622 THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 
THE POISON-SPITTING BLACK COBRA, RINGHALS (Sepedon hemachates) : SOUTHERN 
AFRICA (SEE PAGE 624) 
Very dangerous, owing to a habit of spitting its venom to a distance of several feet. The 
Boers call it the Ringhals from the broad white bands that show on the neck when ihe hood 
is expanded. Photo by Raymond L. Ditmars. 
