268 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



the leverage thus obtained it can sometimes jerk its head free, 

 and before it is possible to shake it off, it may have the opportunity 

 of inflicting two or three bites. On the other hand, if you are 

 holding the snake's tail in one hand, and if by chance the head 

 should slip from the fingers of the other hand, the reptile can 

 be instantly dropped or cast away before it is possible for it 

 to bite. 



A snake when gripped by the neck just behind the head 

 cannot possibly turn and bite. 



When dropped into a bag, the captive snake does not struggle. 

 It coils up and lies quite still. It makes no attempt to bite 

 through the bag. 



Puff Adders may be safely approached from behind and 

 noosed, as shown in the illustration. It is not true that they are 

 able to bite by casting themselves backwards. The idea has 

 arisen through the habit of the Puff Adder of throwing back his 

 head and portion of the body to obtain a greater impetus in order 

 to cast himself forward when about to bite. Be careful when 

 standing in front of a Puff Adder, especially if he be coiled up, for 

 he is able to cast himself forward the full length of his body and 

 even a little further. Keep at least twice the length of his body 

 from him. A Puff Adder nearly bit my photographer by springing 

 forward at him. The reptile shot out the full length of its 

 body, making a desperate lunge at the man's legs with its great 

 fangs. Quick as thought it coiled, and again launched itself 

 forward, but the photographer happened to be young and active 

 and sprang aside. If I were to tell you all that we did to obtain 

 the facts and photos for this book, and how we collected venom 

 for all the experiments, it would make your blood feel as cold as 

 that of a snake. 



Many kinds of snakes may be captured simply by putting the 

 end of your walking stick across the neck and pressing it down. 

 The snake may then be taken by the neck with the finger and 

 thumb. Tree snakes should be chased until you get them into an 

 isolated tree, or away from trees altogether. If cornered in a tree 

 they assume the defensive attitude and can then be noosed from 

 the end of a long stick. If a snake is noosed in the way shown 

 in the illustration, it can be carried for quite a long time without 

 injuring it if you hold its tail firmly so that its body lies along 

 the stick. Never allow a snake's body to dangle, as this will very 



