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CHAPTER V. 
THE CHEMICAL STUDY OF SNAKE-VENOMS. 
IN the condition in which they are received on issuing from 
the glands, venoms always present the appearance of a thick 
saliva, of an oily consistency and more or less tinged with yellow, 
according to the species of snake by which the poison has been 
produced. ‘l'hey are entirely soluble in water, the addition of 
which renders them opalescent. Tested with litmus they exhibit 
a slightly acid reaction ; this acidity, which is due to the presence 
of a very small quantity of an indeterminate volatile acid, dis- 
appears on desiccation, so that solutions of dried venom are 
neutral. The taste of venoms is very bitter. Their density, which 
is Shghtly greater than that of water, varies from 1030 to 1050. 
Venoms are composed of a mixture, in variable proportions, 
of proteid substances, mucus and epithelial débris, fatty matters 
and salts (chlorides and phosphates of lime, ammonia and 
magnesia), with from 65 to 80 per cent. of water. 
The elementary analysis of Cobra-venom made by H. Arm- 
strong’ gave the following results :— 
Carbon .... is SE de ... 43°04 per cent. 
Hydrogen... Ber sch ne ae 7:00 nf 
Nitrogen ... Rap ES DE epee lars 56 
Sulphur... ee = ee MED O0 TN 
Residue... sie ma: nce ... Small quantities. 
Not much is to be learnt from these figures; it would be of 
far greater importance to know the exact constitution of the 
' “ Snake Commission Report,” 1874. 
