THE SNAKES 345 



the parent. Curiosity overcomes an immature instinct; 

 yet it advances, though more cautiously — and toward the 

 snake. 



There is no sound to alarm, no sight of living creature 

 but itself. 



It is nosing among the green sprouts when some- 

 thing strange causes the large dark eyes to open widely. 

 A flickering black object quivers in the moonlight — the 

 serpent's tongue. With tendons taut and ready to 

 bound away, the young animal peers curiously at the 

 strange phenomenon. Again the mother's crooning 

 call, yet temptation prompts an instant's investigation 

 and a step forward and then — the sinister outlines of 

 the snake are seen, but too late. A turn for a dash for 

 safety is followed by a dart of the cruel head. There 

 is a flash of white mouth-parts and the fangs are sunk in 

 the agouti's trembling body and as quickly withdrawn. 



The low cadence of the insect chorus is broken by a 

 series of piercing squeals as the fated animal staggers 

 to retrace its way. Already the venom is doing its work, 

 though enough consciousness is left in the throbbing 

 brain to distinguish the plaintive call of the terrified 

 mother. 



One last effort to reach her side, when the limbs give 

 way and the animal sinks to the ground to writhe in its 

 death struggles. 



With head and neck outstretched, the Fer-de-Lance 

 waits quietly for the end and, when it comes, glides 

 slowly around the victim, touching it lightly with the 

 tongue tips. And then the feast, the swallowing of an 

 animal entire that is many times the diameter of the 

 feaster's neck. 



At length grasping the agouti by the nose, the reptile 

 pushes one side of the upper and lower jaw forward, 



