The Viperine Snakes 



with no actual proof of the function of this organ. Nor do ob- 

 servations of living snakes aid in solving the problem. It is 

 intimated by some scientists that the "pit" is an organ of hearing, 

 but there is little to back this assertion. The Pit Vipers possess 

 the same rudimentary, internal ears as do other snakes, and 

 evince no superiorty in distinguishing sound over serpents ob- 

 served generally. Dr. Leonhard Stejneger, Curator of Reptiles 

 in the United States National Museum, favours the idea of a 

 sixth sense, in relation to the Pit, and explains that man may 

 never comprehend the nature of a sense which he himself does 

 not possess. 



Dissection reveals the Pit to be more complicated than 

 seen by external examination. It extends backward toward 

 the eye and widens into a second opening, close to the eye-ball. 

 A horse-hair inserted close to the forward portion of the eye-ball 

 will appear through the large opening between the eye and the 

 nostril. Suffice it to say with these few words of explanation, 

 that the object of the Pit of the Crotalince, remains to be dis- 

 covered, but in identification, it serves as a constant and valuable 

 guide. 



The poison apparatus of the Crotaline snakes consists of 

 t'.vo long and hollow teeth fangs provided with an elongated 

 orifice at their tips for the ejection of venom. These fangs are 

 the exact reproduction, in hard enamel, of the hypodermic needle. 

 It might more appropriately be said, that mankind in manu- 

 facturing the hypodermic needle exactly duplicated the poison 

 fangs of these reptiles. The fangs are rigidly fastened to a movable 

 bone of the upper jaw, and each connects with a gland, situated 

 behind the eye, and containing the venom. When the jaws are 

 closed, the fangs fold back against the roof of the mouth. As 

 the jaws are opened, they spring forward, ready for action. The 

 forcible ejection of venom from the fangs is caused by the con- 

 traction against the glands, of the muscles which close the jaws. 

 The ejecion of poison is voluntary, and unless the reptile so 

 desires there is no necessity in closing the jaws, to contract these 

 muscles sufficiently to force venom from the glands. The fangs 

 are covered with a sheath of thin and white, membraneous flesh. 

 This is never withdrawn from them except during the act of 

 biting. A figure shows the fangs uncovered as would be the case 

 after being imbedded, during a bite; an accompanying illus- 



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