196 THE LIVING ANIMALS OF THE WORLD 
and are tipped with enamel, thus constituting supplementary throat-teeth. Normally this snake 
subsists on the eggs of the smaller birds, but when short of this supply has been known to 
leave the trees and rob hen-roosts, being able, notwithstanding its comparatively small size, to 
dilate its mouth and throat for the reception of a hen’s egg. The egg is split longitudinally 
by the action of the throat-teeth, the contents swallowed, and the shell ejected. 
The second or “ back-fanged ” group includes many e.xceedingly poisonous species. Among 
these may be mentioned the Indian Whip-SN.\KES and their allies, comprising many tree- 
frequenting species, closely resembling in habits and colours the harmless solid-toothed tree- 
snakes of the preceding section. 
It is among the third or “ front-fanged ” group, however, that the most venomous species 
occur. To this section belongs the death-dealing COBR.\, the yet more formidable Hamadryad, 
the Indian Craits, the Egyptian Asp, and the Australian Black Snakes and Death-adders. 
The COBRA-DE-CAPELLO, HOODED, or SPECTACLED Snake, as it is variously known, is perhaps the 
most notoriously familiar example of its section, being responsible for the greater moiety of 
the many thousands of fatalities that annually occur among the natives of India from the 
bites of venomous serpents. The craits, which resemble the cobras, but do not possess an 
erectile hood, are accredited a second position in death-dealing. The peculiar feature of the 
erectile hood that characterises the cobras is due to the circumstance that a certain number 
of the ribs in this region are 
independently movable, and 
can be elevated and depressed 
at will, the skin-fold that 
overlies them being loose and 
elastic. The back of the hood 
in the ordinary Indian cobra 
is usually ornamented with 
two eye-like spots, connected 
with a loop-like band, which 
communicate to the complete 
pattern the fancied resem- 
blance to a pair of spectacles, 
whence it has derived its ap- 
pellation of Spectacled Snake. 
Individuals vary, how'ever, 
very considerably in this matter of colour-markings; in some instances a single eye-like spot is 
alone developed, while in others it may be entirely absent. The COMMON Cobra grows to a 
length of 6 or 7 feet, dimensions greatly exceeded by the Glvnt Cobr.a., or Hamadryad, a 
fortunately rarer form more e.xclusively confined to jungle and forest districts. This species 
may attain to a length of 13 feet or more, and on account of its deadly bite and fiercely 
aggressive disposition is much feared by the natives of the countries it inhabits, which include 
not only India, but Burma, Siam, and the Malay region. This giant cobra preys almost 
exclusively on smaller snakes, frequently including the common cobra. 
A third species of cobra, known as the Haje, or SlT I'TING-SNAKE, inhabits Africa, from 
Egypt as far south as Natal. It is perhaps the fiercest member of the group, turning 
readily upon its pursuers, or even commencing the attack. It also possesses the somewhat 
remarkable and disconcerting habit of ejecting poison from its mouth to a distance of several 
feet, usually aiming with considerable accuracy at the eyes of its assailant. Although 
unattended by permanently serious effects, the pain caused by the virus striking the eyes is 
for the time being excruciatingly painful, placing the recipient of the unwelcome discharge 
entirely hors de combat. The first record of the poison-spitting propensities of this snake, 
made by Mr. Gordon Gumming, w'as received with considerable incredulity, but the statement 
has been confirmed. A relative of the writer’s, stationed in Natal, was recently the victim of 
Photf) by H G. F. Spurrell^ \_Eastbourne 
ENGLISH VIPER 
The only Bnush 'venomous, repute 
