SNAKES 227 



rare faculty, informed me that the mamba spat out 

 the poison in a long jet, as though it had issued 

 from a fine yet powerful syringe. There is yet 

 another snake in this part of Africa which has the 

 same power, but of whose correct name I am 

 uncertain. Going back to the mambas, however, 

 I am aware of several cases in which these reptiles 

 have administered serious nervous shocks to un- 

 oiFending mortals, as in the case of a lovable old 

 mission lady in Nyasaland, who turned down the 

 sheets preparatory to getting into bed to disclose 

 the unlooked-for spectacle of a coiled mamba 

 occupying the exact position which should have 

 been hers. But, as I have stated, actual 

 casualties attributable to them are few. They 

 create a good deal of havoc among live stock, and 

 during the breeding-season are exceedingly fierce, 

 attacking passers-by, it is said, without provocation. 

 The tree-cobra is also greatly dreaded by the 

 natives, as, indeed, are snakes of all kinds. I have 

 seen in the Baru^ very large puff-adders, some 

 quite a yard in length. They are exceedingly 

 venomous, although, unlike the mambas in this 

 respect, recoveries from their bites are by no 

 means uncommon. I remember many years ago 

 hearing a description of a snake in Nyasaland 

 which, so far as I am aware, still remains un- 

 classified. This monster, stated to be some six or 

 eight feet long, of disproportionate thickness, and 

 gorgeous colouring, was a tree-dweller, and reputed 

 to possess the singular feature of a red comb on 

 its head, together with the wholly unreptile-like 

 power of uttering a strident call. Had my inform- 



