This serpent appears to have been the Tlicoatl and Temacuilcahuilia of the Mexicans. "It derives its name," says Hernandez, "from its strength, for Temacuilcahuilia is, 'fighting with five men ; ' it attacks those it meets, and overpowers them with such force that if it once coils itself round their necks it strangles and kills them, unless it bursts itself by the violence of its own efforts ;" and he goes on to state how its attack is avoided by the man opposing a tree or other object to its constriction, so that while the serpent fancies that it is compressing the man it may be torn asunder by its own act, and so die. The same author states that he had seen serpents as thick as a man's thigh, which had been taken when young by the Indians, and tamed, and how they were provided with a cask strewn with litter, in the place of a cavern, where they lived, and were for the most part quiescent except at meal times, when they came forth, and amicably climbed about the couch or shoulders of their master, who placidly bore the serpent-embrace (amplexus) of the terrific animal ; or how, lying coiled up iu folds, and equalling a large wheel in size, they harmlessly received the food offered to them. In the description of the Temacuilcahuilia we have, allowing for some exaggerations, the predatory habits of an enormous Boa ; and in the relation of the manners of the tamed constricting serpents which follows it, we find an engine which might be and no doubt was turned to account by the ancient Mexican priests.
Specimens of this and the following species are living in the Gardens of the Zoological Society, Regent's Park.
B. diviniloqua (Constrictor diriniloquus, Laurenti), the Lamanda, is an inhabitant of Santa Lucia, and the specimen in the possession of the Zoological Society appears to be the only one in Europe.
B. Imperator, the Emperor Boa, is a native of Mexico and Honduras.
B. Eques, the Chevalier Boa, is an inhabitant of Peru.
12. Peloph ikus. Crown covered with irregular plates; nostrils lateral, between two scales.
P. Madagascarensis, the Pelophile, a native of Madagascar, is the only species.
13. Eunectes. Crown covered with irregular shields ; nostrils vertical, between three plates.
E. murinus (Boa Scytalc and Boa murina, Linnaeus, Boa aquatics, Prince Maximilian, Boa gigs*, Latreille, Boa Anaconda and Boa .Abomet, Dandin), the Anaconda. It is a native of tropical America.
Mr. Bennett observes in the 4 Tower Menagerie' that the name of Anaconda; like that of Boa Constrictor, has been popularly applied to all the larger and moro powerful snakes. He adds that the word o — appears to be of Ceylonese origin, and applies it to the Python Tigris.
This specks is brownish, with a double series of roundish black blotches all down the back ; the lateral spots annular and °collated, the disks being white, surrounded by blackish rings. The trivial
name marinas was given to it from its being said to lie in wait for mice; and Seba has given a representation of it about to dart upon an American mouse, which be says is its usual food. Such 'small deer' may be the prey of this species when very young, but it grows to a size equalling that of Boa Constrictor and Epicrates Cenchria. We think it very probable that this is the Culebra do Agua of the Venezuelans. The other provincial mime, El Trap Venado, or Deer-Swallower,' indicates the prey of the serpent when of age. Linnaeus says of his Boa Scytale, " Constringit et deglutit capras, owes," &e. (It constricts and swallows goats, sheep, &c.) The following description of a species, of which a specimen was forwarded to the United Service Museum, was given by Sir Robert her Porter :—" It is not venomous, nor known to injure man (at least not in this part of the New World); however the natives of the plains stand in great fear of it, never bathing in waters where it is known to exist. Its common haunt, or rather domicile, is invariably near lakes swamps, and rivers; likewise close to wet ravines produced by inundations of the periodical rains ; hence, from its aquatic habits, its first appellation. Fish and those animals which repair there to drink are the objects of its prey. The creature lurks watchfully under cover of the water, and whilst the unsuspecting animal is drinking suddenly makes a dash at its nose, and with a grip of its back-reclining double range of teeth never fails to secure the terrified beast beyond the power of escape. In an instant the sluggish waters are in tnrbulence and foam, the whole form of the Culebra is in motion, its huge and rapid coilings noon encircle the struggling victim, and but a short moment elapses ero every bone is broken in the body of the expiring prey. On its ceasing to exist the fleshy tongue of the reptile in protruded (taking a long and thinnish form), passing over the whole of the lifeless beast, leaving on it a sort of glutinous saliva that greatly facilitates the act of deglutition, which it performs gra dually by gulping it down through its extendedjaws—a power of extension of them it possesses to so frightful and extraordinary a degree as not to be believed when looking at the comparative small ness of the mouth and throat in their tranquil state. After having completely devoured or rather hidden its prey in the way described it becomes powerless as to motion, and remains in an almost torpid state for some days, or until nature silently digests the swallowed animal. The snake now sent was killed with lances when just regarding its powers of action.