392 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



Family II. Viperidas. 



<'i.<>Tno.* (Or. proper name.) 



d. 



\-: :/ im k rub 



^ . x ,' /, I SsMs'zlf J A /\ , /,. //// ' 



Arirtans (Lat. but tiny like a Ram], the Puff Adder. 



The PUFF ADDER is an inhabitant of Southern Africa. It is 

 a short thick flatfish snake, of a most sinister and malignant 

 aspect. The following alarming adventure occurred to Mr. 

 Cole, a resident in the Cape. 



" I was going quietly to bed one evening, wearied by a long 

 day's hunting, when, close to my feet and by my bedside, 

 some glittering substance caught my eye. I stooped to pick 

 it up ; but, ere my hand had quite reached it, the truth flash- 

 ed across me it was a snake ! Had I followed my first nat- 

 ural impulse, I should have sprung away, but not being able 

 clearly to see in what position the reptile was lying, or which 

 way his head was pointed, I controlled myself, and remained 

 rooted breathless to the spot. Straining my eyes, but moving 

 'not an inch, I at length clearly distinguished a huge puff 

 adder, the most deadly snake in the colony, whose bite would 

 have sent me to the other world in an hour or two. I watch- 

 ed him in silent horror ; his head was from me, so much the 

 worse ; for this snake, unlike any other, always rises and 



* ^his is t'le name of one of the three Fates, viz. Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos 

 All ilireti nar.ies are used as genera of venomous serpents.. 



