The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1883-08-30
mOyIsa TIM ssARss,
Tho Reptiles Of tho London geological
Gardens Given New quarters.

Tho Reptiles Of The London geological
Gardens Given New quarters.
One Of the most important events In th'
animals OF the London Geological Garden'
was the transfer which took place Of th,
reptiles aud snakes from the various dc
partments In which they hay
been hitherto located TO tn,
new reptile house, commenced about
year ago. The task OF transference
commenced one day this month II little
before IL. and WAS completed In the after
noon without hitch OF any KIDD. The
Standard gives an account o
the transfer. The first moved
W, re- the smaller alligators and crocodiles
which were placed in the western ova
pond. and seemed to enjoy their new resi-
dence immensely. The. pond II
an open one without ratings of any
kind, but the amphibious reptiles
oyerhang of the rim OF the basin. The first
snake removed was the very poisonous
hamadrysd (Opniophagus bungaris), 9
| native OF India. and an inmate OF the gar
dens since 1875. This snake can dart q
height of five or six feet, and its transfer
was prudently effected bs getting 1t into q
box, which, when placed in the new abode,
was opened by sort of trap-door, and the
snake hooked out by long iron wire,
forked at the end.
THE PYTHoNs.
To extricate the large pythons from their
old habitations, of which they have beenin
mates for many years. the fronts OF the old
cages had to be taken out altogether, and in
doing this on the previous day one of the
reticulated pythons managed to escape. 1t
was found, however. under the hot water
pipes, and was safely captured In canvas
bag. This proved happy incident and the
creature was conveyed to the new house
with ease and liberated with facility into its
noble quarters. This is one OF the largest,
and its com panion is the largest. snake in
the menagerie. 1t is fine reptile, over
| fifteen feeti length, and EN- rkably active.
Thompson and Tyrrell carried the bag into
the cage, and untying 1t, shot the great
creature out, and then retired by the rear
ward, touching with its bifurcated tongue
the glass front, the walls, every thing as 1t
went along. 1t then mounted one of
the two oak trees, and wound and
twisted itself over every branch, rest
ing its head every now and again upon
one or the other of them for few sec.
onds, and then moving on afresh. After
ward its huge companion was similarly
brought into the cage and shot out OF its
sack. when 1t commenced to move along
the graveled floor, its CLASSY skin and its
reticulated markings being. shown off to
the greatest advan age as the sun shone
down through the skylight of the roof
upon it, bringing out purple sheen and a
golden CLINT truly marvellous as II slowly
drew one fold over another of its massive
body.
THE ALLIGATOR.
The most exciting incident in the days
work was the transference of the great
American alligator, q particularly savage
beast, at least nine feet in length. Its des-
tination was the large central tank of the
new house, where two other smaller alliga-
tors were already basking in the
warm water, with their noses and
eyes Just above the fluid surface.
with broad bands Of stout Webbing, he was
captured in the canvas bag and brought
into the new house. OF course, he had to
be got out of the bag, which was not an
easy operation, but to get the bandage off
his mouth was the most ticklish business
OF all. The first was simply TO
lift him and drag him out, No
sooner was this done than the beast
twisted itself over on its back with sud
denness and power completely startling.
The mouth bands holding on, however, the
animal was lifted bodily by half dozen
men and put head foremost into the water,
in which he splashed with vigor. The
mouth bands were then cut with knife,
and the monster. damaged only by few
scales knocked off and sore nose, quietly
settled to the bottom of the pool and gave
no more anxiety to any one.
WATER vIPERs.
The final operation was the transferepce
of the two North American water vipers,
very dangerous creatures, the bite of which
is said to be fatal. Each had been captured
in wooden box, and so far, were well Sc.
cured. They had been driven by sticks
from their former den by the side
door into the boxes easily enough,
but not so easy was 1t to get
them out of the boxes again. This, how
ever, was very clevery accomplished:
Thompson entered the car and received
be closed boxes from his companion out
side. He placed them carefully over the
water pool in the cage and then retired by
the rear door through which he leaned
over, opened the sliding lid
of the box about six or seven
inches, took the box up by the end, turned
over, and snpt the snake well out to the
front. Opening the second box in similar
manner, he hooked the snake out with a
forked wire, and then removed the box,
closed the rear door, and all was successful
| ly accomplished. The interior OF the REP
| tile court is rendered pleasant by flowers
and foliage plants. and will undoubtly be 9
popular promenade.