228 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
Fic. 92.—1. Puff Adder braced up and on the defensive ready for a forward thrust. 
2. The first movement in the act of striking. The head and anterior part of the bodyis thrown 
backward with lightning rapidity. 
3. Then with gaping jaws the snake makes a rapid forward stroke. 
4. If he does not succeed in driving his fangs home in the object aimed at, he falls the whole length 
of his body, as seen in this picture. 
