The subject of this Plate is taken from the anecdote of the Anaconda, in Lewis's " Romantic 'Tales, in which it is thus described:
"But how great was my joy at perceiving the Bull
separate himself from the rest of the herd and begin to ascend the hill. We
arrived near the groups of palm-trees; everything was hushed and tranquil not a
sound was to be heard, except the noise of the scattered· branches as the Bull
trampled them beneath his feet:- the Anaconda seemed to have disappeared
altogether.
"On a sudden a loud and rattling rush was heard among
the palms; and, with a single spring the Snake darted down and twisted herself round the
body of the· devoted victim. Before the animal was- yet aware of his. danger,
he already felt his dewlap inclosed between the wide-expanded jaws of the
monster, and her teeth stuck into it deeply. Roaring aloud, he endeavoured to
fly, and succeeded in dragging his tormentor a few yards away with him; but
instantly she coiled herself round him in three or four folds, and drew the
knots so close together, that the entangled beast was incapable of moving; and
remained, as if rooted to the place, already struggling with the terrors and
pangs of death. The first noise of this extraordinary contest had been
sufficient to put to flight the remaining cattle."
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