POISON OF SOME INDIAN VENOMOUS SNAKES. 



9 



The chemical constitution of the poison has been examined 

 by Dr. Armstrong. He has not been able to separate from it 

 any crystalline principle. It is partially coagulated by heat ; 

 mineral acids produce in it a gelatinous precipitate ; absolute 

 alcohol throws down a white gelatinous precipitate ; a drop 

 of it evaporated with a little sulphate of copper solution and 

 then treated with caustic potash gives a violent coloration. 

 These reactions show that the chief constituent of the poison 

 is an albuminoid body. On an ultimate analysis being made, 

 very little difference was found to exist between the fresh 

 poison, the alcoholic precipitate, and the alcoholic extract. 

 This is the only ultimate analysis of the poison of any snake 

 which has yet been made, so far as we know. We quote the 

 results of it, and give the composition of albumen for com- 

 parison.* 



We have recently received from Bengal some cobra-poison 

 dried and in appearance resembling dried gum. On this we 

 hope to report on a future occasion. 



Although there is little difference between the composition 

 of the alcoholic precipitate and extract, there is an immense 

 difference between their physiological actions, the extract being 

 a virulent poison and the precipitate almost inert. It is to be 



* Dr. Armstrong in liis analysis does not appear to have arrived at tlie same 

 conclusions as the Prince of Canino (L. Buonaparte), who detected the presence 

 of a peculiar principle perhaps allied to ptyaline, to ■which he gave the name 

 Echidnine or Viperine, in addition to fatty matter, salts, albuminou* and 

 mucous substance. It has been suggested by Prof. Busk {vide Holmes's 

 System of Surgery. toI. v, p. 941) that the venom may reside in a principle 

 analogous to, though differing from, ptyaline. We would not, however, regard 

 Dr. Armstrong's analysis as conclusive, but hope to have the result of further 

 examination of larger quantities of the virus. 



