146 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



Conclusively Proved. 



These experiments were repeated over and over again with 

 all sizes and both sexes of Boomslangs. In all cases death 

 occurred within twenty minutes of the first bite ; the fowls and 

 ducks which were subjected to the second bite from the same snake 

 usually lived from fifteen minutes to two hours ; not a single fowl 

 recovered. 



The fowls and ducks seemed to suffer little or no pain beyond 

 irritation at the seat of puncture for a minute or two. Within two 

 or three minutes they showed unmistakable signs of collapse 

 and with a spasmodic jerk or two would suddenly expire. 



A few higher animals of greater vital tenacity were also ex- 

 perimented with, and the characteristic slow oozing of blood 

 from the fang-punctures and mucous surfaces was noticeable, as 

 was the case with Wilhams. The animals in every case gradually 

 grew worse, and after about twelve hours were chloroformed, 

 it being evident they were slowly sinking under the potent effects 

 of that subtle, death-dealing venom. 



Experiments to Save Human Life. 



Some folks will regard these experiments as cruel, but they 

 were conducted in order that human life might be saved, for in 

 no other way could I have rapidly and conclusively demonstrated 

 to the pubhc that the Boomslang is not only venomous, but 

 exceedingly so. I can go further, and claim that the venom of the 

 Boomslang is stronger in its death-dealing power to that of the 

 dreaded Cobra {Naia flava) and Ringhals {Sepedon hcemachates). 

 I forced these snakes (Cobra and Ringhals) to bite several fowls 

 by baring the thigh and holding the snakes' heads between 

 finger and thumb close up against the flesh. 



In all cases I made the snake give a second bite to make 

 absolutely sure a lethal dose had been injected. The fowls all 

 died in from five to twenty minutes — the average being fifteen 

 minutes. In most cases fowls bitten twice on the bared thigh by 

 Puff- Adders {Biiis arietans) survived from four up to twelve hours, 

 some recovering completely. The majority bitten by Night- 

 Adders (Causus rhamheatus) were very sick for a couple of days, 

 then recovered, one or two dying after twelve hours. 



