OPHIDIANS

0812
ARTES
SCIENTIA
LIBRARY
VERITAS
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
TCE BOR
SHOUERIS PENINSULAM AMZNAM
WOW!
CIRCUMSPICE
THE GIFT OF
Alexander G. Ruthven


kom
1
IM

PIVISION OF HERPETOLOGY
BE


OPHIDIANS,
ZOOLOGICAL ARRANGEMENT OF THE DIFFERENT
GENERA,
INCLUDING
VARIETIES KNOWN IN NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA, THE
EAST INDIES, SOUTH AFRICA, AND AUSTRALIA.
THEIR POISONS,
AND ALL THAT IS KNOWN OF THEIR NATURE.
THEIR GALLS,
AS ANTIDOTES TO THE SNAKE-VENOM.
PATHOLOGICAL, TOXICOLOGICAL, AND MICROSCOPICAL FACTS;
TOGETHER WITH MUCH INTERESTING MATTER HITHERTO
NOT PUBLISHED.
BY
✓ S. B. HIGGINS, S. A.,
HONORARY MEMBER OF THE HOMEOPATHIC INSTITUTE OF THE UNITED STATES
OF COLOMBIA.
FIRST AMERICAN EDITION.
PUBLISHED BY
BOERICKE & TAFEL,
NEW YORK:
No. 145 GRAND STREET.
PHILADELPHIA:
No. 635 ARCH STREET.
1873.

Museums
QL
666
1,06
H64
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873,
BY BOERICKE & TAFEL,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D.C.
SHERMAN & Co., PRINTERS.
Museums
Gift.
Alexander G. Ruthven
12-8-72

971680-154
DEDICATORY.
TO DR. ANTONIO M. BUITRAGO,
OF BARANQUILLA, UNITED STATES OF COLOMBIA,
AS A TESTIMONIAL OF ESTEEM AND FRIENDSHIP,
This Volume is Dedicated,
IN APPRECIATION OF THOSE STERLING QUALITIES WHICH
COMBINE TO MAKE A TRUE PHYSICIAN,
AND WHICH HE POSSESSES IN AN EMINENT DEGREE:
BY THE AUTHOR.


INTRODUCTION.
The subject treated in this work has occupied the author's
attention and study for many years. When quite young he wit-
nessed the excruciating torments suffered by a person bitten by a
rattlesnake, and the question suggested itself to his mind, Can it
be possible that such a deadly poison exists in nature without an
antidote existing somewhere near it at the same time?
In Bible history,* when the Israelites, journeying from Mount
Hor by the way of the Red Sea, were visited by the plague of
“numberless fiery serpents,” Moses, at God's command, caused to
be made “a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came
to pass that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the
serpent of brass he lived." This seems to indicate that the anti-
dote to the poison lies in the snake itself. Following up this idea
leads us to the bile or gall as the object of our search.
Experiments prove that its efficacy as an antidote is beyond
dispute. A very great number of cures of snake bites made by
preparations of snake-galls place a seal upon the value of this
discovery.
The Author makes no claim to literary merit in this work, but
it is given to the public with the hope that the student may find
* Numbers, Chapter XXI.

6
INTRODUCTION.
yet
in its pages more matter than has ever yet been collated into one
volume upon the subject, Ophidians; that the physician may find
herein in a single mass of facts all that is as yet known, and all
the reliable matter hitherto published in any work about snake-
poisons and their action in a pathological and in a toxicological
sense; and some facts about their nature which have never been
mentioned heretofore by any one who has made the subject a
study; and that the general reader may find, in the ensuing
pages, wherewith to pass an agreeable hour, and herein to add
some new and interesting facts to his store of general information.
As but little is known about the action of serpent-poisons,
so that every contribution to science in this sense adds to the
knowledge already acquired. The Author hopes that if anything
really new is contributed in this volume it may serve as an incen-
tive to some one else, better qualified by scientific attainments
than himself, to make further and more exhaustive studies in this
branch ; and that this interest may not cease until our knowledge
on this point shall have become complete in every respect.
In cold climates, where few really venomous snakes exist, this
subject is of little general interest; but in the tropics, where one
is everywhere, both by night and by day, liable to be bitten by
one of these repugnant reptiles, it becomes a matter of life and
death.
In pursuing this study I had occasion to visit London, and
while there had access to the British Museum Library. This is
an institution of which England may boast with pride.
I went there a perfect stranger, and after going through a
simple formality I was surrounded with every possible convenience
and attention by the admirable regulations, so well and efficiently
carried out by the gentlemanly superintendent of the reading-

INTRODUCTION.
7
room, Mr. Bull, and a host of attendants under him. Any one
of the million volumes stored upon the shelves was at my dispo-
sition, and after pondering over some of them to my liking, I
came away with one poignant regret, viz., that in America we
have nothing that even approaches to this vast treasure-store of
the world's literature; that on this point England stands alone,
unapproachable!
I desire, in this connection, to express my obligations to Dr. J.
Forbes Watson, of the India Office, for his obliging and polite
attentions in many ways: to Lord Calthorpe, for using his influ-
ence in my favor with the Board of the Zoological Society of
London: to Lord Odo Russell, British Ambassador to Berlin,
for letters of introduction so kindly furnished by him: and to
Robert Bunch, Esq., Her Majesty's Ambassador to Bogota,
United States of Colombia, for letters to Earl Granville, &c., &c.
I permit myself to indulge the hope that, although this task
has been a repugnant one, and attended by such great risks as no
one knows of who has not wrought in the same field, yet directions
herein given may enable some one who peruses this work to save
thereby some fellow-mortal's life. To know of such a case will
more than repay my efforts, and afford me the consolation which
follows after the performance of every labor of love. .
S. B. HIGGINS.
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA,
January, 1873.


PREFATORY.
THE Author does not claim to have been the first person to
use galls of a venomous serpent to cure bites of the same, for it
is known that the Curers of greatest fame in Venezuela have used
a mixture of galls with other antidotes for many years; and it
is believed that the use of this mixture was practiced by the In-
dians, and by them communicated to the former, possibly so long
as a century ago.
He does claim, however, to have been the first person to use
the gall alone, unmixed with any other substance, to cure the bite
of a serpent of the same kind from which the gall was taken;
and also to have been the first person to initiate and carry out a
long series of experiments with snake-poisons, the results of which
have developed to him a new law in therapeutics, which may
be
expressed in the following terms: " Every animal poison has its
perfect and specific antidote in the gall of the animal or reptile in
which that poison is secreted."
The study of this subject was commenced in the year 1850,
and when he had an opportunity to make the experiments just
referred to, his only object being to discover, if possible, a specific
antidote for snake-poisons, without a thought of putting his
labors in a book form; no records of the experiments were kept,

10.
PREFATORY.
and no data retained, except in memory, which can be given in
proof of what is herein asserted.
After having cured nearly fifty persons bitten, and at the in-
stance of several friends in South America, he was persuaded to
publish a small work in Spanish, intended to give some general
notions about Ophidians, a list of antidotes, and the "secret
methods of cure” used by the Curers, &c., &c., intended as a
manual, and containing the method of preparation of the galls,
and such simple directions about their administration as could be
comprehended clearly by every person of the lowest mental ca-
pacity, and which would enable such a person to treat any case
of snake bite without hesitation. A continued and further study
of the subject, and a desire to extend his field of labors in this
sense, led to his placing his discoveries at the disposition of the
British Government.
Further studies and researches made at the great library of
the British Museum, that greatest of all the storehouses of scien-
tific lore in the world, have given the subject the form in which
it is here presented to the public. No one is more fully sensible
than himself of its imperfections. His desire was to have made
the study exhaustive, and to this end further studies will be
prose-
cuted, which he hopes at some future time may be received by
those who take any interest in the subject with the same leniency
he asks for this humble literary effort, made with the hope that
it may not be devoid of value to science.

OPHIDIANS.
GENERAL REMARK S.
IN ancient times serpents were an object of worship.
Las Casas speaks of the Ringed Boa, or Aboma, found in
Mexico, a reptile of great destructive powers, as being wor-
shipped by them as an object of fear. The Incas considered
the snake to be a symbol of cunning and wisdom, and as such
it was sacred and adored. The Hindoos believed it to be
possessed of supernatural powers, of which they saw glimpses
in the expanded hood of the Cobra, consequently images of
Brahma and Vishnu are found in their temples and on the
decorations of the cars of Juggernaut, standing upon the
caudal coil of a serpent whose perpendicular folds overlie each
other, and whose neck and head expand into a broad concavo-
convex hood, whose upper periphery is divided into triangular
points, each of which bears a smaller head with distended
jaws, thus forming the appearance of a canopy over the head
of the god. A small image carved in stone, and about three
feet in height, answering nearly to the above description, may
be seen at the India Museum, in the India Office, in London.
The symbolical twining of serpents around the staff of
Æsculapius indicates a belief in its endowment with some ex-
traordinary virtues in connection with the healing art, while the
Caduceus of Mercury, composed of two intertwined serpents,
a

12
OPHIDIANS.
can be supposed to convey a subtler meaning, and symbolize
a belief in its magnetic power; its bearer was the messenger
of the gods, and his wand may be supposed to typify an
attribute of a higher nature not known to its bearers, but be-
lieved to exist in the reptile.
To go back to the remotest epoch in history, we find the
prince of darkness represented as a serpent tempting Eve;
and it should cause no wonder to the student, who tries to
trace popular beliefs to their origin, that all the histories of
all people and nations should bear some record of the adop-
tion of a marked belief in the existence of some peculiar
virtues or characteristics in these reptiles. These are born of
experience, and merit of the man of science, a profound at-
tention and study, although the scientific world has heretofore
satisfied itself by assigning to such beliefs a purely supersti-
tious origin.
a
The classification of Ophidians is a task attended with great
difficulty in many cases.
Some varieties are distinctly marked, such as the Elaps
Corallinus, for example; others occur possessing very
different
characteristics; a third class possess marks peculiar to both
species, produced by a male of the first kind copulating with
a female of the latter species: this leads to the formation of
a new species, and following this custom of naturalists leads
to a most interminable number of varieties, which could be
very much simplified by adopting another method of classifi-
cation.

