Original Observation's on Reptiles and Insects of Texas. 31 



Mr. Farthingay was flung aside by the frantic sufferer, who 

 broke out of his grasp and ran to the stream howling. The 

 other followed as rapidly as possible, but only arrived in time 

 to see James struggle down the shelving bank, then totter for- 

 ward and fall. 



When he reached him it was to find life entirely extinct, James 

 lying with his head in the water and his own teeth fixed in the 

 swollen, gangrened arm. After exhausting such restoratives 

 as he had with him, Farthingay dragged the body back to the 

 cavern, when he set off to seek assistance. A few miles further on 

 he came across an old Mexican who, living near the river in an 

 adobe hut, was also the fortunate and opulent possessor of a 

 donkey and cart. 



With these latter the two men returned at once to the cavern, 

 when James' body was placed on the cart and driven to town. 

 Before leaving the place, however, Farthingay made a thorough 

 search of the cavern, and discovering a female monster with six 

 newly-born young ones, killed the entire lot. The mother, 

 though shot nearly to pieces, made an assault on the hunter, but 

 his heavy hunting boots prevented her from biting him. The old 

 Mexican who accompanied Farthingay and his friend's rapidh 

 decaying body to town, declared that James was the fourth man 

 who has been killed by these deadly creatures on the river thi? 

 spring. There is no known antidote for their poison." 



In conclusion, gentlemen, I wish to state that I omitted in the 

 above report before your honorable society all expert classifica- 

 tion as to the particular species of insects or reptiles, preferring 

 to leave this part to some one more familiar with the ''termini 

 technici," — the main object being to have submitted a concise 

 review of some of the original illustrations and observations on 

 the life history of the more rare and venomous and as yet ob- 

 scure reptiles. 



Also to Dr. M. J. Bliem I wish to express herewith my sin- 

 cerest thanks for his untiring efforts, favors and interest shown 

 in the above matter, and particularly for having the original 

 photos reproduced and framed — in the interest of this, the Sci- 

 entific Societv of San Antonio. 



