venomous one. If, on the contrary, the teeth before-mentioned are found not to stand alone, but to be only part of a complete row, then it may as certainly be concluded that the serpent is not venomous. Next, as to external characters which assist considerably in distinguishing poisonous from harmless serpents: As a general rule, venomous serpents are found to have a broad, flat, and depressed head. There are a few exceptions to this rule, as, for instance, the naja, a species well known to be venomous, which has a head neither broad nor depressed; and, again, the genus boa, which is not venomous, has a broad and depressed head. In the venomous species the tail never exceeds one-fifth of the length of the body. It may be much shorter; but in no specimens which have been examined has it been found any longer. It appears that little dependence can be placed upon this circumstance, as a tail as short is sometimes found on the non-venomous species: nevertheless, it is pretty certain that a snake with a tail exceeding one-fifth of the length of the body belongs to the harmless kind. The form and appearance of the tail may also be taken, to some extent, as an indication of the venomous or non-venomous character of a serpent. A thin and acute tail is by no means always found on the poisonous, but a thick and obtuse one is only found in the harmless species. The elevated line, or carina, seen on the scales of many serpents, is a mark of great use in distinguishing the species. Of one hundred and twelve varieties of serpents not venomous examined, eighty were found to have smooth scales, and thirty-two to have carinated scales. Of twenty-six venomous serpents examined, twenty had carinated scales, and only six had smooth scales; so that in the venomous species carinated scales were ascertained to exist in the proportion of about four to one, whereas in harmless serpents the proportion was about one to three. Although, then, any one of the signs just enumerated cannot be considered as indicative of a venomous or non-venomous serpent, yet, where they are found to exist together, its character may with perfect certainly be decided upon. Among the venomous snakes of the Cape Colony are the cobra-dicapello, the puff-adder, the berg, or mountain-adder, the boom-slang, or tree-snake, and the garter-snake. There are others which are believed by some people to possess noxious qualities-a belief, however, not warranted by dissection. Of the cobra-di-capello there are two varieties-one named the true cobra, which is of a bright yellow colour; the other, of a dark olive hue, is termed the bastard cobra. These are both equally venomous, and possess the power of erecting themselves and swelling their hood, which does not bear the mark, in form of a pair of spectacles, which is found in the cobra of Ceylon and India, when attacked or irritated. When full-grown, they are from 4 to 5 feet in length; the yellow species having rather the advantage in point of size-the head flat and somewhat triangular, but the tail long and tapering. The upper jaw is arched, with one, sometimes two fangs on either side, through which the poison is ejected from the reservoir when the reptile fastens on its enemy or prey. This reptile has been so audacious as to pursue a man for a considerable distance, and it has been said that individuals have been obliged to run from them—a statement which requires confirmation; for though, when attacked, the creature assumes an attitude of defence, yet, if an opportunity offer, it glides away to a place of concealment. The puff adder has a broad flat triangular head, and a short tail, tapering very abruptly-the characteristic marks of a poisonous reptile. It is about 2 feet in length, of a disproportionate length, the skin being beautifully marked with various hues of black and bright yellow. The mouth is wide and capacious, with two long curved fangs on either side of the upper jaw. When irritated, it utters a remarkably loud hiss, resembling the steam from a tea-kettle. It has been affirmed that this reptile possesses the power of throwing itself backwards to the distance of several feet when it strikes its prey, which it is said to do with unerring certainly. This perhaps is somewhat fabulous, as the animal appears to be rather torpid and inactive. The berg or mountain adder, as its name indicates, is generally found on the summits or sides of mountains. It is said to be the most venomous snake which inhabits the Cape colony. It is small, not exceeding a foot in length, and of a grey colour. The head is flat and triangular, and there is a peculiar crest or ridge over each eye; the tail is short and abrupt; the upper jaw is armed with fangs. From the colour and size of this reptile, it is particularly dangerous, owing to the liability of its being trodden upon unobserved. The boom or tree snake, although it possesses fangs, is deficient in marks of being a venomous reptile. It measures about five feet in length, the circumference of the body being small and tapering, which peculiarly adapts it to the habits of the animal in gliding from tree to tree, which it does with incredible celerity. Its colour is dark brown or olive, the plates along the belly being of a bright yellow hue. In Natal serpents