48 



THE VIPBE. 



wide at the back, and the neck comparatively small. 

 Some persons compare the head of a poisonous snake 

 to the ace of spades, which comparison, although 

 rather exaggerated, gives a good idea of the poison- 

 bearing head. It has a cruel and wicked look about 

 it also, and one recoils almost instinctively. 



Should a person be bitten by the viper, the effects 

 of the poison may be much diminished by the liberal 

 use of olive oil ; and the effect of the oil is said to be 

 much increased by heat. Strong ammonia, or harts- 

 horn, as it is popularly called, is also useful, as is the 

 case with the stings of bees and wasps, and for the 

 same reason. The evil consequences of the viper's 

 bite vary much in different persons, and at different 

 times, according to the temperament of the individual 

 or his state of health. 



I may as well put in one word of favour for the 



