experiments, 



94 THE LAND-MABKS OF 



Firstly. — " Although the effect of the venom 

 of a serpent may be for several hours very 

 evident, an animal is capable, without any remedy 

 whatever, of surviving its action ; for the day 

 after beiag bitten, the dog remained several hours 

 apparently in a dying state, but in the course of 

 the following day recovered perfectly." 



Secondly. — " After the first or second emission 

 of the poison, it becomes too weak to destroy even 

 a whelp three parts grown." 



Mr. Breton's Here Mr. Breton has mistaken the quantity for 

 the quality ; it is not that the poison is too weak, 

 but the quantity too small. But we have instances 

 on record in which several dogs have been killed in 

 succession by one cobra, and a case is cited by 

 Dr. Chevers, in which three men died, and one 

 became much affected by the bites of one krait. 

 Thirdly. — " An innoxious snake can be killed 

 by the venom of a poisonous snake." 



Fourthly. — " Rabbits and pigeons are killed in 

 two or three minutes, and full-grown dogs in 

 fifteen or twenty." 



Fifthly. — " A poisonous snake is unsusceptible 

 of the poison of another snake." 



Mr. Breton was evidently a very careful observer. 



