AS COMPARED WITH THAT OF OTHER VENOMOUS SNAKES 121 



Experiment VIII. 



June 17th. — Ten drops of the blood of the rabbit described 

 in the last experiment, poisoned by Crotalus-virns, were injected 

 into a guinea-pig's thigh at 3.40 p.m. 



The guinea-pig was not apparently affected constitutionally 

 by the poisoned blood. It was alive the next morning ; but 

 the leg was swollen and discoloured. It ultimately recovered. 



Experiment IX. 



June 24th, 1874. — A full-grown cat was chloralised at 

 1.20 P.M. J of a grain of Crotahos-i^oison, diluted with 1 c.c. of 

 water, was injected into the jugular vein. The respirations 

 were immediately quickened. 



1.21. Twitching of muscles generally. 



1.22. Efforts to vomit. Forcible extension of limbs. 



1.24. Hurried respiration and retching. Eeflex action 

 perfect. 



1 30. Muscular twitching and tetanic stretching of limbs. 

 Efforts to vomit continue. Micturition. Kolls over on the 

 ground. ^ 



1.34. Ataxy. Staggers when walking, which it can only do 

 for a few paces. Peculiar twitching of diaphragm ; not syn- 

 chronous with respiratory movements. Kolls over on its side. 



2 P.M. In the same state. 



2.8. Injected |- of a grain more of the poison into the same 

 jugular vein. The animal immediately got up and walked, 

 comparatively steadily, for several paces, as though it had been 

 stimulated, and then rolled over. 



2.16. Twitching of diaphragm continues at the rate of 150 

 per minute. 



2.18. Again got up and walked for a few paces ; but it is 

 gradually becoming more paralysed. 



2.44. Violent tetanic spasms of limbs. Eeflex action 

 diminished. 



2.46. Eeflex action gone from eyes. Deep sighing respiration. 



2.47. Convulsions. Death. Body opened immediately. 

 Lungs deeply congested and much ecchymosed. Deep red 



