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CONCERNING SNAKES. 



Godkin; "and from the knowledge you boys have displayed of the subject, I don't 

 suppose it is necessary for me to say that plenty of them are met with in Australia, 

 and the Egyptian cobra is often seen in Cairo. There is one group which I am 

 quite sure you have not seen, boys." 



"What is that?" 



"The acroehoridce" 



" No; we never saw any specimens." 



"There are only three or four species belonging to the aerochorida or wart 

 snakes, but, of course, they abound in Southern India." 



"Yes; and in Singapore, Borneo and New Guinea." 



. A PIT VIPER. 



The conversation had drifted into this scientific channel without premeditation 

 on the part of any one. Mr. Godkin's study and experience had given him a 

 knowledge of the animal kingdom above the ordinary, and now and then he liked 

 to quiz his young friends, who showed by their replies that they had given much 

 attention to the same interesting subject. 



During the talk, Jack Harvey quietly smoked his pipe and listened in awed 

 wonder. He had never heard such terms used, and consequently they were Greek 

 to him. Now and then he uttered a protest, and at the last remark of the director 

 turned such a reproving look upon him that all laughed. . 



" I hope you'll catch that critter," said he, "but you'll never be able to get him 

 across the water alive." 



