140 



THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



Subsequent experiments by myself bear out this opinion, and, 

 moreover, under the microscope, a sticky, colourless fluid, identical 

 with that found in the sheath, was observed in the structure of 

 the glands, and was pressed out upon the microscopical slide with 

 the tip of a lancet. Small pieces of these glands were cut up and 

 inserted under the skin of rabbits, and slight pressure applied 

 for an instant. Within fifteen minutes the rabbits were dead. 



Fig. 59. — Head of a Boomslang (Displiolidus lyf>us), showing the poison fangs. The 

 centre one is usually the longest. 



One was stricken with complete paralysis within five minutes of 

 the insertion of the fragment of gland. 



BOOMSLANGS ARE HIGHLY VENOMOUS. 



These and other experiments, mentioned in detail a few pages 

 further on, conclusively prove these glands to be capable of 

 secreting a very virulent venom, and that the glands produce the 

 glairy sticky fluid within the sheaths enveloping the fangs. The 



