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The Descent of Man

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learnt, and the toad was seized by one leg,<br />

withdrawn, and then swallowed in triumph."<br />

<strong>The</strong> keeper in the Zoological Gardens is positive<br />

that certain snakes, for instance Crotalus and<br />

Python, distinguish him from all other persons.<br />

Cobras kept together in the same cage apparently<br />

feel some attachment towards each other.<br />

(61. Dr. Gunther, 'Reptiles <strong>of</strong> British India,'<br />

1864, p. 340.)<br />

It does not, however, follow because snakes<br />

have some reasoning power, strong passions<br />

and mutual affection, that they should likewise<br />

be endowed with sufficient taste to admire brilliant<br />

colours in their partners, so as to lead to<br />

the adornment <strong>of</strong> the species through sexual<br />

selection. Nevertheless, it is difficult to account<br />

in any other manner for the extreme beauty <strong>of</strong><br />

certain species; for instance, <strong>of</strong> the coral-snakes<br />

<strong>of</strong> S. America, which are <strong>of</strong> a rich red with<br />

black and yellow transverse bands. I well remember<br />

how much surprise I felt at the beauty

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