SECRETION AND COLLECTION OF VENOM l.\ SXAKES 153 



out and placed in a saucer. The end of tlie duct is cut between 

 the gland and tlie ligature, and with a pair of fenestrated or 

 polypus forceps the whole of the glandular mass is gently squeezed 

 from behind forwards, the liquid which flows out being received in 

 a large watch-glass. 



If pressed for time, a more simple method of operating is to 

 hold the head of the snake in the left hand, with tlie mouth open 

 and the lower jaw directed downwards. A watch-glass, capsule, 

 or receptacle of some sort, such as a cup or plate, is then introduced 

 by an assistant between the jaws, and, with the index finger and 

 thumb of the right hand, the whole of the region occupied by the 

 glands on each side of the upper jaw is forcibly compressed from 

 behind forwards ; the poison flows out by the fangs. 



The extraction of the venom from living snakes is effected in 

 the same manner. The animal being firmly held by the neck, 

 as close as possible to the head, so that it cannot turn and bite; 

 it can be made to eject the greater portion of the liquid con- 

 tained in its two glands by compressing the latter with force from 

 behind forwards, as one would squeeze out the juice from a quarter 

 of an orange (fig. 85). 



It is necessary to take care that the reptile cannot coil itself 

 round furniture or other objects in the vicinity of the operator, for 

 if this should happen there would be the greatest difficulty in 

 making it let go, especially if dealing with a strong animal such 

 as a Cobra, Battle-Snake, or Fer-de-lance. 



Snakes of the last-mentioned kind are especially difficult to 

 manage. In order to avoid the risk of being bitten, it is always 

 wise to begin by pinning down the head of the animal in a corner 

 of its cage by means of a stick, and to seize it with a pair of long 

 fenestrated tongs shaped like forceps. The operator then easily 

 draws the reptile towards him and grasps it tiiinly by the neck with 

 his left hand, always as close to the head as possible, at the same 

 time raismg the l)()dy quickly m order to prevent it from taking 



