WILD ANIMALS IN CAPTIVITY 
OFFER OF £500 FOR A MONSTER BOA-CONSTRICTOR. 
The following letter appeared in Land and Water, 
June 16, 1877, from a correspondent in Venezuela, giving 
an account of an enormous serpent that existed in the 
neighbourhood of Maturin. The account was to my mind 
fabulous. 
“ Caraccas, Venezuela, 
A])ril 16, 1877. 
“ I saw an interesting account of an anaconda you have in 
the Zoological Gardens, Avhich appears to be considered of 
immense proportion., 
“ In the Eastern States and in the small rivers which flow into 
the Orinoco there are large numbers, much larger than the one 
the Society lias. About two leagues from a friend’s house at 
Maturin tliere is one living in a large pond, whose length is 
little short of 36 ft., and about a yard in diameter. My friend, 
Mr. G. F. Tucker, would no doubt be happy to give you 
further information, as he is desirous, and has been trying for 
some time past, to catch the reptile alive, which is very difficult, 
it being very shy. My friend has only seen his full length on 
two occasions, when he was able to take a fair measurement.” 
As I thought there could be no harm in taking notice of 
the statements, I accordingly wrote the following reply : — 
“ Should Mr. Cooke succeed in sending to England a living 
serpent of the dimensions given in his letter, I can assure him, 
if the animal arrives in anything like good condition, it would 
realize at least £500.” 
To this I received no answer. One day, however, a 
gentleman, whom, judging by his style and dress, I took 
to be a missionary, called at my office and asked to see 
me. “ Are you Mr. Bartlett ? ” said he, at the same time 
looking excited and angry. I replied, “ I am that indi- 
vidual.” 
“ You may perhaps call to mind that you wrote a letter 
in Land and Water offering £500 for a large serpent ? ” 
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