Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 5 (1901).djvu/332

304 sloughing occupied one hour. (Cast whole, with many rents in it.)

"7. On Oct. 12th, 1899, Python entered water, and stayed till Oct. 26th, when it left water, and cast slough in several pieces.

"8. On Dec. 30th, 1899, Python entered water, and on Jan. 1st, 1900, cast slough in water in many small pieces.

"9. On March 24th, 1900, Python showed signs of sickening for sloughing, but refused to enter water. It tried to slough on April 2nd, but could only get off the scales on the belly. I accordingly fastened the Snake in the bath, where the rest of the slough came away on April 5th.

"10. On May 21st, 1900, Python entered water, staying till May 28th, when it left water, and cast slough in three large pieces.

"11. On Aug. 23rd, 1900, Python entered bath, stayed till Aug. 31st, when slough was cast in two pieces in the water.

"12. On Nov. 15th, 1900, Python entered water, stayed until Nov. 25th, casting slough in water in four pieces. The Python now measures just under 8½ ft. in length."

The foregoing admirably careful observations by Mr. Clarke show that his Python sloughed twelve times in three years, usually casting the slough in pieces, though in good condition. The term "sickening for sloughing" means the symptoms seen a few days beforehand, viz. roughness and darkening of the skin, refusal to take food, disinclination to move, and dimness of the eyes.