accordance with
this view, that, so far as we know, the Bats so endowed are more
decidedly nocturnal in their habits and frequent darker retreats than
their less gifted fellows. Thus our Long-eared Bat, as already stated,
continues active on the wing throughout the whole night, and the
Horseshoe Bats are distinguished as specially affecting dark caves.

HOW SNAKES EAT

(FROM SNAKES.)

BY CATHERINE C. HOPLEY.

[Illustration: HAMADRYAD SNAKE.]

The Hamadryad's appointed diet is one ring-snake per week; but "Ophi,"
as we now call him, is occasionally required--and with no sacrifice of
his principles either--to eat an extra snake to satisfy the curiosity
of some distinguished visitor. Sometimes, too, colubers are plentiful,
and two small ones are not too much for his ten or twelve feet of
appetite. This splendid serpent has rewarded care by remaining in
perfect health, and growing several feet. He was between eight and
nine feet long when he came, and is now not far short of twelve and
proportionately larger in circumference. Sometimes during winter, when
ring-snakes are scarce, "Ophi" is compelled to fast; for he is not
then to be tempted with other food. During the first year of his
residence in the Gardens, the supply was good, and he ate no less than
eighty-two fellow-creatures before the winter was well over. Towards
spring, however, the supply ran short, and only two more remained for
him. He had now fasted two entire weeks, and looked hungry and eager.
The keeper offered him a guinea-pig, at which he took great offence,
raising his hood and hissing angrily for a long while. Eggs he
declined, also a lizard and a rat, in great disgust. In India the
Ophiophagi are said to feed on lizards and fish occasionally, but
_our_ Ophiophagus preferred to fast. At last one of the two
ring-snakes was produced, and Ophio was to be regaled. It was the 31st
of March, 1876, and he had been a denizen of the Gardens just one
year. My note-book informs me that it was a lovely, soft spring day,
and that Ophio was quite lively. He had rejected frogs on his own
account, but in the uncertainty of more ring-snakes arriving, he was
now decoyed into eating half a dozen. Holland contrived that the snake
destined for his dinner should answer the purpose of a feast, and had
allowed it to eat as many frogs as it chose. Like the poor wretch who,
doomed to the gallows, is permitted to fare sumptuously the last
morning of his life, the