RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1872.03.15. Descent / Snakes are more intelligent than might be thought. CUL-DAR89.2. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 11.2021. RN1
NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volumes CUL-DAR 87-90 contain material for Darwin's book Descent of man 2d ed. (1874-1877).
Darwin cited this in Descent, 2d ed., p. 352.
[2]
Descent
March 15 /72/
Snakes are more intelligent than might be thought - it is thoughtthat they soon learn not to strike at iron hooked bar with which their cages are cleaned. But Holland is certain that some of the snakes know him probably from all other persons, he instanced a particular Crotalus & Python. Bartlett took to B. Mus 2 harmless snakes in a Bag, & they were excessively tame & crawled about his body & showed no tendency to strike; but when the bag was got out & they were going to put the pair in that one struck at him & the other gentlemen who was assisting & both drew blood.
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 25 September, 2022