SECEETIOX AND COLLECTION OF VENOM IN SNAKES 157 



to artificial feeding in the manner previously described (see p. 17), 

 for they very often refuse to feed themselves. 



Except when a snake is mo^ilting, the venom can be extracted 

 from its glands about every fortnight ; and it is better that the 

 extraction be not performed concurrently with artificial feeding, 



Fig. ST. — Chloroformi>;g a Cobra in ohdee to Collkct Venom, at the French 

 Settlement of Pondicheeey, in India (Stage II.). 



since, owing to the fact that the venom serves the animal as 

 digestive juice, the reptile will soon perish if deprived of the means 

 of digesting the food that it is obliged to receive. It is best, 

 therefore, to select one day of the week for artificial feeding, and 

 the corresponding day of the following week for the extraction of 

 the venom. 



When the venom has been collected, it must immediately be 