BUFFON'S CLASSIFICATION.
13
Buffon's classification of Ophidians* is as follows, viz. :
Genera.
No. of
species.
Genera.
No. of
species.
Genera.
No. of
species.
18
1
Orvetia,
19. {
16
5
}
5
150
1
2
co N
2
4
3
1. Boa,
2. Python,
3. Coral,
4. Bungarus,*
5. Hurria,
6. Acanthopis,*
7. Crotalus,*
8 Scytalus,*
9. Lachesis,*
3
10. Cenchris,*
11. Vipera,*
12. Coluber,
13. Platurus,
14. Enhydris,
15. Langaha,*
16. Erpetons,
17. Eryxæ,
18. Clothonia,*
5
6
20. Ophiosaurus,
21. Pelamis,
22. Hydrophis,*
23. Acrochordon,
24. Amphisbona,
25. Cecilia,
1
1
1
7
1
2
5
4
4
2
2
i
Making a total of 25 genera composed of 251 species ; of
these he considered 11 genera (viz., Nos. 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,
13, 15, 18, and 22), composing 36 species, as venomous, and
14
genera of 215 species as innocuous.
Many other species of the genera innocuous are known to
be venomous,
such as the Coral, Acrochordon, and Amphis-
bona, and later naturalists have found it necessary to modify
the preceding classification considerably. The one generally
accepted as the most complete at the present time is undoubt-
edly that of the celebrated zoologist, Dr. Günther.
Dr. Fayrer, in his Thanatophidia, adopts Günther's classifi-
cation. This gives no North American genera. The discrep-
ancy, however, is filled by the following:
* Buffon's Nat. Hist., vol. 83, p. 87.
† Reptiles of British India, London, 1864.

14
OPHIDIANS.
SYSTEMATIC TABLE OF WELL-ASCERTAINED SPECIES
OF NORTH AMERICAN SERPENTS.*
6
66
FIRST GENUS—CROTALUS, Linn.
1. Crotalus durissus, Linn. Penna., Louisiana, Miss.
2.
adamantus, Beauv. South Carolina.
3.
atrox, B. & G. Texas.
4.
lucifer, B. & G. Oregon.
5.
confluentus, Say. Arkansas, Texas.
6.
molossus, B. & G. Sonora.
7.
Oregonus, Holbr. Columbia River.
66
(6
6
SECOND GENUS—CROTALOPHORUS, Gray.
1. Crotalophorus miliarius, Holbr. Georgia, S. Carolina.
2.
consors, B. & G. Texas.
3.
tergeminus, Holbr. Wis., Mich., Ohio.
Edwardsii, B. & G. Mexico, Sonora.
5.
Kirtlandii, Holbr. Ohio.
4.
66
e
66
THIRD GENUS—AGKISTRODON, Beauv.
1. Agkistrodon contortrix, B. & G. Ohio, Pa., S. C., La. .
FOURTH GENUS—TOXICOPHIS, Troost.
1. Toxicophis piscivorus, B. & G. Louisiana.
2.
pugnax, B. & G. Texas.
FIFTH GENUS-ELAPS. Fitz.
1. Elaps fulvius, Cuv. South Carolina.
2. tenere, B. & G. Texas.
3. “ tristis, B. & G. Mississippi, Texas.
(
* Catalogue of North American Reptiles, by Baird and Girard. Pub-
lications by the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, 1853.

SPECIES OF NORTH AMERICAN SERPENTS.
15
66
66
(6
Hos o córios
SIXTH GENUS—EULAINIA, B. & G.
1. Eulainia saurita, B. & G. Mass., Pa., N. Y., Md., Va.
2.
Faireyi, B. & G. Louisiana.
3.
proxima, B. & G. Ark., Texas, New Mexico.
4.
infernalis, B. & G. California.
5.
Pickeringii, B. & G. Oregon.
6.
parietalis, B. & G. Texas.
7.
leptocephala, B. & G. Oregon.
8.
sirtalis, B. & G. Me., Mich., N. Y., Penna.,
Md., Va., S. C., Miss.
9.
dorsalis, B. & G. Texas.
10.
ordinata, B. & G. Georgia.
11.
ordinoides, B. & G. California.
12.
radix, B. & G. Wisconsin.
13.
elegans, B. & G. California.
14.
vagrans, B. & G. Mexico, California, Oregon.
15.
Marciana, B. & G. Arkansas, Texas.
16.
concinna, B. & G. Oregon.
66
66
60
66
66
66
= ai có 4 5
3
SEVENTH GENUS—NERODIA, B. & G.
1. Nerodia sipedon, B. & G. Mich., Mass., Pa., N. Y., Md.
2.
fasciata, B. & G. South Carolina.
erythrogaster, B. & G. Louisiana, S. Carolina.
.
Agassizii, B. & G. Lake Huron.
.
Woodhousii, B. & G. Texas.
6.
taxispilota, B. & G. Georgia.
7. Holbrookii, B. & G. Louisiana.
8.
niger, B. & G. Massachusetts.
9.
rhombifer, B. & G. Arkansas.
10.
transversa, B. & G. Arkansas.
66
66
CO
66

16
OPHIDIANS.
EIGHTH GENUS—REGINA, B. & G.
1. Regina leberis, B. & G. Mich., Ohio, Pennsylvania.
2.
rigida, B. & G. Pennsylvania, Georgia.
3. Grahamii, B. & G. Texas.
Clarkii, B. & G. Texas.
66
4.
66
NINTH GENUS—NINIA, B. & G.
1. Ninia diademata, B. & G. Mexico.
66
og i loco
TENTH GENUS—HETERODON, Beauv.
1. Heterodon platyrhinos, Latr. Pa., Va., S.C., Ohio, Miss.
cognatus, B. & G. Texas.
3
niger, Troost. Pa., S. Carolina, Mississippi.
4.
atmodes, B. & G. Georgia, S. Carolina.
simus, Holbr. S. Carolina, Mississippi.
6.
nascicus, B. & G. Ark., Texas, Sonora, Cal.
66
C6
ELEVENTH GENUS-PITUOPHIS, Holbr.
1. Pituophis melanoleucus, Holbr. California.
2.
bellona, B. & G. Texas, California, Sonora.
3.
McClellanii, B. & G. Arkansas.
4.
catenifer, B. & G. California.
5.
Wilkesii, B. & G. Oregon.
6.
annectens, B. & G. California.
66
66
TWELFTH GENUS-SCOTOPHIS, B. & G.
1. Scotophis Alleghaniensis, B. & G. Pennsylvania.
2.
Lindheimerii, B. & G. Texas.
3.
vulpinus, B. & G. Michigan, Wisconsin.
4.
confinis, B. & G. South Carolina.
66
66

SPECIES OF NORTH AMERICAN SERPENTS.
17
၊
5. Scotophis lætus, B. & G. Arkansas.
6.
guttatus, B. & G. S. C., Ga., Miss.
7.
quadrivittatus, B. & G. Florida.
8.
Emoryi, B. & G. Texas.
66
66
66
THIRTEENTH GENUS—OPHIBOLUS, B. & G.
1. Ophibolus Boylii, B. & G. California.
2.
splendidus, B. & G. Sonora.
3.
Sayi, B. & G. La., Miss., Ark., Texas.
4.
getulus, B. & G. S. C., Miss.
5.
rhombomaculatus, B. & G. Ga., S. C.
6.
eximius, B. & G. Mass., N. Y., Penn.
7.
clericus, B. & G. Va., Miss.
8.
doliatus, B. & G. Mississippi.
9.
gentilis, B. & G. Arkansas, Louisiana.
66
os ocorosos
FOURTEENTH GENUS—GEORGIA, B. & G.
1. Georgia Couperi, B. & G. Georgia.
2.
obsoleta, B. & G. Texas.
66
66
FIFTEENTH GENUS—BASCANION, B. & G.
1. Bascanion constrictor, B. & G. Pa., Md., Miss., S.C., La.
2.
Fremontii, B. & G. California.
3.
Foxii, B. & G. Michigan, Pennsylvania.
4.
flaviventris, B. & G. Texas, California.
5.
vetustus, B. & G. California, Oregon.
66
1
SIXTEENTH GENUS—MASTICOPHIS, B. & G.
1. Masticophis flagelliformis, B. & G. South Carolina.
2.
flavigularis, B. & G. Texas, Arkansas.
3.
mormon, B. & G. Utah.
66
66
2

18
OPHIDIANS.
4. Masticophis ornatus, B. & G. Texas.
5.
teniatus, B. & G. California.
6.
Schottii, B. & G. Texas.
66
SEVENTEENTH GENUS-SALVADORA, B. & G.
1. Salvadora Grahamiæ, B. & G. Sonora.
EIGHTEENTH GENUS—LEPTOPHIS, Bell.
1. Leptophis æstivus, Bell. Md., Va., S. C., Miss.
2.
majalis, B. & G. Texas, Arkansas.
66
NINETEENTH GENUS—CHLOROSOMA, Wagl.
1. Chlorosoma vernalis, B. & G. Maine, Mass., N. Y.,
Penn., Mich., Wisconsin, Miss.
TWENTIETH GENUS—CONTIA, B. & G.
1. Contia mitis, B. & G. California, Oregon.
TWENTY-FIRST GENUS—DIADOPHIS, B. & G.
1. Diadophis punctatus, B. & G. N. Y., Pa., Ga., S. C.,
Mississippi.
2.
amabilis, B. & G. California.
3
docilis, B. & G. Texas.
4.
pulchellus, B. & G. California.
5.
regalis, B. & G. Sonora.
(6
din i
66
66
TWENTY-SECOND GENUS-LODIA, B. & G.
1. Lodia tenuis, B. & G. Oregon.
TWENTY-THIRD GENUS-SONORA, B. & G.
1. Sonora semiannulata, B. & G. Sonora.

SPECIES OF NORTH AMERICAN SERPENTS.
19
TWENTY-FOURTH GENUS-RHINOSTOMA, Fitz.
1. Rhinostoma coccinea, Holbr. S. C., Ga., Miss., La.
TWENTY-FIFTH GENUS-RHINOCHEILUS, B. & G.
1. Rhinocheilus Lecontii, B. & G. California.
TWENTY-SIXTH GENUS—HALDEA, B. & G.
1. Haldea striatula, B. & G. Va., S. C., Miss.
TWENTY-SEVENTH GENUS-FARANCIA, Gray.
1. Farancia abacurus, B. & G. South Carolina, Louisiana.
TWENTY-EIGHTH GENUS—ABASTOR, Gray.
1. Abastor erythrogrammus, Gray. Georgia.
TWENTY-NINTH GENUS—VIRGINIA, B. & G.
1. Virginia Valeriæ, B. & G. Md., Va., S. C.
THIRTIETH GENUS–CELUTA, B. & G.
1. Celuta amoena, B. & G. Pa., Md., Va., S. C., Miss.
THIRTY-FIRST GENUS—TANTILLA, B. & G.
1. Tantilla coronata, B. & G. Mississippi.
2.
gracilis, B. & G. Texas.
(6
THIRTY-SECOND GENUS–OSCEOLA, B. & G.
1. Osceola elapsoidea, B. & G. S. C., Miss.

