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Show 1871. LETTER FROM MR. G. W. DES VCEUX. 3 that he feared that this animal would be more prone to destroy the domestic fowls of the inhabitants than the much-detested serpents, and had recommended that a sufficient reward should be offered for the destruction of these snakes, instead of any of the above-mentioned plans. At the same time, Mr. Sclater had forwarded to Mr. des Vceux a pair of the common Indian Mungoose (Herpestes griseus) from the Society's collection, in order that the experiment as to whether these animals would destroy the Trigonocephalus might be tried. A recent communication from Mr. des Vceux, dated Government House, Santa Lucia, December 2nd, 1870, gave the following details of an encounter between one of these Mungooses and a snake of the above species. " A * Rat-tail' some twenty inches in length was produced in a glass jar, the mouth of which was secured with a piece of linen. The Mungoose was brought out and its cage opened ; the jar was held out to it. As soon as it perceived the snake inside it became greatly excited, its fur presenting the appearance of that of a cat with ** its back up,' and its thick tail distended and bristling. lt evinced intense eagerness to get at the snake by running round and round the jar, and tearing at the cloth over the opening with its teeth and claws. On the covering being removed the serpent sprung out upon the lawn, and advanced a few feet on the grass. The Mungoose at once attacked it, endeavouring to fix its teeth and claws in the back; but the snake seemed prepared for this style of attack, which he avoided by drawing his body suddenly back. Rapidly recovering himself, however, he darted at his active little enemy and apparently succeeded in touching it with his fangs, for the Mnngoose with a sharp cry sprung suddenly about a foot from the ground, but alighting upon the back of the snake bit and tore at it savagely. A short struggle ensued, the position of the snake not allowing him to use his fangs; and upon the combatants separating, the snake crawled a few yards away, and his opponent began running in an apparently aimless manner about the lawn. This lasted some three or four minutes, during which time the snake crawled along with difficulty, seeming anxious to get away, and then remained quite still. Suddenly the Mungoose returned, seized the snake by the middle of the body and dragged him into its cage which was standing open. The Rat-tail did*not give any signs of life after this operation. On gaining the cage the Mungoose proceeded leisurely to eat the serpent, commencing with the head, its sharp teeth crunching through bones and all. The cage was then closed, and every one retired with very little expectation of seeing the plucky little animal alive again. " In about an hour's time the cage was reopened, and the hero of this battle coolly trotted out, showing no signs of being at all the worse for the fight. " Upon examining the interior of the cage, which was quite clean, the only evidence which remained of the snake having been there was a small piece of his tail not quite two inches in length, which |