52 
0'S THE PHYSIOaONOMY OF SEEPENTS. 
we may either employ caustic or the cautery to destroy 
the flesh in that part. After having again washed the 
wound, let it he pressed, and strive to prevent the absorp- 
tion of the poison, by sucking the part, or, what is prefer- 
able, employing the cupping-glass. A ligature over the 
wound itself, and another tied above the wound, if its form 
will permit, to prevent the communication of the poison to 
other parts of the system, has been acknowledged to be of 
essential service, provided they be not too tightly drawn. 
We need not mention the various internal remedies that 
have been administered, except sudorifics, which have been 
stated to have good effects. M. Lenz"^ has successfully 
employed chlorine, and recommended both its internal and 
external use ; one may take daily, without inconvenience, 
an ounce or more of this chemical preparation. Frictions 
made with good olive oil have been recognised as effica- 
cious in several instances. Some naturalists ascribe 
to ammonia qualities which others deny to it : it is the 
same with arsenic, and many other remedies, which 
should only be employed with caution, and after having 
administered ineffectually those which we have already 
mentioned.! 
OP THE TOXaUE. 
The tongue of Ophidians is peculiarly remarkable, 
from its great extensibility. Covered by very firm tunics, 
weak, slender, and divided at its point into two filaments 
more or less fine, it can be retracted within a sheath, the 
mouth of which opens at a short distance before the glottis. 
The position of this organ differs in each species. In 
the Hydrophis, for example, they lie near the point of the 
snout, whilst they are placed farther back in terrestrial 
and tree snakes. The tongue of Ophidians, although 
perfectly similar to that of certain Saurians, as the Moni- 
tors and the Tejus, &c. is distinguished by the great sim- 
plicity of the hard parts which support it ; in fact, in- 
^ P. 246. 
T Consult, besides, the dissertations already cited, the Toxicology of 
Orfila. 
