266 



ON SNAKES. 



always curved downwards like the blade of a 

 scythe. There is a little opening on the convex 

 part near the point. From this opening to the 

 point, which is as sharp as a needle, the fang is 

 quite solid ; but, hollow from it to the root. This 

 point may aptly be styled the pioneer of death, 

 as it makes the wound, into which the poison of 

 the irritated serpent flows through the hollow part 

 of the fang. It is the fatal weapon which causes a 

 snake to be so much dreaded, and condemns the 

 whole race to universal detestation ; although, in 

 fact, not one snake in ten, has been armed by 

 nature with the deadly fang. Still, as all snakes 

 are more or less of the same form, especially when 

 viewed at a distance, every individual is held in 

 horror: — the guiltless suffering equally with the 

 guilty. 



Armed with a poison-fang, the snake, at one 

 single stroke, (never repeated, as far as I could 

 see,) avenges itself on the unfortunate animal 

 which has trodden upon it, or has put it in bodily 

 fear, by disturbing its repose. 



When not in readiness to inflict a wound, these 

 two poison fangs assume a recumbent position, 

 so as not to interfere with the action of the ordin- 

 ary teeth which are firmly fixed, — are very small, 

 and most admirably formed to seize their prey, and 

 to send it down into the stomach. 