20
OPHIDIANS.
THIRTY-THIRD GENUS–STORERIA, B. & G.
1. Storeria Dekayi, B. & G. Wis., Mich., Ohio, Mass.,
N. Y., Pa., Md., S. C., Ga., La., Texas.
.
occipito-maculata, B. & G. Maine, N. Y.,
Lake Superior, Wis., Pa., S. C., Ga.
2
.
THIRTY-FOURTH GENUS—WENONA, B. & G.
1. Wenona plumbea, B. & G. Oregon.
2.
Isabella, B. & G. Oregon.
06
THIRTY-FIFTH GENUS—RENA, B. & G.
1. Rena dulcis, B. & G. Texas.
2. “ humilis, B. & G. California.
SUMMARY
35
2
37
GENERA,
From below,
Total genera, :
SPECIES,
From below, .
Total species, .
119
9
-128
66
OTHER SPECIES, NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRECEDING.
1. Toxicophis atrofuscus, Troost. Tennessee.
2. Coluber testaceus. Say. Rocky Mountains.
.
3
Sayi, Schlegel. Missouri.
4.
vertebralis, Blainv. California.
5.
(Ophis) California, Blainv. California.
(Zacholus) zonatus, Blainv. California.
7.
planiceps, Blainv. California.
co Loco
6.
(6

SPECIES OF NORTH AMERICAN SERPENTS.
21
8. Coluber Charina Bottæ, Gray. (Boidæ.) California.
9. Ophthalmidion longissimum, Dum. & Bibr. (Typhlo-
pidæ.) Florida.
These 37 genera, composed of 128 species, are embraced
under 4 family groups, with the following specific and dis-
tinguishing characteristics, viz.:
FAMILY I.—CROTALIDÆ. Erectible poison-fangs in
front. Few teeth in upper jaw. A deep pit between eye and
nostril.
FAMILY II.—COLUBRIDÆ. Both jaws fully provided
with teeth. No anal appendages.
A. Loreal and anteorbital shields both present.
B. Either loreals or anteorbitals absent.
FAMILY III.-BOIDÆ. Both jaws with teeth. Rudi-
ments of hinder limbs, or spur-like anal appendages.
FAMILY IV.-TYPHLOPIDÆ. Teeth only in one jaw,
either the upper or lower. Upper jaw prominently project-
ing. Scales on the belly instead of scutella (scuta ?), dis-
posed in several series, like those on the dorsum.
FAMILY I comprises Genera Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive.
II comprises Genera Nos. 5 to 33, inclusive.
III comprises Genera Nos. 34 and 35.
IV comprises Genera Nos. 36 and 37.
Few of the preceding species are included in Günther's
classification, but more are referred to in descriptions of species
in this work.
The classification just mentioned embraces only 21 genera,
which are composed of 109 species, and is as follows, viz. :

22
OPHIDIANS.
No.
Genera.
No. of
Species.
No.
Genera.
No. of
Species.
1.
10
8
2
12.
13.
2.
11
3.
1
14.
4
4.
16
2
15.
16.
5.
3
Typhlopidæ,
Tortricidæ,
Zenopeltidæ,
Uropeltidæ,
Calamaridæ,
Oligodontidæ,
Colubridæ,
Homalopsida,
Psammophida,
Dendrophidæ,
Dryiophidæ,
6
2
Dipsadida,
Lycodontidae
Amblycephalidae,
Pythonidæ,
Erycidæ,
Acrochordidæ,
Elapidæ,
Hydrophidæ,
Crotalidæ,
Viperidæ,
6.
3
7.
4
2
8.
8
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
7
9.
o O NO LA
2
4
25
10
8
11.
Total No. of Species, 109
The classification by Baird and Girard of existing species
found in North America is differently arranged from Gün-
ther's, and has such a complicated nature that it has few
genera and fewer species in common with it.
As far, however, as it is possible to harmonize all the
classifications of different naturalists herein given, a summary
gives the following 8 families, viz. :
FAMILY I. COLUBRIDÆ. FAMILY V. ELAPIDE.
II. BOIDÆ.
VI. HYDROPHIDA.
III. TYPHLOPIDÆ.
VII. VIPERIDA.
IV. COLUBRIFORMES. VIII. CROTALIDÆ.
Composed of 227 genera and 645 species; of all of which
latter mention is made in this work.
OPHIDIA COLUBRIFORMES.
Innocuous Snakes, without grooved or perforated fanglike teeth
in front.
FIRST GENUS_TYPHLOPID Æ.
Body cylindrical, rigid, covered with comparatively large, polished

GÜNTHER'S CLASSIFICATION OF SPECIES.
23
scales, firmly adherent; head not distinct from neck; none of the teeth
are enlarged; ventral scales not larger than dorsal; no mental groove;
upper labials, four.
Of this genus India and the Eastern world furnish
8 species, viz. :
No. 1. Typhlina lineata. Wagler.
2. Typhlops nigro-albus. Dum. & Bib.
3.
Horsfeldii. Gray.
4.
bothryorhyncus. Günther.
5.
striolatus. Peters.
6.
Siamensis. Günther.
7.
Braminus. Dana, Cuvier. .
This latter species is the Rondoo Talooloo Pam of Dr.
P. Russell, and is described as follows, under two varieties,
66
viz. :
Called R. T. Pam, or "double-headed snake.” Abdominal squamæ,
151; subcaudal, 120 = 271. Head not broader than the neck, ovate,
obtuse, convex, covered with nine laminæ of unusual shapes; mouth
contracted, marginal, maxillary, and pterygoid rows of teeth in upper
jaw; eyes lateral, small, not prominent; nostrils close, and very small;
trunk cylindrical and of nearly equal thickness from head to tail ; scales
small, orbicular, imbricate, each with a black dot upon its apex; length
10.2 inches, diameter less than 8 inch ; tail 41 inches; has a blunt point
and very little taper; color reddish-brown, part of the tail is cineritious
or very pale blue; the squamæ are glossy white.
OBSERVATIONS.
This variety is very quick in its movements, and, if loosened
on the sand, it burrows into it instantly, and is probably
called two-headed from the fact that it moves forward and
backward with equal facility.*
Another variety, called R. T. Pam, in Vizagapatam is 6 inches in
length; head only distinguishable upon close inspection, as the body is
* For this reason it should be classed among the Amphisbonæ.

24
OPHIDIANS.
of a uniform thickness, and point of tail very obtuse. There are 3 or 4
very small laminæ on the head, which is covered with suborbicular scales,
too small to be counted; diameter hardly 4 inch; color, cream, with
innumerable black dots. *
OBSERVATIONS.
66
66
Very common in Vizagapatam, and crawls backward and
forward with equal facility.
No. 8. Typhlops onychocephalus. Wagl. Australia fur-
nishes 10 species, viz.:
Typhlops polygramaticus. Schlegel’s blind snake. Krefft.
nigrescens. Gray's blind snake.
Rüppellii. Ruppell's blind snake.
Preisii. Preiss's blind snake.
bicolor. Schmidt's blind snake.
bituberculatus. Peters's blind snake.
Australis. West Australia blind snake.
Güntherii. Günther's blind snake.
Wiedii. Wied's blind snake.
unguirostris. Queensland blind snake.
66
66
66
66
66
No species are classified under African genera.
In South America several species are known to exist, par-
ticularly in Brazil and in the forests of the Isthmus of
Panama; some are also found in Venezuela.
Captain Raverty says,& in Puskto there is a species of
snake called Kaochah or Kawchah, of a dirty earth color,
covered with red spots, whose bite is said to be mortal. In-
dividuals of this variety are said to be as thick as a man's
arm,
less than two feet in length, and of a very repulsive
appearance.
* This is another Amphisbænus.
† G. Krefft's Snakes of Australia.
# Notes on Kaferistan.

TORTRICIDÆ.
25
The Gunnus or Aphia is also very poisonous, of about the
same size as the preceding, and of very repulsive appearance.
Both these species are found in stony places; the latter par-
ticularly abounding along the eastern slope of the valley of
Kashmir.
Wise says* that the Grecian physicians of olden times
found no remedies for snake bites, but the Indians did cure
persons bitten; on which account an edict was published,
ordering all persons bitten by a serpent to be brought to the
king's tent, where the Hindoo physicians would cure them.
SECOND GENUS-TORTRICIDÆ.
Ventral scales but little larger than the others; a mental groove ex-
ists; upper labials six.
These are “short tails,” those found in the East Indies
belonging to one species only.
No. 1. Tort. cylindrophis (Wagler, Rufus, Gray), is the
Schilay Pamboo of Dr. Patrick Russell.
No. 2. T. cylindrophis maculatus (Linn.) is the Anguis
maculata of Russell. These are both East India species.
Woodř classifies the Coral snake as Tortrix scytale, but
Wagler and other naturalists place it under the
genus Elaps.
A classification of the South American genera will find other
varieties belonging to this genus.
No. 3. Tortrix bottoe—Charina botta—(Gray, Blainv.), is a
North American variety.
THIRD GENUS-XENOPELTIDÆ. Günth.
Ventrals distinct; two pair of frontals; five occipitals.
Cantor gives one East India variety of this genus, viz.,
* History of Medicine, &c., vol. i, p. 277.
† Wood's Zoology, vol. iii.
3.

26
OPHIDIANS.
Xenop. unicolor. None are classified under
genera
found in
Australia or in Africa. Whether any varieties exist in South
America is not known.
FOURTH GENUS-UROPELTIDÆ. I. Muller.
“Rough tails.” Tail extremely short, trancated, scarcely tapering;
generally terminating in a rough, naked disk, or covered with carinated
(keeled) scales.
อ
66
66
66
66
66
East India species are:
No. 1. Uropeltis Rhinophis. Hemprich.
2.
R. oxyrhynchus.
3.
R. punctatus.
4.
R. Philippinus.
5.
R. Trevelyanus.
6.
R. sanguineus.
7.
R. Blythii.
8.
R. Pulneyensis.
9.
Grandis. Kelaart. A rare variety.
10.
Plecturus. Dum. and Bibr.
11.
Pl. Perotettii.
12.
Pl. Güntherii.
13.
Mellanophidium. Dum. and Bibr.
14.
Mell. Wynandense. Beddome.
15.
Silybura. Peters.
16.
Syl. macrolepis.
17.
Beddomii.
18.
ocellata.
19.
Elliottii.
20.
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
bicatenata.
21.
Shortii.
22.
ac
brevis.
(
(
(6

CALAMARIDÆ.
27
Africa and Australia furnish no varieties which have as
yet been classified.
In South America there are several varieties.
66
66
4.
66
FIFTH GENUS—CALAMARIDÆ. (Dwarf Snakes.)
Ventral shields distinct; two occipitals, tail tapering.
Six species, comprising twelve varieties.
Several varieties are found in India, and many more in
South America, but the following are such species as have
been already classified, viz.:
No. 1. Calamaridæ Calamarea. 5 varieties.
2.
macrocalamus. 1 variety.
3.
oxycalamus. 1
geophis.
1
5.
aspidura. 3 varieties.
6.
hoplocercus.
1 variety
Dr. Russell describes a variety found in East India, which
is also mentioned by Seba, viz.:
· Abdominal scuta 151, subcaudal squamæ, 93=244. Length 13'', tail
alone 4!!. Called “ Dooblee.” Head a little broader than the neck, ob-
long-ovate, compressed, 10 laminæ; mouth large, no fangs, marginal row
of teeth in upper jaw; eyes large; nostrils small, close; trunk round;
tail very tapering, slender, and terminates in a long sharp point. Scales
on the back ovate, carinate, on the other part smooth; color of head light
brown, trunk freckled with dusky yellow spots; scuta yellowish-white;
most of them with black margins.
Another variety described by Russell is called, in Tranque-
bar, Neer Pamboo; in Calcutta, Dooblee.
Abdominal scuta 146, subcaudal squamæ, 82=228. Length 1/23, tail
3". Color dusky lead, with numerous black dots on back and sides ;
abdomen, and under part of tail white.
A third variety, called in Tranquebar, Neer Pamboo.

