98 
ON THE PHYSIOOHOMT OE SEKPEHTS. 
the sea-serpents, that shew themselves in immense shoals 
on the surface of the ocean. The venomous land-snakes, 
on the contrary, of which the number is infinitely more 
confined, seek less frequently the society of their kind, 
and keep themselves isolated in the midst of the solitudes 
they inhabit. 
Serpents have among themselves various relations in 
their manners and habits. Almost all have a disposition 
stupid, timid, and wild ; but when domesticated, they soon 
contract very mild manners, the venomous species always 
excepted, their intractable disposition preventing them from 
changing their ferocious character. Yet there are serpents, 
both venomous and innocuous, that scarcely ever make 
use of their weapons, except to defend themselves against 
aggressors ; such, among the former, are the Hydrophis 
and the Elaps, among the latter, many Colubri, the Tropi- 
donotus, and some others. This facility of being tamed is 
particularly natural to the larger species of the family of 
Boas, that after being captured never hurt any one.^ Other 
species refuse to take any food, and become the victims of 
their obstinacy ; but it would seem that by a treatment 
conformable to their necessities, it is possible to render 
captivity supportable to the majority of these reptiles. 
The true venomous serpents, the burrowing snakes, and 
many species of other genera, have a very sluggish and 
tranquil disposition : thus their progressive movements are 
executed with slowness ; but the majority of Ophidians are 
alert, and all their movements announce a surprising force 
and agility ; their celerity has been exaggerated, which is 
never so considerable that a man cannot easily escape from 
them. 
M. Dieperkikk writes me from Paramaribo, that he constantly 
keeps in his house several Boas of different species, that live in perfect 
harmony with each other, and other domestic animals. Professor Rein- 
WARDT, however, has witnessed at Java a spectacle which proves that it 
is not always right to trust to these animals. A Javanese had carried 
to the house of M. Van ber Capelle a large Python, and wishing to 
make it come out of the basket in which it was, the serpent, by a single 
stroke, gave him a very considerable wound, laying open his forearm 
through all its length. 
