THE SNAKES 321 



glands are contracted and a stream of venom forced 

 from the tip of each fang. The whole operation con- 

 sumes but the fraction of a second and the student will 

 realize how different is the manoeuvre from the delib- 

 erate bite of the elapine snakes. 



While the Common Viper is a distinctly dangerous 

 snake, its bite does not ordinarily produce death, if 

 efficient treatment immediately follows the injury. The 

 first thing to be done is to place a ligature tightly above 

 the bitten part, open the punctures with a sharp knife 

 or a razor, suck the wounds thoroughly, then wash them 

 with a solution of permanganate of potassium — and rinse 

 the mouth with the same. The effect of this chemical 

 is to oxidize and destroy the action of the poison. It 

 should be realized that these precautions should be taken 

 without the loss of a possible instant's time — a w^ait for 

 the doctor, no matter how short it may be, is apt to prove 

 a fatal procrastination. 



Under observation the Viper is a nervous and irri- 

 table snake, feeding in erratic fashion. When it does 

 show signs of appetite, it prefers very young mice — • 

 from the nest — and freshly-hatched birds. The species 

 produces living young, about a dozen in number; they 

 are quite large as compared to the parent. Dampness 

 is exceedingl_y distasteful to this snake. To maintain 

 specimens in good health they must be kept very warm 

 and very dry. 



Several small species, closely allied to the Common 

 Viper, are found in southern Europe. Among them 

 are Vipera aspis and V. latastii. 



The Sand Natter, V. ainmodytes, found in south- 

 eastern Europe, cannot possibly be confused with any 

 other European snake, as its snout is furnished with a 

 soft horn over an eighth of an inch in length on a mature 