28
OPHIDIANS.
Abdominal scuta 143, subcaudal squamäe 83=226. Length 14'', tail
31". Color less dark than preceding, and has spots of dusky yellow inter-
spersed with black dots.
This and the preceding varieties have two spots on the last
pair of lamine on the occiput, which are not seen in the larger
individuals. The details of the Ourdia answer for both these
varieties.
OBSERVATIONS.
Two other individuals were brought to Dr. Russell with
the name Neer Pamboo, but the one was Bokadam and the
other Chittee. The tail in these varieties is exceedingly thin
and fragile, and difficult to preserve entire.
SIXTH GENUS-OLIGODORITIDÆ. Boie.
Body rather rigid, covered with rounded, smooth scales; abdominal
scuta developed; head short, not distinct from neck; maxillary teeth few
in number, the last one enlarged, not grooved; no fangs.
These are small snakes, said by some naturalists to be pe-
culiar to the East Indies, but many varieties are known to
exist in South America.
The genus is composed of two species and twenty-eight
known varieties, viz.:
No. 1. O. Oligodon,
12 varieties,
2. O. Simotes,
16
66
28
Russell describes two individuals as follows, viz.: One
called Shilay Pamboo.
Abdominal squamæ 207, subcaudal squamæ 6=213. Length 9"
(inches).
The other is Anguis maculata, of Linnæus. This, as well
as the preceding, has no fangs.
Abdominal squamæ 194, subcaudal squamäe 6= 200. Length 10".

COLUBRIDÆ.
29
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
SEVENTH GENUS-COLUBRIDÆ.
–.
Is composed of four species and thirty-four varieties, viz.:
the varieties being divided into seventy-seven sub-varieties.
The species are:
1. Coronellina (ground Colubers).
2. Colubrina (true Colubers).
3. Dryadina (bush Colubers).
4. Natricina (fresh-water Colubers).
The first species is composed of the following varieties :
No. 1. Col. Cor. Ablahes.
8 sub-varieties.
2.
Cyclophes.
5
3.
Odontomus.
3 3
4.
Nymphophidium. 1 sub-variety.
5.
Caronella.
1
6.
Coluber.
3 sub-varieties.
7.
gentulus: the Thunder Snake, King Snake,
or Chain Snake, is an aggressive variety,
although it has no fangs. It has been
known to kill and swallow a Rattle-
snake,
quadrivittatus : 1 sub-variety; a North
American variety ; indulges a propen-
sity in stealing chickens from their
roost, and swallowing them.
9.
eximus : 1 sub-variety ; North American
variety is called the Milk or House
Snake.
10.
Æsculapii : 1 sub-variety; of India, Aus-
tralia, and Japan; was represented by
the ancients as twined around the staff
of Æsculapius, and also the Caduceus
of Mercury
66
8.
6

30
OPHIDIANS.
66
No. 11. Col. Cor. canus: 3 sub-varieties; is found in South
Africa,
12.
coronella : 1 sub-variety ; multimaculata;
also found in South Africa.
The Australian species are:
No. 13. Col. cor. cornella Australis: 1 sub-variety.
14.
mycterizans (Linn). 1 sub-variety; called
Passeriki Pam, Pastiletti, by Russell.
66
Abdominal scuta 178, subcaudal squame 166= 344. Length 4' 6'' of
a large specimen, diameter {". Head much broader than the neck, ob-
long, depressed above, rounded on the sides, compressed and contracted
at the eyes. Rostrum long, straight, sharp-pointed, resembling the beak
of a bird, with a small, soft, obtuse, reflex process at the extremity. Oc-
ciput covered with eleven lamina, and suborbicular, imbricate scales;
* teeth slender, reflex, three rows in upper jaw. Eyes lateral, large, promi-
nent; nostrils small; trunk slightly triangular; abdomen flattish; spine
slightly carinated ; scales linear, lanceolate, loosely set on the neck and
front part of the trunk, but the rest closely imbricate; tail long, slender,
and covered with exceedingly minute scales at the point. Color: the
head appears to be covered with green velvet with a streak of yellow on
each cheek; the rest of the body is of a yellowish grass green when quiet,
but when provoked the body swells, and the interstitial white between
the scales comes out, while the yellow assumes a changeable hue. From
the throat to the anus there runs on each side of the body a yellowish-white
fillet, which assumes a darker shade near the anus, and terminates near
the tip of the tail. The scuta and squamæ are of a light yellowish-green.
OBSERVATIONS.
This variety is very common about Vizagapatam and in
the Circars, and is said to abound in the Carnatic. Found
often in the trees, and the natives say it drops down upon
passers-by. Its poison produced no noxious effects in chick-
ens. The C. mycterizans of Linnæus is marked, venomous ;
this is an error pointed out by Dr. Gray.

COLUBRIDÆ.
31
No. 15. Col. cor. stolatus (Linn.). 1 sub-variety. Called
1
Wanna Pam, by Russell.
Abdominal scuta 143, subcaudal squama 70=213. Length 18!!,
diameter ' ; seldom found to exceed this size. Head somewhat broader
than the neck, rather short, obtuse ovate, depressed, covered with nine
laminæ, the large posterior pair oblique, oblong, semi-cordate, with two
or three small laminæ on each side. Mouth large, three rows of teeth in
the upper jaw. Eyes large. Trunk round, invested with oval, thick-set
carinated scales. Color of head and neck a very dark green; cheeks and
throat yellow; on the neck are two blackish bands, from which a yel-
lowish-brown fillet runs on each side along the back and part of the tail.
This fillet is marked, between the fillets on the body, with broader,
transverse, whitish bands, and between the fillets and the abdomen, with
waving, interrupted, longitudinal white lines. The ground color be-
tween these approaches to black. From just above the anus to the tip
of the tail the ground color is black, marked by fillets of a uniform color.
Scuta and subcaudal squamæ are of a dull pearl color, the former having
a black dot on each side.
OBSERVATIONS.
No poison-organs could be found in this variety.
The C. stolatus is marked poisonous by Linnæus, but, as
Dr. Gray observes, this is an error. Two specimens from
Ganjam were called
Neerogady: scuta 146, subcaudal squamæ 77 = 223; and Neergady:
scuta 147, subcaudal squamæ 71=218.
No. 16. Col. cor. lineatus (Linn.). 1 sub-variety. Called
Jeri Potoo, by Russell.
=
Abdominal scuta 176, subcaudal squamæ 88=264. Called Condona-
rouse in Ganjam, and much feared. Length 2/ 4}', diameter ". Head
broader than neck, oblong, ovate, depressed above, compressed toward
the rostrum, covered with nine laminæ. Mouth medium size; lower jaw
projects beyond the upper; three rows of teeth in the upper jaw, two
front teeth unusually long Eyes large, lateral, oval.
.
Nostrils small.
Trunk round, diminishing regularly from centre towards the neck and

32
OPHIDIANS.
to the tail, covered with oblong, oval, smooth scales. Color of head
light brown, a yellow streak behind each eye. Trunk and tail are
striped with seven longitudinal fillets, of which the centre and the two
outside ones are of a darker brown, of a greenish cast, and broader than
the others; one on each side of the centre brown fillet is almost black,
and the adjacent one on each side is of a greenish yellow. The scuta
and one-half the squame nearest the anus are of a straw color; a small
darkish-green thread runs along the sides of the scuta and squame to
near the end of the tail.
No. 17. Col. cor. mucosus (Linn.). 1 sub-variety, called
(Russell) Jeri Potoo in Vizagapatam.
Abdominal scuta 199, subcaudal squamæ 121= 320.
320. Length 5/4",
diameter 11". Head proportionately small and narrow, acute ovate,
depressed, but compressed toward the rostrum ; nine principal laminæ,
but the sides of the occiput are covered with several smaller ones. Upper
jaw slightly divided, has three rows of teeth. Eyes lateral, large, prom-
inent. Nostrils small, gaping. Trunk: the neck is covered with small
oval, smooth, imbricate scales; back carinated ; sides compressed ; scales
subrhomboidal, but four rows on the upper part of the back are either
carinated or striated ; tail small, taper, sharp-pointed, nineteen inches
long. Color of cheeks and sides of throat a pale flesh or whitish, streaked
transversely with black lines. The jugular scuta are yellowish white,
each having a blackish spot on each side. Head, neck, and part of the
trunk are a dull yellowish olive color, while the remainder of the trunk
and tail has the color somewhat lighter, and is variegated by transverse
black lines and spots joined together, and which become blacker as they
approach the tail. Half the abdominal scuta are of a dull white, strewed
with dusky spots, but the lower edge of each scale is purplish black, and
all the scales on the tail have black edges. Subcaudal squamæ are green-
ish yellow with black edges.
a
OBSERVATIONS.
Bites of this variety in chickens showed no bad results.
No. 18. Col. cor. nasutus. 1 sub-variety (Shaw). Aspides,
(Seba).
Length 4' 11"'; length of tail 1' 81'.
No. 19. Col. cor. Austriaca; has been found in England.
20. Col. cor.cana. Schwartze Schlange, or Black Snake,

