A TAME PYTHON.
[To THE EDITOR Or THE "SPECTATOR:1
SIR,—Before the python at the Zoo has finished digesting his companion, may I quote a surprising tale from Mr. Cooper Chadwick's book," Three Years with Lobengula," a book of no literary pretensions, which relates plainly and sensibly a deal of interesting matter about African life. Mr. Chadwick says:—
"Once while passing through a Dutch farm, I wont up to the house to buy some eggs ; standing in front of the door was a large barrel, and while passing, I carelessly tilted it up to see what was inside, but promptly let it down again, as there was a big python underneath. The Dutchman told me he had shot at the snake some months previously, and a few grains entering the head, the reptile appeared to become stupifiod and unable to move quickly. Ho then dragged it home and extracted the fangs, and it gradually became tame. The python, which measured 16 ft., was allowed to crawl about the place at night, never attempting to get away or do any damage; in fact, they found it useful for killing rats and vermin. By day it was kept under the barrel. The children fed the snake, and played with it. I saw one of the little Dutch boys drag it out, and pour two bottles of milk down its throat, and then give it six eggs, which it swallowed. When they teased the python, it made a hissing noise and reared up on its tail; they were not a bit frightened, and would catch hold of it by the head, and drag it along the ground over their shoulders."
What a capital institution a pet python might be in large families ? I partly suspect the Dutchman.—I am, Sir, &c.,
S. L. Gwynn.
Previous page
