159 



CHAPTER V. 



THE CHEMICAL STUDY OF SNAKE-VENOMS. 



In the condition in which they are received on issuing from 

 the glands, venoms always present the appearance of a thick 

 saliva, of an oily consistency and more or less tinged with yellow, 

 according to the species of snake by which the poison has been 

 produced. They are entirely soluble in water, the addition of 

 which renders them opalescent. Tested with litmus they exhibit 

 a slightly acid reaction ; this acidity, which is due to the presence 

 of a very small quantity of an indeterminate volatile acid, dis- 

 appears on desiccation, so that solutions of dried venom are 

 neutral. The taste of venoms is very bitter. Their density, which 

 is slightly greater than that of water, varies from 1030 to 1050. 



Venoms are composed of a mixture, in variable proportions, 

 of proteid substances, mucus and epithelial debris, fatty matters 

 and salts (chlorides and phosphates of lime, ammonia and 

 magnesia), with from 65 to 80 per cent, of water. 



The elementary analysis of Cobra-venom mad& by H: Arm- 

 strong^ gave the following results : — 



Carbon ... ... ... 43'04 per cent. 



Hydrogen T'OO 



Nitrogen 12-45 ,, 



Sulphur 2-50 „ 



Eesidue ... ... ... ... ... Small quantities. 



Not much is to be learnt from these figures ; it would be of 

 far greater importance to know the exact constitution of the 



" Snake Commission Beport," 1874. 



