VEGETABLE POISONS. 169 



and more decided in its attacks. When pre- 

 paring to assail its enemy, the body is erected, 

 the head is bent down so as to admit of the in- 

 teguments of the neck being extended over it in 

 the form of a hood or cloak, from whence it 

 derives its name ; when, opening its mouth, and 

 exhibiting its poisonous fangs, it springs ou its 

 enemy with the greatest agility and effect. Its 

 bites, we have already stated, have a most deadly 

 tendency, which has been fully illustrated by Mr. 

 Boag, in the New Annual Register for 1800; 

 though, from the causes we have noticed, in- 

 stances are not wanting of persons recovering 

 from them without the aid of #ny remedy. 



The greatest enemy to this serpent is the 

 ichneumon, or mangoose weasel, which feeds 

 upon snakes and other reptiles. When the ich- 

 neumon falls in with the cobra de capello, the 

 former takes every opportunity of provoking the 

 first attack ; placing himself in an attitude the 

 most favourable to slip on one side and seize the 

 head of his antagonist, which most frequently 

 produces instant death. But if it fail, he bites 

 the animal's tail to make him rise again, when 

 the second seizure generally proves successful. 

 If bitten by the serpent, the weasel sucks the 

 poison from the wound, and feeds upon a herb 

 which, in India, is considered to be an antidote ; 

 and thus escapes altogether the mortal effects 



