466 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



The word Sepedon, which is the generic name of the Ringhals Snake, 

 means " Noxious tooth, or a tooth causing putridity." 



If the active pair of fangs of a snake be extracted, another pair will 

 take their place in about a month's time, sometimes less or more. 



If they are naturally shed, the new fangs are ready for action in a few 

 days. 



The American Boa, known as the Anaconda, is stated to attain a length 

 of 36 feet. 



Carvings of serpents are found on nearly all the ancient Egyptian 

 sculptures. 



In India, carvings and drawings of serpents are to be seen everywhere. 



From pre-historic times, the favourite personal adornments, such as 

 rings, bracelets, clasps, etc., have been fashioned after the form of a 

 serpent. 



Most savages attribute great virtues to the various portions of a snake's 

 anatomy. Portions are utilized as charms, and as medicine. 



The ancient temples of Mexico were beautifully ornamented with 

 carvings of snakes. 



Snake worship in India amongst the low-caste Hindoos is still very 

 common. In consequence, they will not kill a serpent. 



If a serpent should intrude into a house, the Indian reverently entices 

 it into a vessel and carries it away to the jungle. 



In Africa many natives refuse to kill Pythons, as they think such an 

 action would bring many evils upon them. 



Indians are great believers in snake stones, spells, sacrifices, and herbs 

 for the cure of snake bite. 



In South Africa there are dozens of so-called cures, which are of little 

 or no value. 



Many people die, not of the effect of the snake bite, but of the treatment 

 for the cure of same. 



One of the South African " cures " is to sjambok the victim to keep 

 him awake. 



In classic times, ancient doctors were great believers in soups, decoctions, 

 etc., of Vipers. We read of such things as viper wine, viper broth, viper 

 salts, powdered viper, viper oil, etc., prescribed for various human ailments. 



Snakes hear chiefly by vibrations of sound conveyed through solid 

 substances. 



t 



When travelling along beaten foot-tracks through snake-infested bush 

 or grass by day or night, it is a good plan to carry a jingling stick, and 

 strike the ground with it every few steps. Snakes hearing the noise will 

 crawl out of the way. 



Horses, dogs, and most warm-blooded animals seem to possess a 

 power of intuition which warns them of the proximity of a snake, although 

 it may not be visible. 



The hiss of a snake will cause alarm in ail warm-blooded animals. 



I caused a snake in a box to hiss loudly near a cage containing a dozen 

 Cape Baboons and Vcrvct Monkeys. They instantly showed signs of wild 

 alarm, and set up an unearthly chattering. 



Snakes in captivity suffer a great deal from ulcerated mouths. 