COLUBRIDÆ.
33
66
(6
66
66
6
66
occurs in Africa, and also in the United States of North
America.
The second species, Colubrina, is composed of 6 varieties,
made up of 16 sub-varieties, as follows, viz. :
No. 1. Col. C. Elaphis. 3 sub-varieties.
2. Compsosoma. 4
3. Cynophis. 2
4. Ptyas.
2
5.
Henelaphis. 1 sub-variety.
6.
Zamenis. 4 sub-varieties.
The greater part of these are found in India ; many others
occur in South America; but, as yet, none of them are clas-
sified.
The third species, Dryadina, is composed of 4 varieties,
made
up of 7 sub-varieties, as follows, viz. :
No. 1. Col. Dryadina zaocys.
4 sub-varieties.
2.
herpatoreas. 1 sub-variety.
guttatus. 1 sub-variety, or Corn
Snake; abounds in North America,
and is from 5 to 6 feet long.
4.
arboreum virides. 1 sub-variety ; is
the North American Green Snake.
The fourth species, Natricina, is composed of 4 varieties,
made
up of 17 sub-varieties, as follows, viz. :
No. 1. Col. natricinus tropidonotus. 13 sub-varieties.
2.
atretium. 2
Chittee R.
3.
xenochrophis. 1 sub-variety.
4.
prymnomiodon. 1
5. Col. natr. atretium, has a sub-variety, called Chittee
in India, described as follows, viz. :
Abdominal scuta 154, subcaudal squamæ 67= 221. Length 1' 7''; tail
3.
66
66
(6
66

34
OPHIDIANS.
33!! ; head oblong-oval, compressed on the sides, a little broader than the
neck, obtuse, flat on the crown; ten laminæ, with a singular triangular-
shaped lamina between the nostrils; mouth of middle size, three rows of
teeth in upper jaw; no fangs; eyes large; nostrils small, close; trunk
round; tail tapers rapidly, and terminates in a sharp point; scales
smooth, ovate, small; color, crown and upper part of body a bluish
clay ; body variegated with dusky spots; belly a tawny buff.
No. 6. The Col. natr. trop. picturatus is a sub-variety,
found in Australia.
No. 7. Col. natr. trop. natrix, is the Grass or Ring Snake,
common in England.
EIGHTH GENUS-HOMALOPSIDÆ.
66
Fresh-water snakes; composed of 13 species, made up
of
19 varieties.
The distinguishing mark for this genus is that the openings
of the nostrils are on the top of the snout. Günther gives
8 species, as follows, viz. :
No. 1. Homalopsis (Tatta Pam). 1 sub-variety.
2. H. fordonia.
1
3. H. cantoria.
1
4. H. cerberus (Karoo Bokadam). 1
5. H. hypsirhina (H. hyps. aer.). 5 sub-varieties.
6. H. ferania.
1 sub-variety.
7. H. hipistes.
1
8. H. herpeton (H. tentaculus). 1
Russell describes an East India variety, called Tatta Pam
in Vizagapatam, and Ang. Scytalæ (Linn.), as follows, viz.:
Length, 1931, tail 2' long; is flat and eel-shaped, like that of the Nalla
Wahlogillee Pam. Head, hardly broader than the neck, small, roundish,
obtuse ; 12 laminæ ; mouth narrow; three rows of teeth in upper jaw ; eyes
lateral; nostrils vertical, gaping; trunk, neck round and smooth ; scales
small, ovate, imbricate; back carinated ; sides sloping, belly roundish,

HOMALOPSIDÆ.
35
scales orbicular, close, not imbricated on trunk, tail, and belly; thickest
part of the body at and near the anus, and tail double the thickness of the
neck; color, head black, trunk and tail black, but on the sides are 58
yellowish-white conical spots, with points toward the ridge of the back,
some of which, on the neck and near the tail, join their points together;
tip of tail not spotted.
OBSERVATIONS.
This specimen was found on the sea-beach in Vizagapatam;
but, being put into salt water, with an idea to preserve it,
at the expiration of a few minutes it died.
Species No. 4 has a variety found in the East Indies,
called Karoo Bakadam in Ganjam, and described by Russell,
as follows, viz. :
Length, 31 to 4 ft.; diam. of neck 31!!, and body 41", in its thickest
part; tail 8!! long, has an obtuse point. Head slightly broader than
neck, but small proportionately, slightly convex above, compressed at
the sides, projecting into a short, subtruncate snout; eyes placed higher
up than the other varieties, protuberant, and each one forms the centre
of a remarkable ring, formed by triangular laminæ. The snout is
covered with several small laminæ, but the remaining part of the head
is covered with suborbicular, carinated scales. Three rows of teeth in
the upper jaw; no fangs; trunk thick, round, covered with large, cari-
nated, broad, oval, imbricated, scales. Color of the head, back of the
lamina, almost black, trunk, tail, and snout, a dark gray; throat, belly,
and under part of the tail, are a dusky yellow.
Another East India variety is Velar Sawa (H. hyps. aer.);
it is said to attain a length of 30 feet.
Herp. tentaculatus, another East India variety, has two
tentacula-like projections on the snout, which are two or
three inches in length.
Herp. nasutus (nobis), Langaha nasuta (Wood), is a Mada-
gascar variety, said to have a singular long snout, like a
proboscis.
No. 9. H. chersydrus granulatus (Wood), is found in Africa.

36
OPHIDIANS.
No. 10. H. herp. crista galli (the Cockscomb Langaha),
a Madagascar variety, bears an appendage on its head like
a cock's comb.
No. 11. The H. eunectes marina (Wood), is a Brazilian
variety, called Traga-venado, or deer-swallower, or anaconda.
This should be called H. eunectes python. It is found in
great abundance in the pampas of the great valleys of South
America. The Boa Constrictor of Brazil, called Boiguaeu,
differs little, if at all, from the preceding.
Krefft gives, No. 12, H. cerberus australis, and No. 13,
H. myron Richardsonii, as the Australian varieties. South
American varieties are exceedingly numerous, but not clas-
sified.
NINTH GENUSPSAMMOPHIDÆ. Boie.
Desert Snakes, peculiar to the great deserts, and dry arid
places.
Body elongate or stout; pupil round or vertical; loreal region con-
cave; one of the four anterior maxillary teeth is enlarged, the last tooth
grooved.
First Species—Ps. condonarus, Russell; for description see
Col. cor. lineatus, page 31.
Second Species—Ps. pulverulentus, Günther.
Third Species — Ps. psammophylax rhombeatus (Schaap-
sticker) is a New Holland variety. No varieties have been
classified as yet under Australian species.
TENTH GENUS-DENDROPHIDÆ.
Tree Snakes.
Body and tail much compressed, or very slender; head elongate, snout
obtuse or rounded, pupil round; no fanglike tooth in front.

DENDROPHIDÆ.
37
The following species occur in India, viz. :
No. 1. D. gonyosoma, Wagl.
2. D. phyllophis, Günther.
3. D. dendrophis.
4. D. crysopelea.
South Africa furnishes three species, viz.:
No. 5. D. semivariegata. 2 varieties.
6. D. natalensis. 1 variety.
7. D. albovariegata.
1
4 varieties.
Australia furnishes two species, viz.:
No. 8. D. punctulata, 1 variety (Green Tree Snake).
9. D. calligastra, 1 variety (Northern Tree Snake).
10. D. multimaculatus (nobis), is an East India
species, known as Goobra in Hyderabad.
Length 3' 2'', diameter }', length of tail one foot, very slender, and
terminates in a sharp point. Head broader than the neck, long, ovate,
depressed, and covered with nine laminæ; occiput is covered with small
orbicular scales; mouth large; three rows of teeth in the upper jaw; no
fangs; eyes large, oval; nostrils large, open ; trunk covered with small,
linear, oval scales; middle of back somewhat depressed, its scales are
obovate; two rows of oval scales on the sides of the scuta; color of head
and trunk a dark sepia brown, but a shade of lighter color runs along
the ridge of the spine; towards the scuta the abdominal oval scales are
whitish, spotted with black, up to the middle of trunk, thence to the end
of the tail they are of the same cineritious color as the scuta; some of
the dark-brown scales on the sides are tipped with black above, and with
a beautiful azure blue below.
OBSERVATIONS.
This variety is said to grow much larger, and to be found
mostly on trees; not known to be poisonous.

38
OPHIDIANS.
ELEVENTH GENUS-DRYIOPHIDÆ.
Whip Snakes.
Body generally exceedingly slender; head very long, with tapering
snout; pupil linear, horizontal; last maxillary tooth grooved.
East India varieties are as follows, viz.:
No. 1. Dry. tropidococcyx. 1 variety.
2. Dry. tragops.
3 varieties.
3. Dry. passerita. 2
4. Is a South American variety, called Culebra Be-
juco; a very great number of these snakes are
found on the plains of Casanáre and San Mar-
tin.
5. Dry. acuminata, Golden Tree Snake, is a Mexi-
can variety.
6. Dry. herpetodryas flagelliformis (nobis), Coach-
whip Snake, is a harmless North American
species.
7. Dry. philodryas viridissimus, Emerald Whip
Snake, is from Brazil, a harmless variety, and
of a beautiful color.
*Making in all 7 species, composed of 10 varieties.
TWELFTH GENUS-DIPSADIDÆ.
Nocturnal Tree Snakes; with a vertical pupil; body and base of tail
much compressed, head subtriangular, broad behind, very distinct from
neck, with short snout; loreal region flat.
East India species are:
No. 1. Dips. cynodon. 1 variety
2. forsteni.
1
3. boops.
1
4. dendrophila. 1
5. bubalina.
1
66
o tra
66
66

AMBLYCEPHALID Æ.
39
7.
66
66
6
No. 6. Dips. multimaculata. 1 variety.
trigonata. 1
8. multifasciata. 1
9. gookool.
1
10.
ceylonensis. 1
11. eudipsas cynodon, is an Asiatic species.
12. inornatus, is an African species.
Australia furnishes one species, viz. :
13. Dips. fusca, Brown Tree Snake.
Making in all 13 species, composed of 13 varieties.
Many species are known to exist in South America.
THIRTEENTH GENUS-LYCODONTIDÆ.
Ground Snakes, of which few species are as yet classified.
Maxillary teeth, with a fanglike tooth in front, but without elongate
posterior teeth.
East India species are, viz.:
No. 1. L. lycodon. 5 varieties.
2. L. tetragonosma. 2
3. L. leptorhytaon. 1 variety.
4. L. ophites.
2 varieties.
5. L. cercaspis. 11
South Africa furnishes three varieties :
No. 6. L. capensis. 1 variety.
7. L. geometricus. 1 1
8. L. guttatus.
1
Making in all 8 species, composed of 24 varieties. Varie-
ties existing in South America are almost innumerable.
66
66
FOURTEENTH GENUS—AMBLYCEPHALID Æ.
Blunt Heads.
Body flexible; ventral shields developed ; head thick, very distinct from
neck; no mental groove; maxillary teeth very small, few in number.

