Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 May 1878 — More Than a Year Without Food. [ARTICLE]

More Than a Year Without Food.

The London News says : “The female anaconda in tlie Zoological Gardens was tom from her home in South America some time in 1876. She was carried across" the ocean in a narrow box, which caused her great discomfort, and may possibly have impaired her digestion. In February, 1877, the anaconda was consigned to her English abode, but she refused to be comforted or to take anything to eat. The dainties which . have the greatest charm for her, live birds and ether animated trifles, were, happily for them, exhibited in vain. She persevered in starving herself resolutely, not to say sullenly, and we do not learn that food was thrust upon her perforce. A few days ago she recovered the taste for living, and gratified her friends by slaying and swallowing an unfortunate duck. She may now do very well, for appetite comes as we eat, bat her prolonged fast of at least a year might prove trying to most serpentine constitutions. It would be interesting to know whether the anaconda’s weight has varied at all during her unexampled performance.”