114 SNAKES. 



of lubricating mucus being excessive,' and that ' the jaws 

 dripped with the mucus which had lubricated the parts,' 

 but not once mentioning the tongue as having any part 

 in this function. The writer in the Penny Cyclopedia con- 

 cludes by saying that he had himself frequently watched 

 the snakes while feeding, and they * never covered the victim ; 

 the tongue was thrust forth, but only,' etc. And yet so many 

 book-makers who must have read this have copied the 

 anecdotes without the comment, and have thus popularized 

 the lingual lubrication ! 



