190 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



Experiments with the Venom. 



On many occasions I have scraped the ejected venom from 

 the glass of the Ringhals' cage and injected it into animals. It, 

 in every case, proved fatal to them, kilHng them off as rapidly as 

 if the snake had bitten them. Venom which had been on the 

 glass in a dry state for two years was found to be quite as 

 poisonous as fresh venom. If the venom was kept moist for 

 a short time it decomposed, and lost its toxic or poisonous 

 properties. 



An Astonishing Fact. 



The Ringhals is well aware of its spitting power, and its value 

 as a weapon of defence, which is proved by the intelhgent way in 

 which it goes about the business. 



I have experimented many scores of times, and know for 

 certain the Ringhals always directs its venom at the face of its 

 foe. It is unnecessary to go into detail as to all my methods 

 to ascertain this fact. 



It seems wonderful that the snake should possess the instinc- 

 tive knowledge that unless the fluid enters the eyes it is innocuous, 

 for it has no effect whatsoever upon the unbroken sldn. This 

 spitting power has undoubtedly been evolved as an extra weapon 

 of defence, the serpent's object being to Wind its foe and then 

 make its escape. 



The Black-necked Cobra {Naia nigricollis) or "M'fesi" also 

 possesses the power of " spitting." 



The Effect upon the Eyes. 



The first effect of the entry of the venom into the eyes is 

 intense smarting, quickly followed by inflammation and partial 

 or total blindness. If the eyes are promptly and efficiently 

 treated, the inflammation subsides and sight is recovered. The 

 eyes should be well washed without delay, with milk, water, or 

 better still, water slightly coloured with permanganate of potash, 

 and oUve, castor, or some other bland oil dropped in. If no 

 milk or water be obtainable, the saliva should be tinged purple 

 with a speck or two of the potash and rubbed into the eyes. Be 



