90 



OPHIDIAN EEPTILES. 



as seen when it has newly shed its epidermis ; but the aspect of its 

 surprisingly broad, flat, and triangular- shaped head unmistakably 

 betokens its terrific powers. Its head is remarkably massive. One 

 peculiarity of the Puff-adders is that they sometimes hold on to 

 their victim by their long fangs. Thus, of the common C. arietans 

 Sir A. Smith remarks that " although generally inactive, it is by 

 no means so when attacked its movements are then bold and 

 energetic, and when once it seizes the obnoxious object, it retains 

 its hold with great determination, and some considerable exertion 

 is often necessary to detach it." * The traveller Burchell remarks 

 of this Snake that " its venom is said to be most fatal, taking 



effect so rapidly as 

 to leave the person 

 who has the mis- 

 fortune to be bit! en 

 no chance of savi n : 

 his life, but by in- 

 stantly cutting out 

 the flesh surround- 

 ing the wound. 

 Although I have 

 often met with this 



Fig. 22. The Unadorned Puff-adder (Clothoinornata). Snake," he adds, 



" yet, happily, no opportunity occurred of witnessing the effects 

 of its poison ; but, from the universal dread in which it is held, 

 I have no doubt of its being one of the most venemous species of 

 Southern Africa. There is a peculiarity which renders it more 

 dangerous, and which ought to be known to every person liable 

 to fall in with it. Unlike the generality of Snakes, which make a 

 spring or dart forward when irritated, the Puff-adder, it is 

 said, throws itself backwards, so that those who should be 

 ignorant of this fact would place themselves in the very direction 

 of death, while imagining that by so doing they were escaping 

 the danger. The natives, by keeping always in front, are en- 



* In Chapman's "Travels in the Interior of South Africa" (vol. ii. p. 59), we 

 read " May 19th. I lost my "best Dog, Caesar. He had seized a large Puff-adder "by 

 the tail, and shook it. When the Snake was released it darted at the Dog's face, and 

 having fixed its fangs in its cheek, stuck there like a Bull-dog until it was killed. 

 The Dog only survived ten minutes." ED. 



