276 BIOLOGY FOR BEGINNERS 



Poisonous Snakes. While, fortunately, there are few poisonous 

 snakes in the United States, their adaptations are very interesting. 

 The long front teeth of the upper jaw are either grooved or hollow 

 fangs, moveable in some snakes and fixed in others. These fangs 

 are connected with salivary glands which, in this case, secrete the 

 poisonous venom, and are so arranged that the act of striking, 

 compresses the gland and forces the venom into the wound made 

 by the fangs. 



In common with most ideas about snakes, a great deal of non- 

 sense is current regarding the frequency and deadliness of the bite 

 of a poisonous species. To begin with, in all the United States 

 the annual death rate from snake bite is about two. Second, 

 all snake bites are not necessarily fatal. Third, unlimited whiskey 

 is not an antidote. 



The facts of the case are about as follows, summarized from two 

 eminent authorities, Doctor Stejneger and W. T. Hornaday. 



Learn to recognize and avoid three snakes: rattlers, copper- 

 heads and water moccasins. In all the United States there are 

 but five poisonous types, and the three mentioned are rare except 

 in certain localities. The rattlesnake is a fair fighter, never seeks 

 trouble, strikes only in self-defense, and always warns before 

 attacking, so that, with any reasonable care, it may easily be 

 avoided. 



The copperhead goes by other names, sometimes being called 

 the " pilot snake " or " deaf adder," and as it attacks without 

 warning, is actually more dangerous than the rattlers, though 

 slightly less poisonous. It is usually found in the woods, is 

 seldom over three feet long, and is beautifully colored with 

 broad bands of old copper on a background resembling new 

 copper. Any snake remotely resembling this description is to be 

 avoided. 



Treatment of Snake Bites. Bites are, fortunately, generally 

 received on the arms or legs, and are not necessarily, nor usually 

 fatal if properly treated. Campers in snake-infested regions can 

 obtain for five dollars or less, an outfit consisting of a hypodermic 

 needle, chromic acid solution, permanganate of potash, and liquid 



