FIERCE AND AGGRESSIVE. 187 
focussed, we pinned down the snake, lifted him up by the neck 
and tail, and, holding him down on the focussed spot, suddenly 
released him and sprang away, the photographer at the same 
instant taking his photo just when the snake reared, as seen in 
the picture. Trying again, he reared as usual, but in an instant 
was down and on his way to Ullyett’s legs, which were within 
four feet of him. Snapping the shutter, the photographer 
sprinted off. Luckily the picture turned out well, as you see it 
in the illustration. 
That Ringhals, somehow, seemed bent upon doing some 
damage to the photographer. My assistant picked up the snake, 
and, holding it securely between finger and thumb, walked off 
with the intention of thrusting it into its box. Ullyett was 
walking behind and had removed his glasses, thinking there was 
no further occasion for them. Suddenly there was a fierce hiss. 
and Ullyett uttered an exclamation of alarm. He had received 
a dose of venom on his throat, chin, and mouth. Being so close 
the venom had not sprayed much, and luckily, none had entered his 
eyes. Wewiped the poison off his face, and assured him he would 
come to no harm unless any portion of his skin happened to be 
scratched. He had shaved that morning, and his skin was 
tender, and he feared lest some might get absorbed; but 
fortunately it did not do so. 
Many of the photographs in this volume have only been secured 
after considerable risk, expenditure of time, and waste of piles 
of photographic plates. It all seems so easy in theory, but it is 
not so in practice. 
FIERCE AND AGGRESSIVE. 
The Ringhals is undoubtedly as fierce, if not fiercer, than the 
Cobra. When disturbed he will stand with expanded hood ready 
to give battle—aye! and he will not hesitate to advance on and 
even pursue a man for a considerable distance. The prevalent 
belief that the Cobra and Ringhals can overtake a swift horse is 
nonsense. They cannot even overtake a man running at full 
speed. 
One day I came across a Ringhals out on the veld. He 
