824 



VERTEBRATBS. 



his friends. He approached his hand too near the irritated reptile, 

 who instantaneously inflicted a wound, and although every pre- 

 caution was taken, the bite proved fatal in a few hours. 



The Cerastes is a well-known snake in Egypt, and derives 

 its name from the horny scale over each eyebrow. Bruce men- 

 tions that the Cerastes can spring several feet in any direction ; 

 but his description of the stratagems employed by it, " to surprise 

 any one who is too far from it," is probably more fanciful than 

 correct, as snakes do not attack unless suddenly surprised or irri- 

 tated. The size of the Cerastes is by no means great, as its 

 average length is only eighteen inches. The snake charmers of 

 Egypt employ these reptiles precisely as their brethren of India 

 employ the Cobra de Capello. 



The Viper is a species of serpent which is, of all creatures 

 upon the face of the earth, the most venomous. Vipers vary in 



^,^1 



The TIpcT. 



Bize and length. In G-reat Britain they are generally short and 

 thick, while in foreign lands and warm 'climates they are found 

 three feet in length. Their head is flat, and their mouth some- 



