ITEMS OF SNAKE KNOWLEDGE. 



469 



The green variety of the Boomslang is frequently mistaken for a Green 

 Mamba. The Mamba's head is more triangular-shaped than that of the 

 Boomslang. Its fangs are right in front, whereas those of the Boomslang 

 are halfway back in the jaw. 



There are fourteen kinds or species of the Cobra family, and eleven of 

 the Adder family of snakes in South Africa. 



The Puff Adder hisses more loudly than any other South African snake. 

 It is the typical viper of South Africa. 



A snake's heart has three cavities — one ventricle and two auricles. 



Snakes are called cold-blooded creatures because the temperature of 

 their bodies is so much lower than that of the mammal class of 

 animals and birds, all of which are what we term warm-blooded. 



All reptiles are "cold-blooded." Their temperature rises and falls with 

 that of their surroundings. 



Snake venom, if swallowed, is harmless, unless there is some abrasion 

 of the mouth and throat, or if the stomach and bowels be inflamed. In 



Fig. 167. — Snake stone, showing the concave side which is applied to 

 the scarified site of the bite of a snake. It is li inches long by 

 I J inches broad, and a little over one-eighth of an inch thick. It 

 is a calculus from the abdominal cavity of a sheep, and is com- 

 posed of phosphate of lime and a little carbonate. 



this case it might be absorbed through the broken surfaces direct into the 

 blood. 



Snake poison, when swallowed, is digested just as food is. 



In case of snake bite instantly scarify the wounds with a penknife or 

 lancet and rub in permanganate of potash crystals. Then apply a ligature 

 above the bitten part to prevent the poisoned blood getting into the general 

 circulation. 



Snakes cannot crawl over perfectly smooth surfaces. 



The fangs of snakes are either hollow, or else grooved on their front 

 surface. 



If a snake has no grooved or hollow fangs in its mouth, it is one of the 

 harmless kind. 



The typical Adders have long hollow fangs. 



The Cobra Family have grooved fangs, not nearly so long as those 

 of Vipers. 