40
OPHIDIANS.
East India species are as follows, viz.:
No. 1. A. amblycephalus, 1 variety.
3 varieties.
2. A. pareas,
4
Making 2 species, composed of 4 varieties; none other
than these have as yet been classified.
FIFTEENTH GENUS-PYTHONIDÆ.
Rock Snakes.
Body cylindrical, flexible; interior maxillary teeth unequal in length;
none of the hinder teeth enlarged ; rudiments of hind limbs present;
tail prehensile.
Several species occur in East India, viz.:
No. 1. P. Python (Daud). 2 varieties.
2. P. Natalensis (Port Natal Rock Snake) is said to at-
tain a length of twenty-five feet. This is an Afri-
can species.
3. P. aboma (nobis). Aboma, or Ringed Boa of Mexico,
was formerly worshipped by the natives on account
of its destructive powers.
.
4. P. morelia spilotes (Diamond Snake) is a handsome
variety.
P. morelia variegata (Carpet Snake) is closely allied to
the preceding. These are varieties found in Aus-
tralia.
5. P. molurus (Common Rock Snake) has a spur on either
side of the anus. This is an East Indian variety.
6. P. aspidiotes melanocephalus (Black-headed Snake).
7. P. liosis childrenii (Children's Rock Snake).
P. liasis olivacea (Olive-green Rock Snake).

PYTHONIDÆ.
41
No. 8. P. nardoa Gilbertii (Gilbert's Rock Snake). These are
varieties found in Australia.
9. P. lazuli (nobis), called Pedda Poda.
ones.
Abdominal scuta 252, subcaudal squamæ 62= 314. Length 2 9!!,
diameter 11". Tail round, tapers regularly, ending in a sharp point,
length a little more than four inches. Head long, broader than the
neck, hastate, obtuse, depressed, covered with twelve principal laminæ,
besides several smaller, disposed in a star shape around the posterior
The ventral lamina between the eyes is divided throughout the
middle,-a very unusual occurrence. Occiput is covered with very small
smooth orbicular scales. Mouth wide, periphery rather thick, and cov-
ered with oblong transverse scales; three rows of teeth in upper jaw.
Eyes lateral, small. Trunk round, closely set with minute, smooth,
round imbricate scales. Three rows of scales next to the scuta larger
than the others, oval, acuminate. Color: upper part of the head flesh
color; rostrum ashes color; a little streak of flesh color runs obliquely
along on each side of the neck, and a short, narrow, wedge-shaped stripe,
of the same color, divides a large brown mark on the occiput. Trunk
and tail ashes color, variegated with about thirty large, broad brown
macula, edged with black, of different forms and size. Sides spotted
with similar smaller maculæ, most of which are whitish in the middle.
Scuta remarkably small and narrow, whitish, with reddish margin
around posterior edge of anus. Squamæ small. Upper part of tail sin-
gularly variegated in white and black, the latter color in long broadish
streaks.
OBSERVATIONS.
Experiments made on fowls did not result fatally in any
case, although this variety has a very formidable look.
No. 10. P. bimaculata (nobis), called likewise Pedda
Poda.
A bdominal scuta 252, subcaudal squama 64 316. Length 7' 21'',
diameter 23". Tail short, round, tapers to a sharp point. Head slightly
broader than neck; oblong rostrum; rounded, depressed above, sub-com-
pressed toward the rostrum ; eleven principal laminæ are contiguous,
but these are surrounded with numerous small ones; occiput covered
with smooth ovate scales. Mouth large; three rows of teeth in upper
4

42
OPHIDIANS.
a
-
jaw. Eyes not lateral, prominent. Nostrils small. Trunk round; scales
small, smooth, ovate imbricate; two or three rows next to the scuta are
larger; scuta and squamæ are acuminated and exceedingly small. Color
of head dark ashes, with a dark-brown oblique macula behind each ear;
neck, trunk, and tail variegated with large dark spots with irregular
forms, edged with black on a light-brown ground; spots on tail are
somewhat lighter in color than those on the trunk; scuta and squame of
a dusky yellow.
OBSERVATIONS.
This specimen came from Ganjam.
No. 11. P. albo-maculata (nobis), called Pedda Poda.
Abdominal scuta 256, subcaudal squamæ 69=325. Length 6', diame-
ter 2. Head a little broader than the neck, depressed above, oblong;
forward of the eyes contracted, compressed, subtruncate; crown and
front part covered with many laminæ, but occiput is covered with
smooth ovate scales. Mouth very wide; three rows of teeth in upper
jaw. Eyes medium size, lateral, protuberant. Nostrils small, gaping.
Trunk covered with smooth ovate imbricate scales, except two rows on
the belly, which are orbicular; scuta are oblong, narrow, acuminate at
each end; subcaudal squamæ are oval, but pointed Above the anus and
on a line with the penultimate scuta, there is on each side a small curved
horn or spur, turned outwards. Color universally whitish, variegated
with long, brown, irregular-shaped spots, edged with black. There is a
long diagonal dark streak behind each eye, and the first dark spot on the
occiput is divided, half way down its middle, with a whitish streak. The
squamæ and some spots on the under side of the tail are of a dusky slate
color.
OBSERVATIONS.
The last three varieties (Nos. 9, 10, and 11), belong to
what the natives in Ganjam call Rock snakes, and are not
considered venomous. Specimens of No. 11 have been seen
10' long; this variety is (identical with the Bora of Bengal),
called Dussery Pamboo, which has claws identical with this
one,
and the snake men affirm it is necessary at times to clip
them.
No. 12. P. bora (nobis) (Bora) is described by Dr. Russell,
as follows, viz. :

ERYCIDÆ.
43
Abdominal scuta 265, subcaudal squamæ 36, subcaudal scuta 28, sub-
caudal squamæ 3 = 67 = 332. Length 4' 10""; diameter nearly 2!!;
' '
tail round, short, 7}" long, pointed. Head a little broader than the
neck, compressed, very obtuse; occiput covered with small ovate scales,
ten lamina; mouth wide, jaws of equal length; three rows of teeth in
the upper jaw, those in lower jaw very long and large; eyes large,
lateral; nostrils close together; trunk round, covered with small, smooth,
ovate scales, closely imbricate; on each side of the scuta are two rows
of larger ones; scuta remarkably short; on each side of the anus is a
horny spur, about of an inch long (like the Pedda Poda, No.11). The
scuta at the end of the tail are singular. Color : brown predominates ;
all along the back are large, roundish spots, light brown in the centre,
edges yellowish brown; sides are variegated by brown spots on a whitish
ground, which brightens near the belly; scuta pearl white.
OBSERVATIONS.
It is pretended that the bite of the Bora does not prove
mortal till after 10 or 12 days, but that eruptions in different
parts of the body soon follow the introduction of the poison
into the blood. Nothing in the snake seems to warrant a
belief that it is poisonous.
Innumerable varieties and species of this genus abound in
South America, some individuals attaining to an enormous
size. One was killed on the head waters of the River Amazon
30 feet in length, and more than 3 feet in diameter; and an
English nobleman saw one, just after it was killed, on the
island of Manilla, which measured over 31 feet long, and
more than 39 inches in diameter.
The number of species, at present classified, is 13, com-
posed of 16 varieties.
SIXTEENTH GENUS-ERYCIDÆ.
Sand Snakes. Tail very short, not prehensile. East Indian
species are:
1 variety.
2. E. gongylophis. 1
3. E. cursoria. 1
No. 1. E. eryx.
6
66

44
OPHIDIANS.
Several species, not yet classified, occur in South America,
and also in Mexico.
SEVENTEENTH GENUS-ACROCHORDID Æ.
Wart Snakes. Some species are not venomous, and others
are known to be exceedingly so. East India species are, viz.:
No. 1. Acrochordon xenodermis. 1 variety.
2. Acro. javanicus, 8 ft. long. 1
3. Acro. chersydrus.
1
One of the preceding varieties, called Oular carron, is
often eaten by the natives in India, and its flesh esteemed
“ (Java).
very delicious.
No. 4. Acro chocoe (nobis), Verrugosa, is a species in great
abundance in the forests of the River Atrato, in the United
States of Colombia. Its poison is known to be very deadly.
According to Du Chaillu, it is also found in Africa. Its
generic description is : body covered with small, wart-like,
non-imbricate, scales; tail prehensile; length from 3' to 7';
diam. {"' to 3''; dorsum covered with irregular, wart-like
projections from head to tail, without scales ; color variegated,
brown, dark-colored, and cream-colored spots, some of the
dark ones approaching to a greenish hue. Immediately after
the death of the snake, a thick, milk-like liquid exudes from
these warts, which, if applied to the skin of man or beast,
produces a wellnigh incurable ulcer. It has large fangs,
and its buccal parts are precisely similar to those of the Cro-
talus horridus. This serpent is the most feared by the
natives of all those found in the Chocó region ; the “Curers"
say that its bite produces death, frequently in from 2 to 3
hours; and that the first symptoms which the poison develops
are, lethargy, trembling of the muscles in the whole body, a
flow of blood from the pores of the skin, eyes bloodshot, and
a

OPHIDIA VENENOSI.
45
loosening of the hair, followed by a distortion of the features.
What effects the poison does actually produce can only be
determined by experiment. Some of its effects, in čases of
bites, are the following : Soon after the introduction of the
poison into the blood, the skin of the surface of the bitten
limb is thickly covered with small vesicles, filled with an
ichorous liquid; when these have attained the size of a grain
of barley they burst, leaving a small sore, which soon increases
,
in size, preserving its funnel shape; these continue sloughing
away, until they unite one with another, and thus destroy
all the fleshy substance down to the bone. This is accom-
panied with intense throbbing pains up the limb. In cases
where the poison does not cause death, on account of its
deadly principle not being fully developed, it almost in-
variably produces these funnel-shaped ulcers. The Indians
cure the bite of this serpent with a tincture of a plant called
cock-flower (flor de gallo), of the nature and virtues of which
particular mention is made in another place. How specific
this is, however, is not positively known.
OPHIDIA VENENOSI.
The Ophidia Venenosi comprise the following genera :
No. 18. Elapidæ.
19. Hydrophidæ.
20. Crotalidæ.
21. Viperida.
Generic distinctions
are,
viz.:
The existence of fangs or teeth, with their accompanying
secretory apparatus and receptacle for the poison.

