VI APPENDIX. 



If the scales exceed 15 rows — Gonyosoma frsenatum 



Tetragonosoma. 

 If the tail is jflattened and the scales exceed 100 rows — 



Chersydrus. 

 If the pupil is horizontal — Tropidococcyx. Passerita. 



To more easily follow the rules I have laid down above, let 

 the seeker for herpetological knowledge commence the study by- 

 comparing the heads of any of our commoner venomous snakes, 

 say the Cobra, with the head of a common paddy field snake, the 

 Dahmin' (Ptyas mucosos) or the omnipresent little ' Hul-huUia' 

 (Tropidonotus stolatus) with any species of viperine snakes pro- 

 curable. A single examination of the scales (with a small lens 

 if necessary) will give greater familiarity with the above details 

 than pages of description and in less time than is taken in read- 

 ing the above remarks. 



Other points which serve to determine the species to which 

 an unknown snake belongs, are the number of rows of scales 

 which encircle the body : if the scales are smooth or keeled, the 

 number of ventral scales and caudals, if the anal is entire or 

 divided, if the pupil is round, vertical or horizontal : and any 

 other peculiarity either in form or structure that the specimen 

 may present. 



As regards the treatment to be pursued in cases of snake-bite, 

 it would seem as though the only remedy of the slightest value 

 in the case of the effective bite of a venomous snake, is a ligature 

 applied within a few seconds of receiving the injury, and either 

 suction or excision of the wounds. If the poison once gains an 

 entry into the system, it is next to useless drenching the unfor- 

 tunate patient as is too often done with either such antidotes 

 as ammonia, ardent spirits or any so-called specifics, or torturing 

 him with the actual cautery of live coals, gunpowder, &;c., or 

 hounding the poor man about till he dies to prevent his sinking 

 into sleep. If the patient does not object to it, a glass or two 

 of brandy and water might be given, as cases sometimes occur 



