COBRA, PUFF ADDER, AND CERASTES. 53 



putrefaction had already commenced, which rendered 

 the dissection a far from pleasant task. A full- 

 grown rabbit bitten by a rattlesnake died in 13 min. 

 5 sec., the wounds being on the lower part of the 

 right ear, and very perceptible, externally the skin 

 of the ear being clotted with blood. On opening 

 the skull, I found the brain in a decomposed state, 

 some parts being greenish, and charged with whitish 

 matter, and others mixed with clots of putrid blood. 

 Of course it is scarcely necessary to remark here, 

 that after a snake has struck an object once or twice, 

 and expended most of its poison, the powers become 

 much enfeebled, and the bite then becomes com- 

 paratively harmless, though a fresh supply of venom 

 is rapidly formed if the reptile is allowed to remain 

 undisturbed. 



