26 THE LAND-MARKS OF 



instant, owing to the flat tendinous insertion of a 

 part of the external pterygoid upon the parts in 

 question. It will thus be observed, that the same 

 muscular acts which deepen the wound, fix the 

 prey and inject the venom through the duct and 

 into the tissues penetrated by the tooth. Now, 

 in the case of the cobra, the act is still more 

 complicated by the preliminary expansion of 

 the hood, and the greater distance of the strike. 



It would, of course, be anticipated, in such an 

 elaborate sequence of movements as those above 

 described, that in the event of the failure of one 

 of the essential motions, the ultimate essential 

 of the whole would be materially interfered with, 

 and an imperfect or ineffectual bite would be the 

 result. , , 



The causes of an ineffectual bite, when the 



Causes of - . . i • p n • 



the infliction Snake IS poisouous and in full vigour, are : — 



of an ineffec- 



tuai bite. isf .—Miscalculation of distance. 



2nd. — The object being too near, the blow is 

 lost, and the fang does not enter the 

 part attacked. 



Srd. — Insufficient elevation of the fangs which 

 are driven back by the force of the 

 forward impulse. 



