The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-04-29
Marrelous Serpent.

! A wonderful poisonous snake. says the
London Daily Ne15s, purchased from Mr..
| Charles Jamrach, the well-known animal
dealer ofSt. Georges Street East, has just
| found home in nacage on the south side
of the snake-house insihe Geological gar
dens. This IS asnake-cutting snake, hence
called Ophiophagus -Hamadryas
| Ophiopna9us. DR.. Fsyrer in his magniti-
cent work on Thanotopbdia. or Veno-
nous Snakes of the Indian Peninsula, has
ably described this creature. We learn
from this high authority that this most
formidable OF poisonous snakes is found,
but not commonly, in India, the Anda-
man and Philippine Islands, etc. 1t is
the largest and most formidable OF known
venomous snakes. 1t is not only very
powerful, but also active and aggressive.
DR.. Fayrer figures two specimens In the
attitude of striking, in splendid pilates,
drawn from life by native artists. One
specimen is feet and the other IL feet
10. The specimen in the gardens Is over
seven feet In length. The worst of the
snake Is, he will not run away when at
tackled: he viii not only turn upon his
enemy, but viii puIsue him. We read in
DR.. Fayrer's book: "An Intelligent Bur-
nam told me that a friend of his one day
stumbled upon a nest of these serpents,
and Immediately retreated, but the old fe-
male 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 plung-
ed in, hoping he had escaped his fiery enc
my; but 10! on reaching the opposite
bank up reared the furious hamadryad,
its dilated eyes glistening with rage, ready
to bury its fangs in his tremb-
ling body. In utter despair
he bethought himself of his turban,
and in moment dashed ii upon the SER
pent, which darted upon it like lightning,
and for some moments wreaked its ven-
geance in furious bites, after which it re-
turned quietly to its former haunts."
The Bengali name is SunkerchOr, or
breaker of shells. It lives in the forest
and grass jungles, is especially fond of
hollow trees, and is good climber. The
snake charmers in India prize it highly,
but they say it- is exceedingly dangerous
to catch and difficult to handle. The speci-
men at the gardens is in excellent health.
Shortly after his arrival he was fed by
Holland, the keeper, who put an ordinary
English snake into his cage the ophiO-
phagus quickly devoured the English
snake by boiling him head first In gen.
eral 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 pat
terms on oil-cloth. The head is somewhat
almond-shaped, exceedingly lizard-like,
not flat and triangular like that of the rat
tlesnake. When sitting up with his body
expanded, the snake is continually jerking
his head in restless manner, reminding
us of the quick, darting action of the COM
mon green lizard the eye is exceedingly
clear and bright. When disturbed be
Misses loudly, and shows his temper by
extruding his long black-fUrked tongue,
which he vibrates with marvellous celebrity
The lever 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 the visi-
tors