312 SNAKES 



a proof that they are not more frequently met with in the 

 priaiitive forests of Brazil, than in the jungles of India or 

 Ceylon. 



The habits of the venomous snakes, and the external characters 

 by which they are distinguished from the harmless species, like- 

 wise tend to diminish the danger to be apprehended from them. 

 Thus, their head is generally flat, broad, lanceolate ; they have 

 an aperture or slit on each cheek, behind the nostrils, and an 

 elongated vertical pupil like many other nocturnal animals. 



They are also generally slower and more indolent in their 

 motions, and thu^ are more easily avoided. No venomous 

 snake will ever be found on a tree, and on quietly approaching 

 one in the forest or in the savanna, it will most likely creep 

 away without disputing the path, as it is not very anxious 

 uselessly to squander the venom which nature gave it as the 

 only means for procuring itself food. 



" There is not much danger in roving amongst snakes," says 

 Waterton, who, from spending many a month in tropical wilds, 

 may justly be called an excellent authority, *' provided only 

 that you have self-command. You must never approach them 

 abruptly ; if so, you are sure to pay for your rashness ; because 

 the idea of self-defence is predominant in every animal, and 

 thus the snake, to defend himself from what he considers an 

 attack upon him, makes the intruder feel the deadly effect of 

 his envenomed fangs. The labarri snake is very poisonous, 

 yet I have often approached within two yards of him without 

 fear. I took care to advance very softly and gently, without 

 moving my arms, and he always allowed me to have a fine view 

 of him, without showing the least inclination to make a spring 

 at me. He would appear to keep his eye fixed on me, as though 

 suspicious, but that was all. Sometimes I have taken a stick 

 ten feet long and placed it on the labarri's back; he would 

 then glide away, without offering resistance. However, when I 

 put the end of the stick abruptly to his head, he immediately 

 opened his mouth, flew at it, and bit it." But although acci- 

 dents from venomous snakes are comparatively rare, yet the 

 consequences are dreadful when they do take place, and the 

 sight of a cobra or a trigonocephalus preparing for its fatal 

 spring may well appal the stoutest heart. 



Prince Maximilian of Neu Wied, having wounded a tapir. 



