THE RKPTII.E BOOK 



i rxix 



i- 



HEADS OF SERPENTS. 



i Skull of a harmless snake. The numerous teeth on the upper jaw are solid and rigid. 

 a Head of a rattlesnake, showing the sheath that covers the tangs when they are not in use. The double fangs on one side indicate 'ii*. 



early shedding of one of these venom-conducting teeth. Observe the opening at the tip of each fang: it is from this the poison is ejected. 

 3 Skeleton head of* a pit viper. The developing fangs may be seen behind the pair in use. A fully grown pair is ready to r place the 



functional fangs. From this illustration it will be seen a poisonous snake cannot be rendered permanently harmless by extracting its fangs. 



