The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-12

be made one of the most remarkable exhi-
billions of reptiles ever witnessed. My
idea is not alone to have the great den of
serpents in full view, but also to permit
those who desire it to view the snakes at
meal time. The multitude of unbelievers
as TO the power serpents possess of swal-
lowing prey, the diameter of whose body
exceeds many fold that of their own, will,
if they desire it be enabled to witness this
feat.
Not long ago naturalist came to New
York with one of the most magnificent
collections of serpents l ever saw, and
had the pleasure of witnessing a great
many. 1t was this gentleman's intention
to take this splendid collection of snakes
through the country and give lecture on
them. But the people displayed no inter-
est whatever, and this naturalist who had
spent the best part of his life in securing
his collection of reptiles and studying the
serpents of the world, went broke. He
was forced to sell the most rare and costly
OF his collection for enough money to keep
the wolf from the door. Now, if he had
gone to Europe his life work would have
been appreciated and he would at once
have been recognized as true naturalist
and man of science. The fellows who
spin hair-raising yarns about snakes in
the museums and circuses make living
ont OF II, while the true artist, as the
gentleman | referred to certainly was, is
forced 10 poverty because he wanted to
give the public genuine goods. Well. at
any rate, | hope TO be able TO interest the
thousands who will visit the Worlds fair
by its exhibition Of reptiles. Two or more
species of every known reptile will be
Shown IN u great den"
But rs all snakes do no: agree. viii it
be advisable 20 have them all together"
well, have not rs yet fully perfected
the arrangements apper.aining TO the dis
play of the reptiles in the Natural History
building. The idea that strikes me as
most likely 10 be adopted is to have
great enclosure of very heavy glass iii the
center of the building. There would be
immature lake and swamp, trees, rocks
and dry surface for the reptiles. Now, OF
course, We would only put snakes IN the
den that agreed. The king snake that is
common TO the Western and Middle
states. where it is frequently confounded
with the chicken snake, which 1t very
much resembles though its body IS much
simmer would have TO be put in separate
case. This snake derives its name from
the lmplacahle hostility il manitests 10 all
other reptiles. Nor are its attacks con-
hned 10 the non-venomous, for once saw
King snake pursue and xiii rattle
snake. 1t feeds on rats. mice, frogs ana
el'ds Some say that it swallows the
snake that it kills. My idea is 10 let the
people witness the reptiles ut
meal time especially. They can
learn more in a few minutes by practical
observation than they could by reading
wnoe room full of books on reptiles.
Another species of snake which l now
nave, and which will not be placed with
The happy family in the main den al
reptiles at the fair, is the experimenting
hamadrvas"
Mr.. Burns exhibited this species OF
snake, which is closely allied 10 the COBRA,
being almost as deadly. He has Just Sc
cured pair OF them for the fair III Is an
oufe hue on the back and duI1 orange
pe1ow. The female - dirty brown Win
cross bands Of white.
The hamadryas," continued MI Burns,
Is very difficult snake 20 secure. III Is
peculiar in that It's sole food seems 70 ne
REPTILES, of which lizards ana SNAKES,
whether venomous or otherwise, coilsa-
'0'e the principal part. Ii Is induStFlo1s
and courageous in pursuit OF It's prey. II
eFects lts head very high, ana WIN
dreadful kissing expands the hood, foitoW-
lng every motion of its prey. At favor
"o'e moment II launches upon ana NJ the
same time gives it's victim bite "h!ch
pFo9uces almost instant death from
poisoning. The swallowing next follows,
s''eF which the reptile IS IN state "a