196 THE LIVING ANIMALS OF THE WORLD 



and are tipped with enamel, thus constituting supplementary throat-teeth. Normally this snake 

 subsists on the eggs of the smaller birds, but when short of this supply has been known to 

 leave the trees and rob hen-roosts, being able, notwithstanding its comparatively small size, to 

 dilate its mopth and throat for the reception of a hen's egg. The egg is split longitudinally 

 by the action of the throat-teeth, the contents swallowed, and the shell ejected. 



The second or " back-fanged " group includes many exceedingly poisonous species. Among 

 these may be mentioned the iNDl.AV VVhip-snaKES and their allies, comprising many tree- 

 frequenting species, closely resembling in habits and colours the harmless solid-toothed tree- 

 snakes of the preceding section. 



It is among the third or " front-fanged " group, however, that the most venomous species 

 occur. To this section belongs the death-dealing Cubra, the yet more formidable HamaI)RV.'\D, 

 the Indian Craits, the Egyptian Asp, and the Australian Black Snakes and Dea th-adders. 

 The COBRA-DE-CAPELLO, HOODEO, or SPECTACLED SnaKE, as it is variously known, is perhaps the 

 most notoriously familiar example of its section, being responsible for the greater moiety of 

 the many thousands of fatalities that annually occur among the natives of India from the 

 bites of venomous serpents. The craits, which resemble the cobras, but do not possess an 

 erectile hood, are accredited a second position in death-dealing. The peculiar feature of the 

 erectile hood that characterises the cobras is due to the circiunstancc that a certain number 



of the ribs in this region are 

 I independently movable, and 



I can be elevated and depressed 



■ at will, the skin-fold that 



overlies them being loose and 

 elastic. The back of the hood 

 in the ordinar\' Indian cobra 

 is usually ornamented with 

 two c)e-like spots, connected 

 with a loop-like band, which 

 communicate to the complete 

 pattern the fancied resem- 

 blance to a pair of spectacles, 

 whence it has derived its ap- 

 pellation of Spectacled Snake. 

 Individuals vary, however^ 

 very considerably in this matter of colour-markings; in some instances a single eye-like spot is 

 alone developed, while in others it may be entirely absent. The COMMON CoBRA grows to a 

 length of 6 or 7 feet, dimensions greatly exceeded by the Giant Cobra, or HAMADRYAD, a 

 fortunately rarer form more exclusively confined to jungle and forest districts. This species 

 may attain to a length of 13 feet or more, and on account of its deadly bite and fiercely 

 aggressive disposition is much feared by the natives of the countries it inhabits, which include 

 not only India, but Burma, Siam, and the Malay region. This giant cobra preys almost 

 exclusively on smaller snakes, frequently including the common cobra. 



A third species of cobra, known as the Haje, or Spitting-snake, inhabits Africa, from 

 Etrypt as far south as Natal. It is perhaps the fiercest member df the group, turning 

 readily upon its pursuers, or even commencing the attack. It also possesses the somewhat 

 remarkable and disconcerting habit of ejecting poison from its mouth to a distance of several 

 feet, usually aiming with considerable accuracy at the eyes of its assailant. Although 

 unattended by permanently serious effects, the pain caused by the virus striking the eyes is- 

 for the time being excruciatingly painful, placing the recipient of the unwelcome discharge 

 entirely Iiors de combat. The first record of the poison-spitting propensities of this snake, 

 made by Mr. Gordon Gumming, was received with considerable incredulity, but the statement 

 has been confirmed. A relative of the writer's, stationed in Natal, was recently the victim of 



rhM h, H G. F. Sfrrtll, HlJ.] 



ENGLISH VIPER 



Tf!c ofi/y BiUtsfi i'€twmous reptile 



[Edjrioi 



