A RINGHALS PHOTOGRAPHED. 187 



focussed, we pinned down the snake, lifted him up by the neck 

 and tail, and, holding him down on the focussed spot, suddenly 

 released him and sprang away, the photographer at the same 

 instant taking his photo just when the snake reared, as seen in 

 the picture. Trying again, he reared as usual, but in an instant 

 was down and on his way to Ullyett's legs, which were within 

 four feet of him. Snapping the shutter, the photographer 

 sprinted off. Luckily the picture turned out well, as you see it 

 in the illustration. 



That Ringhals, somehow, seemed bent upon doing some 

 damage to the photographer. My assistant picked up the snake, 

 and, holding it securely between finger and thumb, walked off 

 with the intention of thrusting it into its box. Ullyett was 

 walking behind and had removed his glasses, thinking there was 

 no further occasion for them. Suddenly there was a fierce hiss, 

 and Ullyett uttered an exclamation of alarm. He had received 

 a dose of venom on his throat, chin, and mouth. Being so close 

 the venom had not sprayed much, and luckily, none had entered his 

 eyes. We wiped the poison off his face, and assured him he would 

 come to no harm unless any portion of his skin happened to be 

 scratched. He had shaved that morning, and his skin was 

 tender, and he feared lest some might get absorbed ; but 

 fortunately it did not do so. 



Many of the photographs in this volume have only been secured 

 after considerable risk, expenditure of time, and waste of very 

 many photographic plates. It all seems so easy in theory, but 

 it is not so in practice. 



The Ringhals, as a general rule, like other species of snakes, 

 is anxious to avoid an encounter with man. The black variety 

 of the inland districts is the most courageous. Those found in 

 the coastal parts are invariably timid, owing probably to having 

 learned by frequent experience that man is a creature to be 

 avoided. When a Ringhals is surprised in his native haunts 

 with his mate during the breeding season, he will occasionally 

 become somewhat aggressive, but cannot o\^ertake a man running. 

 The prevalent belief that a Cobra or a Ringhals can overtake a 

 man riding on a horse at a gallop is imtrue. Should a large 

 Cobra of any species give chase to a man on foot amidst tangled 

 brushwood or long grass it might possibly overtake him, but out 

 on the open any active man on foot can easily get safely away. 



