140 DARWINISM AND THE PROBLEMS OF LIFE 



the common viper is to make a fire in the wood at 

 night. The unusual light attracts them, and they 

 approach in amazement and stare curiously into the 

 flames. During the day-time they are sluggish, and 

 they coil themselves into a disk, with the head lifted 

 up threateningly when a man approaches. We do 

 not know much about the viper's method of hunting, 

 but it is supposed that it gives the mouse, which is its 

 chief article of diet, a deadly bite, and lets it die before 

 swallowing it. It also penetrates into the dwellings of 

 the mice ; we can imagine the consternation of the little 

 creatures when they suddenly see their enemy's eyes, 

 sparkling with death, before them in their holes, and 

 have no means of escape. There has*^been a good deal 

 of inquiry into the viper's terrible weapon — the poison. 

 If the wound is immediately sucked out and bound up 

 the bite is not fatal, but there are frequent fainting-fits, 

 and the final symptoms of the disease only disappear 

 after six weeks. The best treatment of the wound is 

 with permanganate of potash, and an ancient and 

 constantly verified remedy is to drink a large quantity 

 of alcohol. 



The movements of the serpent are peculiar. They 

 have no limbs, and can only glide along with the aid of 

 the whole body. This motion has been compared to 

 the progress of a rowing boat, because the serpent's ribs 

 act like oars. The ribs articulate with the vertebral 

 column and have free terminations, but are connected 

 with muscles in such a way that they are pushed 

 forward and pulled back again, which gives rise to 

 serpentine motion. Other muscles, however, connect 



