The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-03-27 00:00:00

DEATH OF MR. JOHN MITCHELL.

Mr. John Mitchell died on Saturday morning the
20th) at the house of his brother-in-law, Mr. Hill
Irvine, near Newry. He had been suffering ever since
he arrived in Ireland from a chronic malady, and his
appearamea a few days ago in Dublin convinced all who
saw himt hat he had only come to lay his bones in his
native land.
Before the news of hi death reached Dublin a peti-
tion against his return for Tipperary had been lodged
in the Common Pleaq office on behalf of Mr. Moore,
impeaching Mr. Mitchell's election, on the ground of
his being an alien and an unpardoned felon.

NEW POISONOUS SNAKE AT THE
ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.
A wonderful poisonous snake, purchased from Mr.
Charles Jamraoh, the well-known animal dealer of St.
George's street, East, has just found a home in a cage
on the south-side of the snake house in the Zoological
Gardens. This is a snake-eating snake, hence called
Ophiophagus Elaps-Hamadryas Ophiophagus. Dr.
Fayrer, in his magnificent work on the "Thanotophidia,
or Venomous Snakes of the Indian Peninsula," has ably
described this creature. We learn (says the Daily News)
from this high authority that this most formidable of
poisonous snake is found, but not commonly, in India,
the Andaman and Phillipine Islands, &c. It is thelargest
and most formidable of known venomous snakes. It is
not only very powerful, but also active and aggressive.
Dr. Fayrer figures two specimens in the attitude of
striking in splendid plates drawn from life by native
artists. One specimen is seven feet nine and the
other eleven feet ten. The specimen in the Gardens
is over seven feet in length. The worst of the snake
is, he will not run away when attacked; he will not
only turn upon his enemy, but will pursue him. We
read in Dr. Fayrer's book :

"An intelligent Burman told me that a friend of his one
day stumbled upon a nest of these serpents, and imme-
diately retreated, but the old female gave chase. The
man fled with all speed over hill and dale, dingle and
glade, and terror seemed to add wings to his flight, till
reaching a small river he plunged in, hoping he had then
escaped his fiery enemy ; but lo ! on reaching the opposite
bank up reared the furious hamadryad, its dilated eyes
glistening with rage, ready to bury its fangs in his trembling
body. In utter despair he bethought himself of his turban,
and in a moment dashed it upon the serpent, which darted
upon it like lightning, and for some moments wreaked its
vengeance in furious bites, after which it returned quietly
to its former haunts."

The Bengali name is Sunkerchor, or breaker of
shells. It lives in the forest and grass jungles, is espe-
cially fond of hollow trees, and is a good climber.
The snake charmers in India prize it highly, but they
say it is exceedingly dangerous to catch, and difficult
to handle. The specimen at the Gardens is in ex-
cellent health. Shortly after his arrival ho was fed
by Holland, the keeper, who put an - ordinary
English snake into his cage; the ophiophagus
quickly devoured the English snake by bolting him
head first. In general appearance this new snake is
very like a common cobra, except that when he
spreads his hood he is seen to be marked in very
pretty bands not unlike the patterns on oil-cloth.
The head is somewhat almond-shaped, exceedingly
lizard-like, not flat and triangular like that of
the rattle-snake. When sitting up with his hood
expanded the snake is continually jerking his head in
a restless manner, reminding us of the quick darting
action of the common green lizard; his eye is exceed-
ingly clear and bright. When disturbed he hisses
loudly, and shows his temper by extending his long
blaA-forked tongue, which he vibrates with mar-
vellous celerity. The lower part of the window of
the cage now inhabited by this snake has been painted
;white, in order that his naturally hasty temper shall
be disturbed as little as possible by the morning calls
of visitors. The Queen, Princess Beatrice, and other
members of the Royal party examined the reptile on
Saturday last on the occasion of their visit to the
Gardens.

The Prince of "Wales, aocompanied by the ex-King
of Naples witnessed the boat-race from the umpire's steamer.