ITEMS OF SNAKE KNOWLEDGE. 467 
The Puff Adder hisses more loudly than any other South African snake. 
It is the typical viper of South Africa. 
A snake’s heart has three cavities—one ventricle and two auricles. 
Snakes are called cold-blooded creatures because the temperature of 
their bodies is so much lower than that of the mammal class of 
animals and birds, all of which are what we term warm-blooded. 
All reptiles are cold-blooded. They do not suffer pain to the same 
degree that the warm-blooded animals do. 
Snake venom, if swallowed, is harmless, unless there is some abrasion 
of the mouth and throat, or if the stomach and bowels be inflamed. In 
Fic. 158.—A few of the author’s Puff Adders and Mole Snakes. 
this case it might be absorbed through the broken surfaces direct into the 
blood. 
Snake poison, when swallowed, is digested just as food is. 
In case of snake bite instantly scarify the wounds with a penknife or 
lancet and rub in permanganate of potash crystals. Then apply a ligature 
above the bitten part to prevent the poisoned blood getting into the general 
circulation. 
Snakes cannot crawl over perfectly smooth surfaces. 
The fangs of snakes are either hollow, or else grooved on their front 
surface. 
If a snake has no grooved or hollow fangs in its mouth, it is one of the 
harmless kind. 
