284 PHILOSOPHY OF ZOOLOGY. 



die, but continued separate at the point and base of the tooth. 

 The hollow in the middle of the tooth in which the secreting 

 pulp was situate, can easily be traced as unconnected with 

 this tubular external fold. The same observer found seve- 

 ral of the common teeth having the rudiments of this exter- 

 nal groove *. It is usually supposed, that upon the first 

 fangs being destroyed, others are developed to supply their 

 place. There is, however, some difficulty in accounting 

 for the manner in which the poison duct, in such cases, can 

 change its course. It is probable that the grooves in the 

 adjoining common teeth have given rise to the opinion. 

 More accurate observation, however, can alone determine 

 the point. 



The poison itself has much the appearance of oil, but, 

 an its general properties, it resembles gum. Its noxious 

 properties continue even after it has been dried. If it 

 is instilled into the wound, in any quantity, and enters 

 any of the larger vessels, death speedily follows. In 

 other cases, there is previously great pain produced, the 

 part swells and becomes discoloured, and exhibits marked 

 indications of violent local action. The virulence of the 

 poison depends not only -on the species of serpent, but on 

 its condition at the time, and the habit of body of the ani- 

 mal which has received the bite. 



The remedies which have been suggested to destroy the 

 influence of the venom, after the bite of the animal, are nu- 

 merous, but few of them can be safely relied on. Some recom- 

 mend making an incision into the part wounded by the fangs, 

 and sucking out the venom and contaminated blood. Others 

 advise the unfortunate patient to compress the part by li- 



* Mr SMITH on the Structure of the Poisonous Fangs of Serpents, Phil. 

 Trans. 1818, p. 471, 