46
OPHIDIANS.
The number and arrangement of the non-imbricated shields
of the head are as follows:
Rostral.
Ocular anterior (or preorbital).
Anterior frontal. Ocular posterior (or postorbital).
Posterior.
Upper labials.
Vertical.
Temporals.
Supraciliary.
Mental.
Occipital.
Lower labials.
Nasals.
Chin shields.
Loreal.
The heart has three cavities, one ventricle, and two auri-
cles; the urinary bladder is wanting. They are all carniv-
orous and swallow their prey entire; are oviparous, ovo-vivi-
parous, or viviparous, and hæmatocrya or cold blooded. Their
blood is rich in solid constituents, and has red corpuscles of
an elliptical shape, flattened, biconvex, and smaller than in
other reptilia. Of the 21 genera already classified, 4 only
have been considered poisonous; but in South America
varieties occur under the genera Calamiris, Homalopsis, and
Acrochordus, which are known beyond a doubt to be poison-
ous; and some species, which must be classified under the
genera Python and Typhlope, found in India, are also ven-
a
omous.
This divides the 21 genera into
Non-venomous,
12
genera.
Venomous,
9 genera.
The most deadly of these, viz., Ophiophagus elaps and Naja
tripudians belong exclusively to India, whilst the Viperidæ
are represented by the Daboia Russellii, and the Crotalidæ by
the Trimeresuri. The latter genus is less venomous than the
Crot. horridus of North America; the Crot. cascabellus; the

OPHIDIA VENENOSI.
47
Crot. fasciatus, or the Craspedocephalus Brasiliensis, called in
Brazil, Jararacea; but there are Viperidæ in South America,
e. g., Vip. pseudechis carinata, Vip. calamaris venenosi, as
well as the Trigonocephalo lachesis, the Echis variegata, and
Acrochordon chocoe, whose poisons are little less venomous
than that of the Naja tripudians. Some varieties of Ophidians
have fangs, though not venomous; and others, although ven-
omous, possess none.
In cases of bites, the pterygoid, maxillary or palatine teeth
seldom or never leave their marks upon the skin, and some-
times it is very difficult to distinguish even the small in-
cisions made by the fangs. When these wounds are distinct
they show oftentimes indications of three fang-wounds on one
side, and three or two on the other, all close together; but in
these casual cases the forward fang alone is in communication
with the poison-bladder.
In all cases where more than one fang occurs on either side
this is invariably the result of casualty. Snakes often have
their fangs loosened or broken off. In the former case a
spare fang comes forward and attaches itself to the base of the
bone to which the loosened fang was fixed. Twenty-four
hours suffices for it to solder itself firmly to its base; and the
loosened fang becoming resoldered at the broken part leaves
thus two fangs on the one side, while on the other side only
one fang is found.
Where the two fangs are, only the forward one is in com-
munication with the poison-bladder; and thus it happens that
individuals are found which have as many as four fangs on
one side, and only two or three on the other, but this un-
natural condition is the result of casualty, as explained above.
The usual number of spare fangs found in the fang-sac is
seven on each side, when the snake is fully grown, and has as
yet lost no fang by accident.
by accident. All snakes with fangs have

48
OPHIDIANS.
the arrangement of their buccal parts identical with those of
the Crotalus horridus.
Those not provided with fangs have the same parts iden-
tical with those of the Elaps corallinus.
Large snakes, the Pythonidæ for example, have very large
and long fanglike teeth, in proportion to their size, but only
the venomous varieties have the poison-bladder, or the appa-
ratus for injecting it. Some naturalists have given drawings
showing the shapes of the fangs and their attachments, in
which the base of the fang is turned backwards. Of more
than one thousand specimens examined carefully, and with
scrutiny, in South America, I never have found a venomous
snake whose fangs had the above shape; they are invariably
attached on the line of curvature of the fang, and their base
never curves backwards.
EIGHTEENTH GENUS-ELAPID Æ.
Divided into two species, viz.:*
No. 1. Hajidæ, snakes with hoods; and
2. H. elaps, snakes without hoods.
1. Haja, the smaller variety.
Hajidæ. 2. Ophiophagus, is the largest poisonous
snake known.
66
First Species-HAJA. (Colra di Capello.)
Coluber Haja, Linn.
Haja larvata, Cantor.
Haja lutescens, Cantor.
Haja atra,
Haja tripudians, Günther ; Gray. Haja Kaouthiah,
In Bengal, Cobras with the spectacle-mark are called Go-
* Thanatophidia.

EL APIDA.
49
kurrahs; those without it, but with another mark, or ocellus,
on the hood, are called Keautiahs.
No. 1. Kala, or black. No. 6. Tentuliah, tamarind-
2. Koyah, or black and
seed-colored.
white.
7. Kurrees, earth-colored.
3. Gomunah, or wheat- 8. Tameshur, copper-col-
colored.
ored.
4. Puddah,yellow-colored. 9. Puddun-nag, golden-
5. Dudiah, whitish-col-
colored.
ored.
The most common varieties about Calcutta are the 2d, 3d,
and 7th. Of the Keautiahs there are also 9 varieties, viz.:
No. 10. Kala.
No. 16. Giribungha, brown-
11. Tentuliah.
ish-colored.
12. Kurrees.
17. Koyal.
13. Sonera, golden-colored. 18. Sankha Mookhi, black
14. Dudiah.
and yellow.
15. Bans Buniah, white or
black mottled.
Nos. 10, 11, and 15 are most common in the vicinity of
Calcutta. In Hindostan the Cobra is called Kála Sámp, Nág
Sámp in Vizagapatam, and Bengal, Nagoo.
Russell describes the following varieties, viz.:
No. 19, called Chinta Nagoo, Coluber Naja, Linn.
Length 4 ft.; diameter more than 1"'. Head hardly broader than the
neck, short, broad ovate, obtuse; crown depressed from the eyes, con-
tracted, compressed and declining toward the rostrum ; laminæ ten;
scales on the occiput small, orbicular, and oval; mouth large; lower jaw
has few teeth, upper jaw two rows; two fungs; eyes small, prominent;
nostrils close together, gaping.
When the reptile is at rest the neck is little wider or thicker
than the head, but when provoked the loose skin is extended
5

50
OPHIDIANS.
a
in a peculiar manner so as to form what is called a hood;
this fact gives the name to the species, Cobra di Capello, mean-
ing “a monk's cowl or hood.” The peculiar spectacle-shaped
mark on the back of the hood is partly formed by the color
of the interstitial skin, but the color of the scales also con-
tributes to give it this shape. Trunk round, scales rather
small, oval, polished, contiguous, and hardly imbricate except
on the hinder part of the tail, but a row on each side of the
belly are larger, ovate, and imbricate; tail tapers gradually
to a sharp, horny point. Color yellowish light brown; inter-
stitial skin white, and the edges of some of the scales white.
In certain positions the scales reflect a faint bluish-ash color;
abdominal scuta are very long, but the subcaudal squamæ are
hexagonal; both are of dull white, and freckled with dusky
spots. The colors of the spectacle-mark are bright, but the
orange
tint of the interstitial skin is not so distinct as in some
other varieties,
No. 20. Arege Nagoo. (Arege means small grains that
the horses eat.)
Abdoninal scuta 189, subcaudal squamæ 60=249.
The spectacle-mark has a brown spot in its centres, and five
of the cervical squamæ are notably darker than the rest.
There are also two dark-brown spots, one on either side of the
cervix, which forms when extended the inside of the hood.
No. 21. Coodum Nagoo. (Coodum signifies wheat.)
Abdominal scuta 187, subcaudal squamæ 57=244.
This variety is rather darker than the others, and the orange
color more inclined to yellow. The principal and distinguish-
ing mark being an oblong curved loop instead of the spectacle-
mark, the skin in the centre of the loop being white.
No. 22. Sankoo Nagoo. (Sankoo is the name of a shell used
for glazing paper.)
-

ELAPIDÆ.
51
-
Abdominal scuta 183, subcaudal squamæ 56=239.
This variety is rare, and is distinguished by a plain hood
without
any mark. This was thought by Seba to be a male,
but both male and female of different varieties are found
marked alike.
No. 23. Mogla Nagoo.
Abdominal scuta 192, subcaudal squama 65 = 257.
This variety has received its name on account of frequent-
ing the Caldiero hedges. The cervical scuta are spotted
here and there with faint grayish spots, and the post-oculars
are of a bluish-gray color.
No. 24. Malle Nagbo. (Malle is the Arabian name for jas-
mine.)
Abdominal scuta 191, subcaudal squamäe 62=253.
Color lighter brown than the preceding variety ; scuta
whiter and less spotted, but seven of the cervical scuta are
entirely dark.
No. 25. Camboo Nagoo.
Abdominal scuta 186, subcaudal squamæ 60=246.
Some deviations observed in the shape of the lamine; cer-
vical scuta dark; trunk has a strong bluish cast.
No. 26. Jonna Nagoo. (Jonna is a small grain used as food
for horses.)
Abdominal scuta 189, subcaudal squamæ, 57=246.
An
orange color prevails in the skin of the hood; scuta of
the neck are spotted with gray, six of the lower ones being
wholly of a bluish-gray.
No. 27. Nella Tas Pam.
Abdominal scuta 186, subcaudal squamæ 62=248.
The black color on the hood is of an unusually deep shade,
a

52
OPHIDIANS.
and all the jugular scuta are of an unusually dark color,
hence its name.
No. 28. Kistna Nagoo.
Abdominal scuta 186, subcaudal squamæ 63=249.
Of the three laminæ between the eyes the middle one is
very broad, and the posterior pair (occipitals) are subovate.
Five of the jugular scuta are dusky, and six of the cervical
scuta are almost black.
No. 29. Korie Nagoo.
Abdominal scuta 184, subcaudal squamæ 57 = 241.
Supraciliaries remarkably narrow; the large occipitals oval;
color of the trunk, more especially of the scuta, unusually
bluish.
When the Cobra prepares itself for an attack it makes a
full inhalation, by which, the whole body being inflated, the
scales are separated from each other; when it exhales, the
shrinkage of the body brings the scales together again, ex-
cepting upon the hood which remains permanently expanded.
When erect and in readiness to strike, the head is at right
angles to that part of the body below the hood, which in no
way, however, protects or shields the former. The hood when
expanded is convex on its posterior and concave on its anterior
surface. This shape is retained with ease by the reptile, owing
to the peculiar shape and arrangement of the vertebræ in this
part of the spinal column, whose forked ends are interwoven
in such a way as to give to the hood its concavo-convex form.
The Cobra seems to be the favorite species exhibited by the
snakemen as a dancer. The showman, seated on the ground
,
like a tailor on his bench, begins sounding his reed pipe, and
at the same time takes the cover off the round, flat basket in
which the snake is carried. If it is slow to come out, a tap
on the head from the showman hastens its movements, other-

ELAPIDÆ.
53
wise it is unceremoniously emptied out of the basket. The
piper commences a slow movement of the body from one side
to the other, which the snake soon imitates, with its eyes
fixed intently upon his right hand, which is shielded by the
basket, and now and then pushed forward to provoke the
Cobra to bite.
The movements of the reptile are graceful and amusing ;
but this exercise soon tires it, and a fresh one is at hand, in
another basket, to take its place. These snakemen are always
provided with their antidotes against bites; but when they
allow themselves to be bitten, it is always by a snake whose
fangs have been extracted, although bystanders are not sup-
posed to be aware of this fact. In a wild state, music has
little if any influence on the snake, it being trained, by a long
and severe schooling, * for its subsequent exhibitions.
Several varieties of Cobra are known on the coast of Coro-
mandel under different names. The species was supposed to
exist in South America, † but it appears that it is found ex-
clusively in India and Africa.
The Spectacle or Hood snake of North America has the
skin about the neck loose, so that the head is completely en-
veloped by the fold of the skin when the former is drawn
back. In this position the back of the hood shows a distinct
“spectacle-mark." This variety is not venomous.
The following variety of Cobra occurs at Maunbhoom,
India, called Airá Gahman (No. 30): Average length 4' 31'';
top of head purple brown, shading into a bright orange color
on the lower half of hood; on the back are two faint shades
of vinaceous brown, in stripes ; spectacle-mark of a dark
* Kempfer, Amenitates Exoticæ, p. 569.
† Gronovius, Zoophylacium, vol. i, p. 20.

