THIS Serpent has been known to measure twenty and even thirty feet in length. Its colour is of a yellowish brown, marked with a series of large brown blotches, bordered with black. It is the largest of land serpents, and is found in Africa and India. The extent of its muscular power is truly wonderful. The buffalo and stag frequently become the victims of its rapacity, as well as smaller animals.

There is a story related of a sailor lying asleep on the beach, in the island of Celebes, who was killed by a Serpent thirty feet long, and as thick as a man's body. It seized the poor fellow by the waist, and coiled itself round his head, neck, breast, and thighs, as represented in the following cut, thus instantly crushing him to death.

This Serpent reduces its prey to one uniform mass, by crushing it with its spiral folds; it then lubricates the body with some mucilaginous substance, and, distending

its jaws, swallows it by one gradual and long continued

effort. When a stag has formed its meal, the horns, which it cannot swallow, are seen sticking out of its mouth. After it has gorged its food it is easily destroyed, as it remains for a length of time stupid and unwieldy, till the process of digestion is over, when it again issues forth from its retreat, to the terror of all the animals of the forest. The bite of this snake is not venomous.

THE ANACONDA.

THIS Snake, which is found in South America, resembles the former in its manner of destroying and swallowing its food. After a meal it remains in a state of torpor five or six weeks. A few years ago one of the serpents at the Tower in London, nearly blind, coiled itself round the neck and hand of Mr. Cops, its keeper, instead of the fowl which was presented to it, and had it not been for the vigorous exertions of the under keepers present it would have throttled him. It was so determined in its hold, that in disengaging it two of its teeth were broken off.

THIS Serpent is rendered terrible by the malignity of the poison which is contained in a gland near the roots of its tongue, and which is infused into the wound caused by the bite. This occasions death after a short space, unless counteracted by proper remedies. The usual length of this Snake is from four to six feet; the tail is furnished with a rattle formed of rings, which it shakes violently when it is disturbed, or in the pursuit of prey.

These Serpents are not known in the eastern continent, but are common in some parts of America. Fortunately they are inoffensive except when provoked, and their warning rattle gives notice of their approach. They feed on small quadrupeds and birds, which they are said to fascinate by their gaze; but the truth is, they terrify the objects selected for their attack to such a degree as to render them incapable of escape.

THE BLACK SNAKE.

THIS Snake is very common in America. Its colour is perfectly black; it is usually five or six feet long; is harmless, and destitute of venom. It feeds on birds, which, as well as the Rattlesnake, it is said to fascinate so completely that they tremble and flutter, and at length fall into its mouth. Its eye is brilliant and animated, and its motions remarkably agile and graceful. It climbs trees with surprising facility.

THIS Snake is a native of South America. There are many elegant varieties of this species, but the general colour is white, with brown transverse bars, which are very distinct on the back. The tail is very slender.

THE EGYPTIAN VIPER.

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THE length of this Serpent is from twenty inches to three feet. It is of a light brown colour variegated with rich chestnut spots or bands; its head is covered with very small scales, and its eyes are vertical. It is abundant in Egypt and many parts of Africa and Asia. Its bite is poisonous; but death produced by it is said to be devoid of pain and very speedy. Large quantities were formerly imported by the Venetians, who used them as one of the ingredients of that strange medical farrago called Venice treacle. This serpent is thought to be the same as the asp, which put an end to the existence of the celebrated queen of Egypt.

THE COMMON VIPER.

THIS Snake is abundant in Europe, and some parts of America. It is usually two or three feet in length. Its bite is very poisonous; but it never assails men or animals unless wounded or irritated, when it becomes furious. When held firmly by the tail, it cannot turn itself round enough to bite, as its head is the only part that can be