So rapid is the action generally that not a cry has time to escape the victim, and although a convulsive action of the prey may for an instant shake the boa, yet in another instant all is over. It holds its prey for some time after life has forsaken its tenement; and when satisfied that death's reign is complete, the first object seems to be to gradually uncoil and disengage itself, beginning at the head, but generally leaving one or two coils of the tail round the victim.

The process of lubricating the prey before swallowing it, which one often reads of, must, in my opinion, be relegated to the realms of fable.

The boa certainly curls and twists its jaws about frightfully in order to get rid of the hairs and skin which may have become attached to the mouth during the combat. When that operation is finished, it slowly and with frightful expanse, opens its mighty jaws, takes in a part of the prey, then gradually distending and increasing the width of the jaws and muscles of the neck, it sucks in its victim.

This part of the performance must be seen to be understood; none but those who have witnessed it can fully conceive the wondrous expansive capabilities of the mouth and gullet, or the frightful working of all the muscles pertaining to the head and neck.

R

During this process of deglutition saliva is freely discharged from the mouth, but never have I seen it precede the commencement of the act.

Boas generally measure from thirty to forty feet in length; some are said to have measured over sixty, which I think is not improbable.

CHAPTER XIII.

Water trip to Bhagalpoor-Berhampoor-Moorshedābād-Meer Jaffier-Conduct of the British Government towards the Nawabs of Bengal-Nawab Humayoon Jah-Begumgunge -Raj Mehal-Patter Gatta-Colgong rocks-Bhagalpoor -Return trip-Ruins of Raj Mahal-Assassination of Siraj ud Daula.

"Id arbitror

Adprimè in vitâ esse utile, ne quid nimis."-Terence. "I take it to be a maxim of the greatest utility in life—not to do anything too much."

HAVING had a long spell in the sweltering plains of Bengal, and my liver being somewhat at a discount, I bethought me of the "ne quid nimis" of Terence, and resolved on a change of scene and pursuits.

Having many warm friends in the neighbourhood of the Raj Mehal hills, I decided to proceed thither, hoping to have some amusement with my gun, still more with my pencil, and last, but not least, to obtain a clean bill of health.

Two boats were soon hired, one for self, and one for my dogs domestics and travelling impedimenta.

A few hours' riding took me from my cosy bungalow to Berhampoor, where I embarked in the evening of the 3rd of November, 1837.

The mention of the month may not only serve journalistic purposes, but also connect the different crops I shall describe, and the appearance of the country, with the season of the year.

And since, to use the words of Seneca, "malo mihi malè quam molliter esse (I would rather be ill than idle)," the reader may imagine me throwing together the following sketch of Berhampoor.

Berhampoor is situated on the East bank of the river Bhagirathi, a branch of the Ganges, and is said to have been called after Bhāgīrath, a pious king, whose austerities brought the river Ganges down from heaven; hence the sanctity of its waters. I do not vouch for the truth of the story, but simply "relata refero (relate what I have heard)."

This river is throughout the year, but more particularly during the rainy season, the highway from Calcutta to the Upper Provinces.

Although Berhampoor has often been condemned by the military medicos, nevertheless many consider it a very pleasant station.

When a Queen's corps was stationed there, it had the advantageous variety of two regiments, which added no little to the gaiety life and amusements of the place; but being finally condemned as unhealthy

for Europeans, the 38th Regiment was withdrawn and never replaced. Consequently, the splendid barracks, flanked by the officers' quarters, together with the hospital-a splendid pile of buildings unequalled for size and accommodation throughout India-thus became, and have remained ever since, as tenantless as the city of Pompeii. There they remain a standing monument of British bungling and mismanagement.

Berhampoor being situated between the two great scenes of martial triumph, viz. Plassey and Moorshedābād, derives no little of its interest from those two events. In its vicinity the master mind of Clive, aided by successful treachery, laid the foundation of our power on a firm basis. For it must be allowed that it previously trembled in the scales of weak, vacillating, and selfish merchants. Near to Berhampoor, also, are the remains of the old fort of Cossim-bazaar. north front still remains, and the whole of this line of wall and the two flanking bastions are quite perfect. The east and west sides are gone, and only the south bastion remains. The length of the north wall is about three hundred yards; in the centre is the sallying gate for exit to, or ingress from, the river.

The

It was from the northern bank of the river that Siraj-ud-Daula with his myrmidons and land batteries bombarded the factory for four days.