are abundant, and many of them are very poisonous, though they are not usually aggressive in their disposition. The puff adder, the cobra, the pystur, and a large green snake, held sacred by the natives, are the most frequent and the largest. One serpent is capable of projecting from its mouth two fine streams of a poisonons fluid, which causes severe inflammation of the skin with which it comes into contact. Scorpions are often met with, the sting of which, though exceedingly painful, is not often fatal. The bite of different sorts of serpents in Southern Africa is generally fatal very soon after the infliction of the wound, and many instances of losses of life annually occur from this cause, especially in the more grassy districts bordering on the coast, both eastern and western. Mr. Chas. L. Zeyher, in a recent botanical journey into the interior of Southern Africa, remarks that one of his dogs "started into a dense bush when he came near to him, bringing out in his mouth a snake, of the kind they call Spugg slang,' or 'Spit snake.' They are consi. dered very poisonous, and the poor dog, being wounded in the struggle with the venomous reptile, showed dangerous symptoms soon afterwards. He began to stagger along the path which we travelled, and lost his sight. It was fortunate that we had fresh milk at hand, of which we gave him repeatedly to drink, with which valuable medicine we arrested the progress of the poison, and the dog was finally, though slowly, cured. These kinds of snakes are not rare in the western districts of the Cape Colony, towards Namaqualand. They can force, through the hollow of their fang, when they are pursued hotly (as they instantly turn when they cannot escape, facing their combatant) a very caustic acid, smelling like formic acid, and spirt exactly into the face of their enemy. One instance I can relate where I pursued such a snake near the banks of the Kousie River. Having no chance of escape, it turned round, and, facing me, projected a frothy liquid towards me, of which only a small quantity touched the under part of my face, but the most of it fell on my breast. It was fortunate that the distance between me and the snake was about eight paces, otherwise the poison would infallibly have reached my eyes, and blinded me. Thinking it was an Elak snake when I pursued it, I had no idea of any danger at such a distance, until I received warning of that dangerous reptile. We despatched it, however, but it cost one of our whip-stakes, which the waggon-driver broke when beating it. These kind of snakes seem to be equally dangerous when they bite with their teeth, as when they spirt through the hollow of their fang a poisonous fluid into the eyes of their pursuant." Snakes are numerous in various parts of Australia. A good account of those common in New South Wales was given in the 13th volume of my Colonial Magazine. They include the following: 1. The black snake: This, which appears to be a species of the genus Acanthophis, is numerous. The bite is not considered fatal, or, rather, is the least deadly of all the kinds. Their usual length is from three to eight feet. The natives cure themselves when bitten by sucking the wound and bathing it with water. The snakes delight to frequent river banks, creeks, and moist places. 2. The yellow snake: Usually larger than the black, varying commonly from four to ten feet. The bite is generally fatal. This species is said to creep abroad by moonlight in the summer season. 3. The greyish-coloured snakes are very venomous, and may be often found in the neighbourhood of houses and farms, in search of mice, eggs, and birds. One lately entered into a cottage, and, meeting a cat, bit it-the animal jumped, and fell dead instantly. In October and November the poison seems to be more active than at any other season of the twelve months in all the class. 4. The brown snake is greatly dreaded by the aborigines; the bite is suddenly fatal. They frequent moist situations, mountain bottoms, &c., and are smaller than most others yet described, varying from two to six feet in length. All the serpent tribe seem to require water for drink once a day in summer. 5. The carpet or diamond snake grows to a large size; some have been seen eight, twelve, sixteen, and, credible witnesses say, twenty feet long. The poison is not so virulent as many others, which may be inferred from their large size. They habitate the mountains and rocks, and have frequently been killed with large opussums in their bellies. Hollow logs are a frequent resort for all the serpent tribe, and during the day a fallen tree is always a seat of danger to the bushman. 6. The green snake is usually found in scrubby grounds or thickly-wooded places. The bite is very deadly, and suddenly fatal. They may often be seen lying on branches of trees, ready to drop on the passenger, bird, or other prey. They are expert climbers of trees, slender, and rarely more than five feet in length. On the Clarence River these snakes are very numerous, and are often seen pendant from the forest trees. 