SNAKES:

CURIOSITIES AND WONDERS OF SERPENT LIFE.

[ii]

Morrison & Gibb, Edinburgh,
Printers to Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.

Hamadryad, Ophiophagus bungarus.

Cobra, Naja tripudians.

Rat Snake, Ptyas mucosus.

Echis carinata..

Reticulated Python, Python reticulatus.

Amphisbæna.

SOME OPHIDIANS AT HOME.
INDIA.

[iii]

SNAKES:
CURIOSITIES AND WONDERS OF SERPENT LIFE.

BY

CATHERINE C. HOPLEY,

AUTHOR OF ‘SKETCHES OF THE OPHIDIANS,’ ‘LIFE IN THE SOUTH,’ ‘RAMBLES ANDADVENTURES IN THE WILDS OF THE WEST,’ ETC. ETC.

‘These lithe and elegant Beings.’—Rymer Jones.
‘Can outswim the Fish and outclimb the Monkey.’—Owen.

GRIFFITH AND FARRAN,

SUCCESSORS TO NEWBERY AND HARRIS,

WEST CORNER OF ST. PAUL’S CHURCHYARD, LONDON.
E. P. DUTTON & CO., NEW YORK.
1882.

[iv]

The Rights of Translation and of Reproduction are reserved.

[v]

TO MY
MUCH HONOURED AND ESTEEMED FRIEND,
Professor Richard Owen, F.R.S.,
WHO HAS GRACIOUSLY ENCOURAGED THE STUDIES
OUT OF WHICH IT CAME;
AND WHOSE CORDIAL SYMPATHY AND REGARD,
WITH FRANKEST RECOGNITION OF HIS
DEEP DEVOTION TO HIS ART,
GAVE ONE OF ITS FEW GREAT PLEASURES TO