106 POISONOUS SNAKES AND SNAKE POISONS. 



its acid character, although other researches have 

 proven it to be neutral or even somewhat basic. 



The easiest way to collect venom is by means of the 

 snake loop. With it the animal is caught by the neck, 

 lifted out of its cage and then the lip of a saucer slipped 

 into the snake's mouth. Angry at this liberty, it lifts 

 its fangs ; they catch on the inner edge of the saucer, 

 against which the reptile bites furiously again and again. 

 As it does so, that thin yellow fluid squirts out of the tube 

 or the canal near the end of the fangs and is collected in 

 the saucer. The operation may be repeated with a second 

 or a third snake, until a quantity of the venom desired is 

 at hand. It easily dries up if spread out on a plane surface, 

 and then appears shining white like the white of eggs 

 or like some brilliant varnish. It also keeps well in 

 glycerine or alcohol. 



All investigators now agree that it is albuminous in its 

 nature. As such it had always been regarded since it 

 had been proved by Prince Bonaparte to belong to the 

 albumens ; it was not yet certain, however, whether we 

 should consider it as a single body or compound. The 

 extensive and careful researches of Dr. Weir Mitchell in 

 connection with Prof. Reichert, continued for a number 

 of years at the Smithsonian Institution, have thrown 

 more light on this hitherto obscure question and enabled 

 us to see more clearly of what ingredients the different 

 kinds of snake poison are composed. 



If a little of the venom is placed in sufficient water, it 

 dissolves readily. If then the solution is heated, a 

 coagulation takes place, just such as happens when white 

 of egg hardens on boiling. If by means of a filter this 

 clotted substance is separated, we find it innocuous. 

 The clear fluid, however, which passes through the filter, 

 is poisonous; but does not produce any local effects as 

 the intact substance. This means that heat has damaged 

 its dangerous properties ; one or more of its ingredients 



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