7. The whip snake is usually of a light gray colour, from two to three feet long. They frequent the banks of rivers and creeks, and nestle in the earth or in the hollows of trees. A variety is found at Port Boyne of much brighter colours and larger size, frequenting trees in great numbers. All the whip snakes are proverbially dangerous, and the poison most active and fatal. The whip and green snakes are said to be more dangerous than any other, for they not only stand on the defensive, but will attack, without provocation, the unwary traveller. 8. The water or ring snake is usually found in wells, water-holes, or stagnant pools. They often exceed five feet in length. The number of rings increase with age. One of six feet (rare), when killed, had thirty-three rings, and no two rings alike in colour. It is the most beautiful of the tribe, if such “varmint” can be called so. The writer is not aware whether their bite is dangerous, but he would avoid making the experiment. 9. Though not pertaining to the snake tribe, the deaf-adder may be mentioned, of a different shape and habits. Its poison is not less fatal than any of the serpent race. The eye of this hideous reptile is vivid yellow, with a black longitudinal pupil. The colour of the body is difficult to be described, being a complication of dull colours, with nar row blackish bands, shaded off into the colours which compose the back. A coarse lumpy head; body, commonly eight to twelve inches long, sometimes two feet; tail, terminating suddenly from a lumpy body to a point, in which tail or extremity, according to popular rumour, is a needle-like sting, holding a poison so active that, injected into the blood, death ensues, without remedy, to large animals in twenty or thirty minutes, and to small ones instantly. They are usually found about old rotten wood and bark of dead trees, are very sluggish and inactive, and never sting but by mischance. Some men say the reptile possesses the power of contracting the body, and elongating the same to eighteen inches or two feet. 10. The slow-worms are from three to twelve inches long, and a dirty brown colour. They are found in soft sands or hills of loose earth, but are as totally blind as the adder is said to be deaf. Their poison is as fatal as that of the deaf-adders. The collection of serpents deposited in the Museum of Natural History at Paris, by different naturalists and travellers, comprises about 330 species. One-fifth of this number is found to be composed of the venomous kind, in so far as can be ascertained from the habits and peculiar fangs of the serpents. Amongst the varieties of the venomous serpent, the first in rank is the rattlesnake, found throughout the continent of America, and whose sting proves mortal in less than six minutes. Next comes the Naja or spectacled serpent, which exists in the east, and, thirdly, the spear-headed serpent (Trigonocephalus) of Martinique and St. Lucia. The venom of the viper is less virulent than that of many of the poisonous serpents; but still sufficiently severe in the warmer climates to produce even the most fatal results. In the island of Trinidad, there are few kinds of poisonous snakes. One about two feet in length, and very beautiful, is called the coral snake. The second, about three feet long, is termed the cascabelle. The third, called the mapapero, reaches the size of five or six feet, and is bold enough to attack a man. The last, known as the pineapple snake, is very rare. It attains the size of seven feet long, and is as thick as a man's leg in circumference. It is of a bright yellow colour, spotted with brown, has about 207 plates on the body and 32 on the tail. The scales are in the form of lozenges, like the rind of a pineapple; hence the name. Boa-constrictors of an enormous size are occasionally met with in this island. In 1818 one was killed that measured eighteen feet; subsequently, one was taken in the mountains above Port of Spain, the capital, considerably larger. When opened, a deer was found in his maw. The stings of two kinds of scorpions, a brown and a black variety, are severe, but not mortal. Snakes are numerous in Canada; but venomous kinds are not so plentiful as in the country more south (in the United States). The venomous kinds embrace the rattlesnake, adder, and the copperhead. Those which are harmless consist of the large black snake, the small brown snake, and the garter snake. Great numbers of the snakes are destroyed by the large hawks, which seem to consider them a very delicious morsel. In the United States the bull snake averages from five to nine feet in length. It is prettily marked on the back, of a wood colour and dark brown, mingled in squares; the belly is yellowish. This snake has a very tough hide, which is impossible to break with a club. It is a formidable foe to poultry; but its bite is not reckoned poisonous. HOUND SALES. THE CRAWLEY AND HORSHAM. At the kennels, Warninglid, on Saturday, April 13th, by Mr. T. Pain, for Messrs. Tattersall: Four couple-Rambler, by Pensioner out of Rarity, 7 yrs.; Radical by Rum- Gs. Mr. Loder 30 Four couple-Proctor, by Furious out of Paragon, 7 yrs.; Dinah, by Despot out of Flourish, 4 yrs.; Druid, by Lord Leconfield's Sultan out of Destiny, 3 yrs. ; Rosamond, by Romulus out of Dinah, 2 yrs.; Boundless and Bounty, by Barrister out of Dairymaid, 2 yrs.; Spanker, by Sculptor out of Bergamot, 1 yr.; Rutland, by Rambler out of Milton Bashful, 1 yr. ............Mr. Marriott 55 |