The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1875-05-20
A snake-Eating Serpent.
The Most Terrible, IL Not the MOst Fol
mid able, OF the Serpents.

The Most Terrible, il Not the Most For
midsbIe, OF the Serpents.
A wonderful poisonous snake, pur-
chased from Mr.. Charles Jamrach, the
we'll known animal dealer of St.. Georges
street east, has just found a home
in g cage on the south side of the snake
house in the Geological gardens. This
is a snake eating snake. DIR. FayreT,
in his magnificent work on "Venonous
Snakes of the Indian Peninsula" has
ably described this creature. We learn
from this high authority that this most
formidableo of poisonous snakes is found,
but not commonly, in India, the Anda-
man and Philippine Island, 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 act of striking in splen-
did 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 DIR.
Fayrer's hook
his stumbled upon nest of these ser
pents, and Immediately retreated, but
the old female gave chase. The man
fled with speed over hill and dale, and
terror seemed to add wings to his flight,
till reaching a small river he plunged
in but on his approaching the opposite
bank up reared the furious hamadTyad, ,
its dilated eyes ghstening with rage,
ready to bury it's 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 turned
quietly to its former haunts."
The Bengal name is Sunkerchor, or
breaker of shells. It lives in the forest
and grass iungles, is especially fond of
hollow trees, and is a good climber.
| The snake charmers in India prize 1t
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
| he was fed by Holland, the keeper, who
put an ordinary English snake into his
| cage the ophiophagus quickly de.
/
him head first In general appearance
the new snake is very like the 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-cloih. The head is somewhat al
mond-shaped, exceedin ly hzard-ike,
not fat and triangular like that of the
rattlesnake. When sitting up with his
| hood expanded the snake is continually
| jerking his head in restless manner,
reminding one of the quick darting ac-
! ton of the common green lizard. The
eye is exceedingly clear and bright
| When disturbed the snake hisses loudly,
and shows his temper by extruding his
long, black, forked tongue, which hC
vibrates with marvellous CELEBRITY. The
lower part of the window of the cage
now inhabited by this snake has beer
painted white, in order that his natu
rally hasty temper shall be disturbed al
little as possible by the morning cali
of visitors. London Daily NetOS.