, 1864-01-16
Snakes ana their Prev.

L WuS OuJ buOUtkuk, NEltCS u SCubiCHlttui
resident in the colony Of Port Natal, to a
friend in England, and observing All oree-
beo, "a small red buck) l endeayored to up
proach it near enough to secure shot; and
making circuit came up towards it,
keeping small hill between myself and
the buck, until I thought might venture
to look out and sec the whereabouts Of my
intended game. What was my surprise
when found that the animal had not
moved since I first saw it, and was then
standing in a peculiar attitude, perfectly
motionless and not twenty yards off. These
little creatures have extraordinary sight,
are very timid, rendering it very difficulty
to approach within hundred yards, unless
you surprise them while sleeping in long
grass. I stood watching the buck for some
time, at first supposing it to be sick. /
then thought would see how near could
get; and there being an ant heap close be-
side tho buck, l approached, and, on look
ing over the mound, saw the head of large
boa-constrictor lying just out of hole un-
der the heap; and the buck stood with its
head turned on one side, in an awkward
position gazing intently on its deadly enc
my, and not in the least aware of my vi
cinity. / retreated cautiously, fearing to
break the spell, and wishing to watch the
last act in this singular mesmeric drama.
The buck must have remained ut least
five minutes in this transfxed position, the
hair. of its back erect, its eyes dilated, and
its attitude stiff and unnatural. Suddenly
| saw it on the ground, the thick black
coils of the boa enfolding its body and legs.
l fired instantly, and the reptile slowly un-
wound itself, compelled to succumb to a
power more terrible than his own. My
gun has one barrel rifed, the other smooth
bore for shot, l had discharged shot only,
not being far of, and the body Of the snake
was nearly severed; yet in the short instant
during which he had embraced his prey he
had broken every bone Of the pretty crea-
lures body. measured the snake, and
found its length to be eighteen feet nine
inches.
The eye Of the boa is very peculiar
while mesmcrizing its prey; it almost ap-
pears to emit flame. 1t may be compared
to an amethyst or ruby, or both, with an
emerald stuck together, and rapidly revolv-
ing in the sun. Its mouth was closed or
nearly SO, and its long tongue darting from
side to side, as il in greedy anticipation Of
the dish Of venison which awaited its de-
vouring jaws.
On another occasion, l watched smaller
boa, about eight feet long, whilst engaged in
the act Of swallowing fowl. Itfrst seized
the head, and appeared to swallow with
great difficulty, making convulsive efforts,
observable from the rings Of its tailupwards.
After some hard struggles, the head and
neck Of the fowl disappeared, but the wings
being extended, presented rather serious
impediment to further proceedings; and l
was curious to see how the snake would get
over his difficulties, for even q juggler
would be nonplussed If required to swallow
knives and forks crossways, and I soon
found that he was quite equal to the cmer-
gency. After o series Of painful efforts,
tantnlixing, doubtless, TO a hungry boa, the
reptile brought his tail to the rescue; ex-
tremes met, and, folding the wings together,
he at last forced the body Of the fowl be-
tween his jaws. He now, however, seemed
to have got himself in a greater kx than
ever. The distension caused his neck TO
appear only as thick as my thumb, and from
the form and setting Of his teeth he could
not disgorge his Brobdingnag mouthful,
and l began to think that his snakeship had
really more than he knew what to do with.
Not bit Of il. After resting q minute
or two, he coiled round his distended jaws,
and commenced an ingenious process Of
compression, beginning at his head and
working downwards along the neck and
body-stufing himself as you would sau-
sage-till he had completed this extraCr-
dinary maneuvre Of deglutition. The
whole operation lasted about twenty min
utes, and, l must confess, seemed anything
but a gratifying mode Of appcasing the an
imal appetite.
1 captured this boa, and kept him some
time in cask, and ultimately gave him to
friend who was proceeding to Cape Town.
Tho skin Of the boa, and that also Oi the
inguano "a large water lizard) mako beau
tifdl, soft, and very durable slippers.