126 SNAKES. 



But we have now reached the confines of speculation. 

 There is enough of real fact about this ' horrid forked 

 tongue ' to interest and astonish us. We find it guarded, 

 aided, especially provided for, and especially constructed 

 and endowed ; especially harmless also. To the owner its 

 importance ranks not second even to the eyes. 



The importance of the antennae to insects is evident to 

 all who have ever watched the play of those active and 

 beautifully-elaborate organs, their infinitely varying forms 

 (often many times the length of the insect itself), their cease- 

 less play and independent action. Constantly waving, they 

 lightly touch every contiguous object; investigating on all 

 sides, they convey to insect intelligence all it requires to 

 know regarding its environments. Like a herald or a scout, 

 they literally * spy out the land,' and thus become a guide 

 and a guard to the tiny feeble creature which possesses 

 them. Throucrh them the owner learns all that is needful 

 for its well-being. 



Much as an insect uses these exquisitely - constructed 

 antennae, so does a snake its long, slender, pliant, bifurcate, 

 and highly-sensitive tongue. Ever busy, ever vigilant, ex- 

 ploring while barely touching each surface within reach, 

 yet by night and by day conveying with that slight contact 

 all necessary information to its owner. Sent out with the 

 speed of a flash, it telegraphs back with like quickness the 

 result of its discoveries. 



If we may assign intelligence to any single organ, we 

 might affirm that there is more of what we consider rational 

 intelligence in the tongue of a snake than in any other 

 of its perceptive faculties. Probably the most important 



