Year: 1869




All the ophidians are entirely destitute
of limbs, not having even rudamentary
eminences anywhere on the exterior that
could in the least degree assist them in
locomoton--unless the scuta or plates
on the abdomen arc regarded as elemen-
tary members. These are merely brac-
| ing surfaces, against which they push
forward as they gyratc in their move
ments. '
The anatomical structure of these Of
fensiyc reptiles, against which all hui
manity appears to have an instructive
dislike, is quite different from other ami
mails whose internal organization is
analogous. They have no breast bone
for the attachment of the ribs There
fore the distal cxtremities arc free and
loose, though singularly articulated with
the bones of the spine. Then again.
they possess an immense number of
ribs, extending from near the jaws near.
ly the whole length of the body


This very extraordinary arrangement
of the bony frame work, in their case is
not without design. There is no field in
organic nature more curious in the esti-
nation of the naturalist To correspond
with the anomalous carpentry Of the
skeleton, the under jaw may be carried
off from its attachment to the angle of
the upper one from one inch to one foot.
according to the size Of the individual,
and the dimensions Of the mass Of food
to be swallowed. a-a
Whatever a serpent takes for nourish-
ment give indications Of life, otherwise
it will not feed. They seize, and then
instantly crush the mass by winding
themselves round it, cracking every pro-
jecting bone, aud somewhat diminishing
the bulk, when it is swallowed whole
To accomplish such an extraordinary op-
Grafton, the gullet may be enormously
distended. AS soon rs the prey thus
engulfcd, has passed the gulax point,the
jaws Immediately return back into place
as before.


In this locomotion, the end Of each rib
becomes foot,and when one goes down.
the next is raised, and so on BY sections,
giving to them waving appearance,
something like the surface of running
water To produce such motion "a
characterizcs the tropical serpents, par
ticularly, there must be an immense bun
die of muscular cordage, which contracts
and relaxes with the luickness Of
thought.


Such are some Of the wonders Of ser.
pentine mechanism, exactly meeting all
the demands of their condition in tho
place they were predestined to occupy.
Their accuracy and distinctness of Wis
ion; the delicacy of the auditory appa-
ratus, destitute as they arc of an exter-
nal ear, and probable intelligence they
gain of their enemies both by the vibra-
ton of the ground, and the sense OF
smell in searching for prey, invests the
study of ophidian life with very great
degree of interest


Those travellers in the Orient who
have witnessed the surprising exhibitions
of the psilli, or snake charmers, have
invariably expressed their astonishment
at the control they exercise over the
most venomous and ferocious Of, those
repulsive creatures. That serpents may
be trained to comprehend language, is
placed beyond doubt, because they are
perfectly obedient to the commands Of
the master. That they watch his yigi-
liant eye with equal scrutiny, is apparent.
from the circumstance that If he uses a
switch, menacingly, they cover, clearly
enough showing that it is better to obey
than take blow.