2588 



SCALED REPTILES 



as well as the smallest and weakest creatures succumb; but, fortunately, all who are 

 bitten do not die. In the first place, some human beings, as well as lower animals, 

 have greater tolerance than others of this or of other poisons a result, doubtless, 

 of idiosyncrasy or varying degrees of nervous energy which enables one to resist 

 that to which another would yield; or a wound may have been inflicted and yet but 



SHORT DEATH ADDER AND SPINE-TAILED DEATH ADDER. 

 (One-fourth natural size.) 



little of the poison inoculated; or, in the third place, the snake maybe weak or 

 sickly, or it may have been exhausted by recent biting, and thus have become tem- 

 porarily deprived of the power of inflicting a deadly wound. But when a cobra 

 in the full possession of its powers bites, and injects the poison into man or beast, 

 it is almost surely fatal, and all the remedies vaunted as infallible, antidotes are 

 futile." 



