POISONOUS ANIMALS 205 



The venom of snakes is secreted by glands which 

 are situated behind and below the reptile's eyes, and 

 in some cases extend back for a considerable dis- 

 tance along the sides of their bodies. To these 

 glands are attached a number of muscles which, 

 when contracted, force the fluid into the base of the 

 poison-fangs from whence it is conducted into grooves 

 or channels which open at the summit of those 

 teeth. The muscles are only brought into play 

 when the snakes are in the act of ' striking ' with 

 their mouths wide open — a provision of Nature which 

 ensures against the venom being wasted to no pur- 

 pose — and although the majority of them only 

 discharge their poison when actually biting, yet a 

 few species, known as spitting-snakes, have the 

 power to eject the same by spitting it out. It is 

 frequently the case that a snake breaks its poison 

 fangs through too vigorous use, but the creature 

 is well prepared for such a mishap, and other ones, 

 in varying stages of development, are always ready 

 to take their place. These naturally take some 

 little time to attain to their full size, but as a 

 snake is unable to eject venom unceasingly on 

 account of the available quantity being re- 

 duced after each successive bite, an enforced rest 

 enables it to store up a fresh supply for future 

 needs. 



In the majority of snakes, their poison is a trans- 

 lucent fluid of a pale yeUow tint, and although 

 usually tasteless, that of the cobra is stated to have 

 a very bitter flavour. As some of my readers may 

 wonder how anyone could taste the poison of a 



