THE LIVING WORLD. 
205 
bite is not dangerous, though accompanied by great pain, and its structure is 
by no means the same. It is quite common throughout India but never does 
any considerable damage, though it is regarded with much suspicion and not 
a little superstition, some persons claiming that its bite is most virulent, 
“ requiring a double dose of medicine to cure,” whatever that may mean. 
African Puff Adder. This creature, known to scientists as the Vipera 
arietans , is found only in Africa, and usually in the southern part, especially 
abounding in the Kalakari Desert. Captain Drayson, traveller and iiaturalist, 
thus describes this dreadful creature : 
“This formidable looking reptile is more dreaded than any other of the 
numerous poisonous snakes of South Africa, a fact which mainly results from 
its indolent na¬ 
ture. Whilst 
other and more 
active snakes 
will move rapid¬ 
ly away upon 
the approach of 
man, the puff 
adder will fre¬ 
quently lie still, 
either too lazy 
to move, or doz¬ 
ing beneath the 
warm sun of the 
south. This rep¬ 
tile attains a 
length of four 
feet six inches, 
and some speci¬ 
mens may be 
even longer; its 
circumferen ce 
is as much as 
a man’s arm. 
Its whole ap¬ 
pearance is de- . 
cidedly indicative of venom. Its broad, ace-of-clubs shaped head, its thick 
body and suddenly tapered tail and checkered back are all evidences of its 
poisonous nature. It derives its popular name from a practice of puffing out 
or swelling 'its body when irritated. 
“An infuriated puff adder presents a very unprepossessing appearance. I 
once saw a female of this species in a most excited state. She had been disturbed 
in her retreat, under an old stump, by some Kaffirs, who were widening the high 
road through the Berea bush at Natal. She had several young ones with her 
and showed fight immediately she was discovered. The Kaffirs were determined 
to kill the whole family, but were fearful of approaching her. Happening to 
pass at the time of the discovery, I organized a ring, and procuring some^large 
stones, directed the Kaffirs to open fire. 
AFRICAN PUFF ADDER. 
After a few moments the excited lady 
