Chap. VII. 
SEKPENTS. 
145 
injecting poison on external objects as for beeping in any animal 
or bird of which they have got hold. In the case of the Dasy- 
peltis inornatus (Smith) the teeth are small, and favourable for 
the passage of thin-shelled eggs mthout breaking. The egg is 
taken in unbroken tiU it is within the gullet or about 2 inches 
behind the head. The gular teeth placed there break the shell 
without spilling the contents, as would be the case if the front 
teeth were large. The shell is then ejected. Others appear to 
be harmless, and even edible. Of the latter sort is the large 
python, metse pallah, or tari. The largest specimens of this are 
about 15 or 20 feet in length; they are perfectly harmless, and 
Kve on small animals, chiefly the rodentia; occasionally the 
steinbuck and pallah fall victims, and are sucked into its com¬ 
paratively small mouth in boa-constrictor fashion. One we shot 
was 11 feet 10 inches long, and as thick as a man’s leg. When 
shot through the spine, it was capable of Lifting itself up about 
five feet liigh, and opened its mouth in a tlireatening manner, 
but the poor thing was more inclined to crawl away. The flesh 
is much relished by the Bakalahari and Bushmen: they carry 
away each liis portion, like logs of wood, over their shoulders. 
Some of the Bayeiye we met at Sebituane’s ford pre¬ 
tended to be unaffected by the bite of serpents, and showed the 
feat of lacerating their arms with the teeth of such as are un- 
fmiiished with the poison-fangs. They also swallow the poison, by 
way of gauiing notoriety; but Dr. Andrew Smith put the sin- 
safety into one of the most imminent danger. Hiis I have often seen exem¬ 
plified in the case of birds and snakes ; and I have heard of instances equally 
curious, in which antelop-es and other quadrupeds have been so bewildered by 
the sudden appearance of crocodiles, and by the grimaces and contortions they 
practised, as to be unable to fly or even move from the spot towards which 
they were approaching to seize them.” (Dr. Andrew Smith’s ‘ Eeptilia.’) 
In addition to these interesting statements of the most able naturalist from 
whom I have taken this note, it may be added that fire exercises a fascinating 
effect on some kinds of toads. They may be seen rushing into it in the 
evenings without ever starting back on feeling pain. Contact with the hot 
embers rather increases the energy with which they strive to gain the hottest 
parts, and they never cease their struggles for the centre even when their juices 
are coagulating and their limbs stiffening in the roasting heat. Various insects 
also are thus fascinated; but the scorpions may be seen coming away from 
the fire in fierce disgust, and they are so irritated as to inflict at that time their 
most painful stings. 
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