THE ADDER. 179 



throat, with the result I have described." — Eythorne 

 17th July 1900. 



2. In reply to a criticism of Ailalo's, Mr Jacob 

 writes : — 



" First, you assume that my shot carried away not 

 only the head but also the upper part of the body. 

 This is absolutely incorrect. I was only 3 or 4 

 yards from the adder, and my shot cut its head clean 

 off close to the neck. The body of the reptile was 

 injured in no way. The young emerged from the 

 gullet, and could not possibly have escaped from the 

 abdomen, as the entire body was intact. If I had 

 shot the adder asunder, I should have taken no more 

 notice of the occurrence, but should have assumed 

 as you do. 



" Secondly, the young were about 7 inches long, and 

 in the largest part of their body about § of an inch in 

 diameter. They were exceedingly active and lively, 

 and had every appearance of knowing something of 

 the world. Would this correspond with the size and 

 condition of previously unborn young ? 



" I quite freely admit that if the case was as you 

 suggest — viz., that my shot carried away the ' upper 

 part of the body ' — yours would be ' quite a plausible 

 explanation,' but as the facts stand, I must ask you 

 to allow me to join issue with you. I may say that 

 during a shooting experience of nearly forty years I 

 have twice shot an adder's head off whilst in the act 



