VI 
PREFACE. 
likely mode of effecting this, is by accurate drawings and descriptions, taken from living, or 
from recent subjects. 
The identity of the species being properly ascertained, it naturally follows to make trials on 
various animals, in order to discover the effect of its bite. Experiments of this kind chiefly 
respect poisonous serpents; though they ought not to be confined to such only: mischievous 
qualities are, by the natives, imputed to snakes, which anatomical inspection demonstrates to 
be not furnished with a poisonous apparatus; yet the imputation had better be opposed by 
experiment, than by theoretical reasoning, however specious. The poisonous serpents, never¬ 
theless, are the principal subjects of experiment, as from the effects of their poison on brutes, 
probable conjectures may be formed concerning their effects on the human species; and it is 
also probable that the same remedies may be nearly of equal service to both. But an object, of 
all others the most important, was to collect a medical account of the disease, arising from the 
poison of serpents, as it appears in the human subject; and of the most effectual remedies em¬ 
ployed in the cure. 
The successful prosecution of a scheme in its nature so extensive, required more than the 
exertions of a private individual. Information was to be solicited from those to whom I was a 
stranger; for I had the honour to be known to a few only of the gentlemen resident at the 
different settlements. It was therefore judged advisable, in the first instance, to communicate 
the design to the Governor of Madras. This being accordingly done in an explanatory Memoir, 
the design met with entire approbation ; the Memoir was ordered to be printed, and, together 
with the recommendation of the Board, to be transmitted to the several subordinate settlements. 
It is but justice, on this occasion, to acknowledge, that the willingness to lend assistance, 
expressed in return from all quarters, proved a powerful incitement to prosecute my design; 
while specimens received from different parts, enriched my collection with some that were 
unknown in the Vizagapatam district. 
As to accurate information concerning the morbid appearances consequent to the bite of ser¬ 
pents, as well as regarding the manifest effects of remedies, what it was in my power to glean, 
fell far short of expectation; and showed clearly, that little improvement in either respect was 
to be looked for, until these reptiles were better distinguished, and more universally known. 
Nor is it to be wondered, if imperfect descriptions, and the vague application of vulgar names, 
should occasion frequent mistakes. A harmless snake is often supposed to be one highly noxious; 
the person bitten is tortured by imaginary terrors; and frivolous remedies, gaining credit for 
cures, where no malady existed, are unhappily relied on in cases of real danger. It may further 
be remarked, that unless the usual course of the disease be ascertained, from close and extensive 
observation, the effects of medicines are in perpetual hazard of being confounded with the mor¬ 
bid symptoms in their natural progression ; the degree of danger indicated by any combination 
of symptoms must remain doubtful; and, consequently, the merit of remedies can never be 
justly estimated. 
The present work contains Descriptions of Forty-three Serpents, illustrated with coloured 
Engravings.—Experiments on the effects of their bites;—Experiments on several remedies;— 
Miscellaneous Experiments and Remarks; with a few Observations on the apparatus provided 
by Nature for preparing and instilling the poisons. The experiments are distributed in eight 
Sections, under their respective titles. The descriptions being calculated less for the professed 
naturalist, than for the service of gentlemen in India, not conversant in such matters, a few 
preliminary explanations will not be deemed impertinent. 
Serpents, according to the Linnaean arrangement, are placed in the second order of amphi¬ 
bious animals; but of the six genera of which that class consists, three only are to be found in 
the present collection, viz. the Boa, Coluber, and Anguis. 
The Boa is distinguished by scuta on the under part of the tail, as well as on the belly; that 
