The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-11-18
srl,pENrs.

The public, we believe, are not generally
aware Of the cXistcncc in the Royal Mcna-
9cric at the Tower, or a very ING collection
Of that species of snake called tho Boa Con-
strictor. We we're induced to attend there
on Monday last, for the purpose fbeng wit
ness to the mode in which t.iesc animals re-
ccivc their sustcnancc, and TO discover how
far the description given BY various authors
OF their manner of diSpoSins OF their prey,
tallics with what might actually occur under
our own observation. The animal selected
by the keeper for the purpose, was the salS
est there, and measured, we'bclicye, 10 teet
in length, and inches i'll diameter III us
thckest part. Previous to receiving its
prey, it appeared very lively, and peered a
bout with its head in all directions, OCCASION
! in; it body TO assume those beautiful carva-
I tons, Of which the snake species are so Ca
pablc. On perceiving the approach of the
keeper with the rabbit destined for its meal,
it withdrew all appearance ofvigor and mo-
ton; but the moment the RABBIT was placed
in the care, it seized its head with so aston
ishingly rapid motion, that tic eye could
not keep pace with it and by simultane-
Gus action of its body, it compressed its folds
so tightly round the rabbit, as to crush every
bone that was within its grasp. This rapid
change was nervous TO behold, and a vivid
imagination could not but picture to itsclfthc
fearful scene of crushing and struggling
which the seizure of such an animal as a
deer or an OK, would create by a larger AMI
NAL of this species. That such SCENES have
occurred, we doubt not but until we wit
messed the conyulsivc but Intellectual stiug-
giles of the unfortunate rabbit IN the raven
Gus and gnarled grasp of the serpent ON this
occasion, our conception reached farther than
the common belief attached to the relation OF
the tremendous power of this species OF snake
70 enable the snake to gorge his prey with
the greater facility, he was removed into the
courtyard, when the glitterng of the sun
beams upon his purple scales, added much te
the interest and beauty of the spectacle
! When the rabbit was notionless, the snake
gradually loosened his folds, still retaining
his hold by the head and having fully as
ccrtainel the death of his victim, he pro-
ceeded to stretch the body Of the rabbit
! which he very curiously performed, Ii
drawing it by the head through ring form
ed from the folds his body; this he repeat
cd until the whole was 4 mass. -Atter luOrl
eating the head very much, but no othel
part, he protccded to swallow the rabbit
which action he accelerated by pushing i
d down his throat, against his own body, ant
: by strong rctraction and re-eXtcns.on o
the muscles which lay at tue DaCR Oh tll
: head by degrees the animal disappeared
i until nothing more was visible than a Ion!
i. lump in the snakes throat, which it lmpcile'
e forward by the action of the muscles, until
t reached the middle Of its body where it re
q NAMED. Such is the mode of this animal
: taking sustenancc and if we compare this ac
r count with those furnished By various writers
c and particularly with that given by Di
u Macleod of the Alcestc, We shall lind ther
4 differ is no wise except in the circumstanc
II of snakes emitting to lubricate the whole
II the body of its prey, which however, ma
ii have arisen from the dminutive s2e {
rs the object OH which it is fed; Tor the cas-
Ic with which the rabbit was gorged, was S
e great as to lead us to imagine that dog thrlc
$ the size would experience very little difficult
,f in obtaining temporary residence in the sci
i pent's NAV. There is also in this mcnegcrl'
: one of the most beautiful specimens of tn;
Il. harmless reptile, the Harlequin Snak'
% that was ever seen in this country, the vari(
l. ty and briliiancy OF whose colors are sue
J. as to excite the highest admiration i'll til
N yisitels. This is native OF Cey!on, an
Mt has been shown to his Majesty, who wa
c, likewise highly pleased with its beauty an
le vivacity.
>, PICTURE OE A DUTCH VILLAGE.