OF KELANTAN 153 



curious fact, by the way, that although there are 

 nine varieties of poisonous and about twelve va- 

 rieties of non-poisonous snakes in Malaya, I saw 

 but two during months of hunting— the red one 

 just mentioned and a python I killed in Sumatra, 

 which measured over twelve feet in length. 

 Snakes are abundant enough, only they get out 

 of your way in the thick, dank jungle-cover; 

 where the undergrowth is dry and less dense, as in 

 some parts of India, the snake may not so readily 

 escape unnoticed; and the danger of being struck 

 is correspondingly greater, for the attack of a ser- 

 pent is more frequently defensive than offensive. 

 I should advise the wearing of heavy leather leg- 

 gins in dry, snake-infested countries ; and remem- 

 ber that always a snake strikes downwards, and 

 therefore only a very large one, which would be 

 seen, could land on you above the knee. If ever 

 you are struck the force of the blow will surprise 

 you; at least that was my sensation when for the 

 first time a rattler hit me just above the ankle ; it 

 was like the sharp, quick blow of the hand. 



In the hilly country encountered crossing into 

 Trengganu we made even slower travel, on account 

 of the mud and rain, but barring leeches and mos- 

 quitoes the nights were comfortable enough, for 

 the camps we built of bamboo and attap leaves and 

 palms were rain proof and comparatively dry. 



