VENOM OF SNAKES. 9 1 



is serious, according as the poison is more or less abundant in the 

 glands, and probably with the degree of rage experienced by the 

 animal, as Professor Owen supposes. 



[Of snakes in general it has been remarked that " all strangers 

 in countries where these reptiles abound are apt to exaggerate their 

 danger ; but in a year or two they think as little of them as we do 

 in England. I never knew an instance of a snake attacking a 

 person unless it was trodden upon or molested, and even then they 

 almost always give warning by hissing, or endeavour to effect their 

 escape. During my residence in the Cape colony I have at different 

 times trodden on them or kicked them in the grass unintentionally, 

 but was never bitten/'"'] 



* Moodie's "Ten Years in South Africa," vol. i., p. 318. 



