Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstrait121878roya).pdf/141

 The next authority I consulted was Mr. Woods' volume on Reptiles. This fascinating writer leaves few subjects wholly untouched, through he of course also sacrifices detail to suit the popular nature of his works. Taking his volume as we find it, however, I was glad to come across the following notice of our friend.

"The serpent-eating Hamadryad or Hamadryas elaps, is notable for the peculiarity from which it derives its name. It feeds almost wholly on reptiles, devouring the lizards that inhabit the same country, and also living largely on snakes. Dr. Cantor says of this Serpent that it cannot bear starvation nearly so well as most reptiles, requiring to be fed at least once a month. 'Two specimens in my possession were regularly fed by giving them a serpent, no matter whether venomous or not, every fortnight. As soon as this food is brought near, the serpent begins to hiss loudly, and expanding its hood, rises two or three feet, and retaining this attitude as if to take a sure aim, watching the movements of the prey, darts upon it in the same manner as the Naga Tripudians (i. e. the cobra) does. When the victim is killed by poison, and by degrees swallowed, the act is followed by a lethargic state, lasting for about twelve hours."

"The Hamadryad is fond of water, will drink, and likes to pass the tongue rapidly through water as if to moisten that member. It is a fierce and dangerous reptile, not only resisting when attacked, but even pursuing the foe should be retreat, a proceeding contrary to the general rule among serpents. The poison of this creature is virulent in action, a fowl dying in fourteen minutes, and a dog in less than three hours after receiving the fatal bite, although the experiments were made in the cold season, when the poison of venomous snakes is always rather inactive. The poisonous secretion reddens litmus paper very slightly, and, as is the case with most serpent poisons, loses its efficacy by being exposed to the air. The native Indian name of the Hamadryad is Sunkr Choar."

"The colour of this snake is generally of an olive hue, auburn and pale below, but there is a variety marked with cross-bands of white. It is large species, varying from four to six feet in length, while some specimens are said to reach ten feet."

As might have been expected Dr. Fayrer's work gives far more particular details, which I proceed to quote. They embody all that is known of the Indian species:—"This is probably the largest and most formidable venomous snake known. It grows