days 
after leaving the Bay of JSTatal, it devoured a 
large fowl; and eleven days after that, two 
more. It then lay in a torpor for several days, 
and, when awakening from this, it cast its skin. 
By this time the vessel had crossed the line, 
