106 



THE PUFF ADDER. 



"In a country so infested with poisonous Snakes as are some portions of South Africa, it is 

 surprising that there are not more instances of lives having been lost by this means. It is, 

 however, as rare to hear of a person having been bitten and dying from the bite of a poisonous 

 Snake in South Africa as it is to hear of a death in civilized countries from the bite of a mad 

 dog. The fact, however, is that all Snakes will, if possible, make their escape when man 

 approaches them, and it is merely when they are trodden upon, or are oppressed by their own 

 superabundant poison, that they are disposed to bite an animal unsuited for their food. 



"An infuriated Puff Adder presents a very unprepossessing appearance. I once saw a 

 female of this species in a most excited state. She had been disturbed in her retreat under 

 an old stump by some Kaffirs, who were widening the highroad through the Berea bush at 

 Natal. She had several young ones with her, and showed fight immediately she was discov- 

 ered. The Kaffirs were determined to kill the whole family, but were fearful of approaching 



PUFF ADDER.- -Vipera arietans. 



her. Happening to pass at the time of the discovery, I organized a ring, and, procuring some 

 large stones, directed the Kaffirs to open fire. After a few minutes the excited lady was 

 killed, and she and her young were carefully buried in a retired locality, lest some bare-footed 

 Kaffir might tread upon her head, and thus meet his death." 



There is certainly in nature no more fearful an object than a full-grown Puff Adder. The 

 creature grovels on the sand, winding its body so as to bury itself almost wholly in the tawny 

 soil, just leaving its flat, cruel-looking head lying on the ground and free from sand. The 

 steady, malignant, stony glare of those eyes is absolutely freezing as the creature lies motion- 

 less, confident in its deadly powers, and when roused by the approach of a passenger, merely 

 exhibiting its annoyance by raising its head an inch or two, and uttering a sharp angry hiss. 

 Even horses have been bitten by this reptile, and died within a few hours after the injury was 

 inflicted. The peculiar attitude which is exhibited in the illustration is taken from life, one of 

 the Puff Adders in a collection having been purposely irritated. 



It is rather curious that the juice of tobacco is an instant poison to these creatures, even 

 more suddenly deadly to them than their poison to the human beings who can absorb the 



