KARROO BEASTS, BIRDS AND REPTILES. 253 



Snake!!!" On running out, we found the whole 

 poultry-yard in commotion, and the hens clamouring 

 as if each had laid at least a dozen eggs ; while our 

 nine turkeys stood drawn up in a row, pictures of 

 imbecile consternation, chattering feebly as they, one 

 and all, made a dead point at a little empty packing- 

 case, protruding from behind which we could just see 

 the ugly, broad head of a young pufF-adder. The 

 enemy was soon despatched; and while the turkeys 

 recovered their equanimity — which process took a long 

 time — I indulged in the pleasure so dear to any one 

 with a taste for natural history, and took a thorough 

 survey of this, the first good-sized puff-adder I had 

 seen. And what a repulsive creature it was, with its 

 short, thick, swollen-looking body, toad-like head, and 

 utterly evil countenance ! Only the hideous cerastes, 

 with little demon-like horns — so common in North 

 Africa — comes anywhere near a pufF-adder in thorough- 

 paced villany of expression. 



Of all the Cape snakes the puff-adder is not only the 

 deadliest, but by far the most to be feared. For, being 

 of the same colour as the ground, it is extremely diffi- 

 cult to see : it is lazy, too, and will not take the trouble 

 to get out of your way as every other snake does ; yet, 

 when roused, it is very active, and comes at you back- 

 wards, springing a long distance with accurate aim. 

 If you are in front of it you are safe, as it cannot strike 

 forward. One morning, T— — , lifting up the rug in 

 which he had been sleeping out on the veldt, found the 

 flattened body of a puff-adder, which had evidently 



