466 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH -AFRICA. 
Opisthoglypha snakes are those which possess fangs set halfway back 
in the upper jaw. This division of snakes is all more or less venomous. 
They are in the transition stage of fang development. 
The Boomslang has been proven to be as venomous as the Cape Cobra. 
Boomslangs are timid, and retreat into trees or other herbage on the 
least alarm. 
Boomslangs are the typical tree snakes of South Africa. 
During November, 1907, Mr. James Williams was bitten by a Boom- 
slang, and nearly died. 
During 1909, seventy-eight cases of deaths from snake bite were regis- 
tered in South Africa. This does not include Basutoland, Bechuanaland, 
and most of the native territories. 
The fluid spat out by the Ringhals or Spitting Snake is pure venom. 
The fluid will kill just as rapidly if injected subcutaneously as the venom 
taken from the gland of the snake. 
Black and yellow Sea Snakes are often cast up on shore by the tides 
along the South African coasts. Beware how you handle them. They 
are highly venomous. 
They are bright yellow on the underparts and sides, and black above. 
There are four varieties of Cape Cobra. They all belong to the same 
species. They differ in colour only. In captivity Cobras often fight and 
kill each other. 
The neck ribs of the Cobra are longer than the rest. They form a rough 
half-circle on each side of the neck, when raised. 
The neck skin of a Cobra is loose. When irritated a Cobra elevates 
the ribs of its neck, forming what we term a hood. 
Seven Cobras had a pitched battle in a cage in the Port Elizabeth 
Museum. They were all bitten and died. Some lingered for two months. 
The fangs of the Cobras are not nearly so long or curved as those of 
the Adders. 
Ringhals or Spitting Snakes sometimes feign death when attempts are 
made to capture them. 
If a Ringhals should spit in your eyes, get them washed immediately 
with a very weak solution of permanganate of potash. If there is no 
permanganate at hand, wash well with water, and put oil into the eyes. 
The Mamba is the most dreaded of all South African snakes. 
Never attack a Mamba in the bush unless you are well armed, and are 
prepared to shoot it dead. If you only wound it, you will surely be bitten. 
Mambas are very plentiful in the bushy parts of Natal, Zululand and 
Eastern Transvaal. 
The Green and the Black Mambas are of the same species. They 
differ in colour only. 
The green variety of the Boomslang is frequently mistaken for a Green 
Mamba. The Mamba’s head is more triangular-shaped than that of the 
Boomslang. Its fangs are right in front, whereas those of the Boomslang 
are halfway back in the jaw. 
There are fourteen kinds or species of the Cobra family, and eleven of 
the Adder family of snakes in South Africa. 
