74 
have since been observed to possess this strange power. The smooth 
blenny, abundant in our rock pools at low tide, may be cited as an 
example. The common chamreleon is a native of Africa and India, 
and feeds exclusively upon soft-bodied moving creatures, as insects 
and spiders (6 to 12 inches). 
The Common Boa is the snake usually depicted in the old 
natural history books swallowing an ox or some animal of such 
dimensions. Though it not infrequently reaches a length of a dozen 
feet, such prey is quite beyond its mastery. However, this snake 
has been known to swallow a small antelope or a fair-sized dog, but 
rats and birds are the common prey. In the South American forests 
which constitute its home the day time is passed in a lethargic 
condition among the boughs of trees to which its body bears a great 
resemblance. But when night comes on, it becomes very active and 
ever ready to seize any unfortunate rat which indiscreetly ventures 
too near the supposed branch. Before swallowing, the prey is 
cru.shed to death in the powerful coils of the reptile. In spite of 
their great strength these snakes are singularly good-tempered and 
make admirable pets. The one photographed was nearly eight feet 
long, and though it strongly resented “sitting" for the camera, it 
never once tried to use its formidable teeth when it was being made 
to assume a suitable attitude (8 to 12 feet' 
The Ringed Snake is one of the three British ophidians, only 
one of which, the viper or adder, is poisonous. As the staple diet 
is frogs, it is commonly met with in the neighbourhood of water 
between the months of April and September. Toads seem to be 
invariably refused, but newts and fi.sh are greeo.Iy swallowed when 
opportunity affords them. This snake may be easily distinguished 
from the viper, to which it reallv bears very little resemblance, by 
the yellow coloured mark just behind the head. Besides the olive 
colour of the snake is quite different from the reddish brown of the 
adder. On account of this yellow blotch just referred to the creature 
has been called the Collared Snake, while Grass Snake and British 
Water Snake are two others of its appellations. The Ringed Snake 
makes a very good vivarium specimen, as it will, of course, stand 
our vacillating climate quite well and being exceedingly handsome is 
a real acquisition there. The ground colour, though very variable, 
is usually an olive green, marked with several rows of dark patches. 
The ventral surface is bluish in light specimens and almost black in 
darker varieties. This snake altogether lacks the dark zigzag chain 
of markings invariably found down the back of the viper. As this 
creature is neither poisonous nor a constrictor, it is unable to kill its 
prey and therefore always swallows the victims alive (2 to 4 feet). 
The Dice Snake is closely allied to the gra.ss snake which it 
resembles in habits in almost every particular. Though it does not 
occur in Britain, like the la.st species, it is found abundantly all over 
the Continent. Though quite innocuous, brown varieties of it some- 
times resemble the viper, but a closer examination will quickly 
dispel all doubt on the subject. It always lacks the yellow collar of 
the grass snake, and the ground colour ranges from dull green 
above with a bluish tint below to reddish brown on the back with a 
pinkish ventral surface. It is quite as hardy as the grass snake and 
will live as well in captivity where it should be fed on lire newts and 
fish (2 to 3 feet). 
The Dark Green Snake is a native of Southern Europe. It is 
often called the Angry Snake on account of its habit, when wild, of 
