94 OPHIDIAN REPTILES. 



are mucli longer than the others, and placed one to the right, 

 the other to the left of the upper jaw. The Adder, then, is fur- 

 nished with two of these 

 poison-fangs ; they are 

 curved and sharp- 

 pointed, convex ante- 

 riorly, and furnished 

 with a straight duct 

 which commences in 

 one part by a slit placed 



Fifr 2!.-Fa.gs an,l Tongue of a Pu.sonou, Colubrine Sm,ke. ^^ ^^^ anterior part of 



its base, terminating by a second and smaller cleft towards its 

 point, and on the same side. This last cleft is like a little trench 

 or fine furrow, which extends the whole length of the convexit}^ 

 These hooked teeth are surrounded by a fold of the gums, which 

 receives and partly hides them, like a sheath, when they are at 

 rest or hidden. They are attached to the upper maxillarj' bones, 

 which are small and verj' mobile, and are put in motion bj' 

 two muscles. Behind them are dental germs, intended to replace 

 them when the}^ fall out. The other teeth in the roof of the 

 niouth belong to the j^alate, where they form two rows. 



Such are the terrible wea])ous of the Yiper group. It is not, 

 therefore, as manj'' persons still believe, with the tongue that the 

 Adder inflicts its woimd ; the forked, projecting tongue serves them 

 as a feeler, and to drink with, but cannot inflict a wound. "We 

 have said that when in a state of repose the hooked teeth are 

 hidden ; when the animal wishes to use them, they issue from 

 their fleshy .sheath, some'\^'hat in the same manner as a man 

 draws his knife, when attacked, to defend himself, and in this case 

 the knife is poisoned. 



Adders use their fangs to seize the small animals which serve 

 as theii' prey. They do not voluntarily attack a IMan ; on the con- 

 trary, they flee at his apjDi'oach. But if he imprudcnily places 

 his foot on oi' attempts to seize them, they defend themselves 

 vigorously. Let us) sec how an Adder conducts itself when it 

 hunts it.s prey and takes it. In this case it may be sup,posed to 

 act without passion, merely seizing its prey for food ; it simply 

 bites, sinking its fangs into the hodj of its victim. In pro- 



