The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-04-14

That enthusiastic naturalist and writer,
Frank Buekland, describes Gin Land and
Wdter) the recent arrival in London Of an
anaconda from South America. He says:
"Phis immense snake is now safely
housed in the snake house in the Zoologi-
cal Gardens, under the parental care Of
Holland, who has for many years SO ably
managed the snakes, poisonous aud non
poisonous. Our visitor arrived at Liver
pool in large box. Intelligence was
given to Mr. Bartlett, who proceeded to
Liverpool to inspect him, matter Of con
siderable difficulty. It viii not do to buy
an expensive snake of this kind without
warranty. Snakes are very liable to can
ker in the mouth. The gums get swollen
and habby, and completely conceal the
teeth, so that the beast cannot feed.
Again, If snakes are injured in the cap
ture, they frequently die in consequence.
1t was necessary to examine the snake as
TO these two points Having been shut
up for several months without food, and in
the dark, the anaconda was not 10 good
temper. When the lid was opened Mr..
Bartlett caught him tight around the neck
with both hands; it was not necessary to
open the mouth, as the savage snake did
that soon enough of himself, in true anger.
A moments inspection showed he had no
disease Of the gums. II was with some
difficulty that Mr. Bartlett got his head
back into the box, without letting out
more than foot or two Of his body. The
anaconda has not poisonous teeth, but has
great and dangerous powers of crushing.
The box with the snake weighed over 2
cwt. It was with much lodging that
Anaconda was coRducted by two keepers
to his new quarters, where he at once re-
treated into bath Of warm water, from
which as yet he has only emerged once or
twice. 1t is difficult to give the exact
length Of the snake, as he is not to be
measured with as much facility as fathom
of rope. He is now lying in three parallel
folds in his bath; we know the length of
the bath, and VIC calculate his length to be
between eighteen and twenty feet--a tre-
mendous fellow 1t was impossible to get
tape measure round him but having
measured his diameter in his thickest part,
we conclude that he is over two feet round
the body. At present he is thin, and his
skin fits him very loosely. 1t is hoped
that he will soon begin to feed. Mr..
Bartlett, with his usual ingenuity, has
found out how TO make Mr.. Anaconda feed.
He covers his bath over at night, and puts
therein with the snake duck. The duck
is always gone in the morning, and the
snake appears fatter. anaconda is de-
cidedly nocturnal and aquatic in his hab.
its. Like our own British snake, it is
found in marshy, damp places, and he
feeds upon animals which come down to
drink at night. Mr.. Bartlett has ascer-
tanned that the last meal Of this snake had
consisted Of young peccary, the horny
part Of the hoofs having been discovered
in the stones at the bottom of the cage
there are also the hairs of another animal,
which has to be diagnosed by microscopes.
This tropical American snake is aloo called
the aboHtd. The provincial name is el
traga reHado, or the deer swallower. He
never interferes with men, although of
course he will take his own part il attacked.
1t is greatly to be hoped that this maguif-
cent snake will in time get an appetite and
recover from his travel-worn appearance.
His color may be described as buff, with
very dark markings on the upper parts.
His companion in the cage is magnificent
reticulated python (tldr satca, } caught at
Penang. He has been at the gardens since
August, 1876, and has not eaten anything
since he arrived. He shed his skin re.
Gently, and is now most lovely to behold.
1t would be impossible to describe the tints
of the new skin IA splendid lacing of
bronze, blue, gold, and black, } except by
saying that they are quite as gorgeous as
peacock's plumage.
IL have had some snake skins tanned,
lady having promised to wear dress or
namented with them. Eve dressed in
snake skins is too good point to be over
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