THE COBRA-DI-CAPELLO 299 



It is not advisable, however, to handle it without taking the 

 precaution of first putting on a pair of thick gloves, for it can 

 pour out a powerful and most disagreeable odour, which clings 

 to the fingers for hours, and can scarcely be removed even by- 

 repeated washings. When the snake is kept in captivity it soon 



Grass Snake swallowing a Frog 



learns to know its owner, and will submit to be handled without 

 making use of this singular means of defence. 



The grass snake delights in hedgerows, and we may often hear 

 its peculiar rustle as we walk along a country lane. If we can 

 contrive to watch it for a moment or two we shall notice that it 

 continually darts its slender forked tongue in and out of its mouth. 

 Many people imagine that the tongue is poisonous, and are very 

 much afraid of the snake in consequence. It is not so, however, 

 and the tongue of even a venomous snake is perfectly harmless. 



Next comes the Coronella, which is so scarce in this country 

 that we are not at all likely ever to meet with it. It is also quite 

 a harmless snake, and may be known by the dark patches upon 

 the head and neck, and also by the black streak under each eye. 

 Along the back runs a double row of black markings, similar to 

 those of the grass snake. 



