192 A COLLECTOR'S EXPERIENCES 



Growing behind the two fangs in use are other 

 fangs, and still the embryos of others. Every six or 

 eight weeks the fangs are shed. By a wonderful pro- 

 vision of Nature, the serpent never loses an old fang 

 until the new member is strongly attached at its side, 

 and connected with the poison-gland ; then the old 

 fang comes loose from its socket, and is left deeply 

 embedded in the body of the next animal struck for 

 food. In case the snake were artificially deprived of 

 its fangs, the openings of the poison -ducts would con- 

 tinue to discharge their secretions, and if, in such an 

 instance, the reptile should inflict a bite, the wounds 

 made by the small ^^alatine teeth Avould form excellent 

 sources for the absorption of the poison. 



Although much has been said concerning the 

 aggressive disposition of the venomous snakes, the 

 writer, after many years of experience, has failed to 

 note a sino-le instance of the deliberate intention on 

 the part of a poisonous serpent to pursue or exhibit 

 aggressiveness toward an enemy. The defensive is 

 always the attitude assumed by the poisonous reptile, 

 and although a specimen will occasionally show the 

 temper of a fiend, it never advances to the attack, but 

 always keeps its corner. By no means cowardly, the 

 reptile simply wishes to be left alone. The viper- 

 ine snakes, comprising the rattlesnake, copperhead, 

 water-moccasin, and fer-de-lance of this hemisphere, 

 and the typical vipers of the Old World, coil them- 

 selves when assuming a fighting position, although 

 the coil is in no way necessary for the act of striking. 

 It merely forms an anchor, and aids the reptile in 



