THE GREEN BOA. 
Xiphosoma caninum. 
Plate L. 
The term Boa is generally used for the whole family of Boidce, the most highly organized division of the non- 
venomous Snakes. The Pythons of the Old World are the largest in dimension of this group, though in 
colouring they are perhaps surpassed by the fine Boas of the New World. Amongst the latter the present 
Green Boa, an example of which was living for a short time in the Society’s Menagerie some years since, is 
remarkable for elegance of shape and beauty of colour. 
The stronghold of the Boas is the tropical forest, where they hang coiled upon the gigantic trees which 
overhang a pool or river. They feed at intervals more or less protracted, depending on the size of their last 
victim, and the temperature in which they are placed. The organization of the Boas is directed to the 
slaughter of their prey by compression, and to this end are given them the enormous dimensions and power of 
muscle, which, even in the comparatively undeveloped specimens seen in our Menageries, excite our admiration 
and our wonder. 
The Green Boa inhabits the tropical forests of the continent of South America, extending from Guiana 
into Brazil, as far south as Rio de Janeiro. It does not attain to the great size of some of the Pythons, the 
largest individuals in the collection of the British Museum not much exceeding four feet in length. It appears 
to be a good swimmer and fond of the water. Spix, in his work on Brazilian Serpents, mentions that he 
captured a specimen of it in the middle of the Rio Negro, and M. M. Dumeril and Bibron speak of an indivi¬ 
dual of this species having been observed swimming in the harbour of Rio. 
