from 35 
VENOMS 
40 small, backwardly curved teeth; the other internal, 
the palatine, which only numbers from 20—22 teeth, having the 
same curvature (fig. 1, A). 
In the poisonous snakes 
the maxillary bones are 
shorter, and the outer row 
is represented by a single 
long and tubular or 
grooved tooth (the fang), 
fused with the maxillary 
bone, which is itself mov- 
able (fig. 1, B, C, D, E, F). 
Certain species (Dip- 
sas) have maxillary teeth 
which increase in size 
Fic. 2.—a, Maxillary bone and fangs of one of from front to rear; the 
the Viperide {Vipera russelli) ; B, maxillary bone 
and fangs of one of the Colubride (Naja tripu- 
longest teeth are grooved 
dians); ©, maxillary bone and fangs of one of and serve for the better 
the Colubride (Bungarus fasciatus) ; D, maxillary 
bone and teeth of one of the non-poisonous Colu- 
retention of prey, and also 
bridæ (Ptyas mucosus). (After Sir Joseph Fayrer.) to impregnate it with 
D 
FIG. 3.—a, Fang of one 
of the Viperide (Vipera 
russellit) ; D, transverse sec- 
tion of the fang. 
saliva; but they are not 
in communication with the poison-glands. 
The poison-fangs are normally covered 
with a fold or capsule of mucous membrane, 
in which they are sheathed. This fold con- 
ceals a whole series of reserve teeth in 
different degrees of development, which 
eventually become attached to the extremity 
of the maxillary when the principal tooth 
falls out or is broken (fig. 2). 
Poison Apparatus.—The grooved or fur- 
rowed teeth in the Proteroglypha and the 
canaliculate teeth in the Solenoglypha are 
arranged, not for the purpose of seizing 
