Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 10.djvu/129

Rh these conclusions. We give them as stated briefly in the American Journal of Science:

Pet Snakes.—Frank Buckland communicates to Land and Water a very interesting notice of "Cleo," a pet boa-constrictor. This animal was of the kind called "painted boa," and had come from Brazil. Its length was seven feet five inches, and its weight nine pounds. Cleo came into the possession of Mr. Mann, a friend of Mr. Buckland's, in 1870, and from that time till its death was his constant companion. Her food consisted of pigeons, of which she took on the average one a week. If a pigeon were offered to her when she was not hungry, she would take but little notice of it. If the two were left together for a while, they became friends. Neither pigeons nor any other animal ever showed any fear of this serpent.

She always "killed her bird" instantaneously, seizing it by the beak, and breaking its neck by a rapid movement. She never crushed her prey to death, but invariably waited to see that it was motionless before laying her coils upon it. The constricting power was reserved for mastication, and was very sufficient for that purpose.

The Northerly Winds of California.—In a paper on the northerly winds of the great central valley of California, Mr. J. H. C. Bonte attributes to the prevalence of these winds the peculiar dry and moderately exhilarating climate of that region. Further, he asserts that without the north winds, and with the consequent increase of moist heat, the vegetation now cultivated in the valley would be crowded out by dense tropical growths. It is reasonable to believe that the desiccating power of the north wind, by preventing and dissipating the noxious exhalations of animal matter, acts as a preventive of disease. The north winds, following the rainy season, by drying and baking the soil, dissolve and pulverize its particles, thus freeing its productive powers. Fineness of fibre and concentrated nutriment are imparted to all the vegetable growths of the valley by the north wind, and it is possible that the grapes and strawberries of California may receive their delicate flavor from the same source. Cereal grains are made solid and flinty by this influence, and thus enabled to resist the damaging effects of moisture. The comparative exemption of the valley of California from the ravages of the weevil doubtless arises from the desiccating