vi THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



Here in South Africa the native population for generations 

 past has had unquestioning faith in the antidotal effects of 

 a substance known as isibiba. This belief is also commonly 

 accepted among colonials. Yet this substance, when subjected 

 to a careful series of experiments, was proved to be valueless 

 as an antidote. In fact, it in no way retarded a fatal issue. 



If the results of these and other experiments had been con- 

 tributed to a scientific publication only, this baseless belief would, 

 perchance, not have been known by the public as such for a 

 generation or more. 



The same argument holds good in regard to the Boomslang, 

 which is a snake common all over South Africa, and which has 

 been universally regarded as non- venomous, or only to so shght 

 a degree as not in any way to be feared by man. If the results 

 of the experiments wliich disproved this belief had been confined 

 to a scientific journal or technical book, this popular belief would 

 not have been dispelled. 



I have not enlarged upon the experiments which I have con- 

 ducted from time to time during many years past, except when 

 calculated to serve a useful end. Many experiments were under- 

 taken with a view of testing the accuracy or otherwise of asser- 

 tions made in literature, both scientific and otherwise, in regard 

 to the venom of snakes, its nature and effects. 



The pioneers of investigation into the nature of snake 

 venom were Doctors Fayrer, Brunton, and Rogers, in India ; 

 and Dr. Weir-Mitchell, in America. On the foundation laid 

 down by these men, a number of scientists have been busily 

 building. 



I am fully conscious that the erudite reader may consider I 

 have indulged in unnecessary repetition in places in this volume ; 

 that T have introduced irrelevant matter, and possibly been 

 guilty of some banality. However, I would ask him, if he 

 conceives such an opinion, to bear in mind that a relatively 

 small percentage of the general public receive a higher coUege 

 education, for statistics show that up to the present time (1919) 

 80 per cent, of the European children in South Africa leave 

 school after passing Standard V,, and that even in the more 

 advanced standards none of the subjects written about in this 

 book are taught. 



This work is the outcome of many years of practical study 