54
OPHIDIANS.
;
brown, with white periphery; throat and underneath the
spectacle-mark ashy brown; belly of a pinkish-white color.
Other varieties are as follows, viz.:
No. 31. Manilag. Average length 361". Not a common
variety. Very slender neck and broad jaw; top of head
light brown, shading into yellow in the hood and back ; belly
yellowish-white.
No. 32. Bichá Jarmá Gahman. Average length 3' 11".
Head ruddy brown; hood reddish-brown; spectacle-mark
yellow, with reddish-brown periphery.
No. 33. Kaléy. Average length 4' 3''. Whole body black;
has a ring on its hood; two bands on the throat and an entire
collar below the hood vary in color in different individuals,
from a creamy white to a dirty gray.
No. 34. Káuta Káris Gahman. Average length 4'. A
very slim variety. Head vinaceous brown; yellow tinge in
hood; spectacle-mark red; throat a purplish-brown.
No. 35. Dudhiya Gahman. Average length 44". Top of
head vinaceous brown, darker on the hood and lighter along
the back; below, ashy white; spectacle-mark white, with a
dark-brown well-defined periphery.
No: 36. Parula. A beautiful snake. Average length 3' 5''.
Head a light shade of purplish-brown; no spectacle-mark ;
hood a bright red.
No. 37. Sarsa Gahman. Common yellow Cobra ; most
abundant.
No. 38. Charara Gahman. A large yellow Cobra, but with
very distinguishing marks, distinct from the preceding va-
riety.
No. 39. Basta Karicha Gahman. Average length 4' 2".
A very dark vinaceous brown; spectacle-mark white, bor-
dered with light red.
The natives in India consider the Gokurrah, a snake which
a
a

NAJA OPHIOPHAGUS.
55
frequents towns and cities, and the Keautiah, a snake of the
fields or jungle, that the poison of the latter is thinner, and
therefore kills quicker, and that of the former thicker, and
though slower to take effect, none the less deadly. Both
kinds incubate; as the snakemen affirm to digging them out of
holes frequently, in which they are found covering their eggs.
Smith gives the following varieties of this genus occurring
in South Africa, viz.:
No. 40. Naja haje (Spugh Schlange).
No. 41. lemniscatus.
No. 42. naia angusticeps.
No. 40, or the Spew snake, is said to make a prolonged
blow and a hissing sound, thus ejecting its poison to a consid-
erable distance. This is one of the most aggressive varieties
of Ophidians.
One specimen in the collection of the Zoological Society of
London is so absolutely untamable that, after two years' con-
finement in its cage, it flies at any one who approaches too
66
near it.
NAJA OPHIOPHAGUS.
66
The Naja ophiophagus (Hamadryad) is the only species
given, called Sunkerchor (or shell-breaker); in Orissa, Ai-ráz.
Naja bungarus, Schlegel.
elaps,
vittata, Elliott.
Hamadryus ophiophagus, Cantor.
Trimeresurus ophiophagus, Dum. and Bibr.
Hamadryas elaps, Günther.
One of the largest and most formidable venomous snakes
known.*
* Waterton, in his Wanderings, mentions a Vip. snake, named Lach-
mutus, found in British Guiana, and called the Bushmaster, or Curucucu,

56
OPHIDIANS.
The colors and variegations of this variety vary in different
places.
The first variety is olive-green above; shields of the
head, scales of the neck, and hinder parts of the body and
tail edged with black; the trunk with numerous oblique
alternate black and white bands, converging towards the
head; lower parts marbled with blackish, or a uniform pale
greenish color. Habitat, Bengal, Assam, the Malayan Pen-
insula, and Southern India.
Second variety is brownish-yellow, of a uniform shade in
the fore-part; with scales black, edged posteriorly ; each scale
of the tail with a distinct white and black edged ocellus.
Found only in the Philippine Islands and in Burmah.
Third variety is uniform brownish-black; scales of the
hinder part of the body and tail somewhat lighter in the
centre; chin and throat are yellow, but all the remaining
lower parts are black. This variety is found in Borneo.
Young snakes of these varieties may often be mistaken for
other varieties.
The H. naja ophiophagus is most common in the damp
climates of Assam, Bengal, Orissa, and Southern India;
specimens have been found measuring from 8' to 14' in
length. It is very fierce, and always ready not only to attack,
but to pursue. The dilatable neck is not wholly peculiar to
the Cobra, for this is also seen in the Compsosoma radiatum,
and the Tropidonatus macrophthalmus, both innocuous Colu-
bers.
N. elaps Bungarus.—In this species there are two varieties
in India, viz.: the B. Coeruleus or Krait, or Bungarum Pamah,
and the B. fasciatus. The Krait, probably, causes more
sometimes fourteen feet long, found on trees, very poisonous, and very
beautifully marked. This is the Trigonocephalus Lach. of Dr. Hering.

NAJA EL APS BUNGARUS.
57
deaths than any other kind, except the Cobra ; this is the
Gedi Paragoodoo of Russell. It is also called Dhomun
Chiti, in Bengal, &c. :
Pseudoboa coerulea, Schneider.
Boa Krait, Williams.
“ lineata, Shaw.
Bung. coeruleus, Dand.
lividus, Cantor.
candidus, Cantor.
arcuatus, Dum. and Bib.
lineatus, Günther.
66
(6
6
-
-
Günther describes three varieties, viz. :
First Variety.—Upper part of a uniform blackish-brown
(B. lividus ; Cantor). In young specimens the head is white,
with a black line between the occipitals.
Second Variety.—A vertebral series of equidistant small
white spots, from which narrow transverse streaks proceed;
upper parts with narrow white streaks in pairs (B. arcuatus).
The color of the dark parts varies from a steel-blue black to
a chocolate brown; tongue white; iris black. A common
species found in the whole of India. Fangs not so long as
the Cobras, and its poison is less deadly; its length varies
from 29'' to 47". The Krait may be mistaken for the Ly-
codon Aulicus, an innocuous snake of similar appearance,
but the former is always darker than the latter, and this
lacks fangs.
N. Elaps Bung. fasc.—This is the Bungarum Pamah of
Russell, or the Sankni or Rajsamp of some, also Koclia
Krait.
Bung. annularis, Schleg., Daud.
fasciatus, Cantor.
Pseudoboa fasciata, Schneider.

58
OPHIDIANS.
This variety has been found 6 feet long. Body variegated
by a series of black and steel-blue or light-gamboge yellow
rings; lips and throat gamboge, tongue flesh color; fangs
much smaller than the Cobra's, and its poison does not kill
as quickly. Dogs bitten by this snake died in from 4 hours
28 minutes to 10 days.
N. E. Henurelaps bungaroides, Günther.—This is the only
species known of the genus Henurelaps ; length 15%"; tail
13''; brought from the Khasya hills. This variety closely
resembles the Bungarus.
Body subcylindrical, long, slender; head short, subtriangular, rounded
rostrum ; neck not dilatable; tail short; shields of the head normal, but
the loreal is wanting; nostrils lateral, between two shields;. eyes small,
one pre-, two postoculars; scales smooth, slightly imbricate, and in 15
rows; vertebral series enlarged, hexagonal. Anal entire, subcaudal
bifid; maxillaries with a grooved fang in front, and a small smooth
tooth behind.
-
Jerdon says: “It has one white intercepted line, com-
mencing on the vertical and extending to the throat on
each side;" color of body a deep, rich madder-brown, and
the bands yellow, growing more pale towards the anus.
N. Elaps. Callophis.—This species has several varieties, all
venomous, very short fangs. Fowls bitten died in from 1 to
3 hours. The varieties are, viz. :
No. 1. E. Call. intestinalis. No. 4. E. Call. trimaculatus.
" 2.
Maclellandii.
nigrescens.
« 3.
annularis. " 6.
cerasinus.
They are all more or less distinguished by a bright color on
the sombre hue of the general surface of the body. They are
very sluggish, and not aggressive. Günther says they live
principally upon the Calamaridæ (a harmless snake), which
they resemble very much, viz.:
66 5.
66
66
66

CALLOPHIDES.
59
Body cylindrical; abdominal scuta 200 and more; head slightly de-
pressed, not distinguishable from the neck; nostrils lateral, narrow, be-
tween two shields; eyes small, one pre-, two postoculars; temporals in
a single longitudinal series; 6, 7, or 8 upper labials, the 3d and 4th
entering the orbit; scales smooth, 13 rows, uniform, subcaudal, bifid ; a
grooved fang, without any teeth behind it.
The Callophides being, viz.:
Body cylindrical, of nearly the same uniform diameter, much elon-
gated; abdominal scuta 200 and more; head slightly depressed, hardly
distinguishable from neck; shields on head normal, occipitals somewhat
elongate, loreal wanting; the single preocular forms a suture with the
postnasal, extends on to the upper surface of the head, but does not reach
the vertical. Two postoculars in contact with the anterior temporal.
Upper labials eight or less, the third and fourth entering the orbits.
Scales invariably in thirteen rows, smooth, polished, slightly imbricate;
tail short, subcaudals bifid.
First Variety—N. E. CALL. INTESTINALIS. Found in Cen-
tral India; habitat, Singapore. Elaps furcatus, Schlegel,
Schneider.
Aspis intestinalis, Laur., Syn., Amph.
Maticora lineata, Gray.
Elaps intestinalis, Cantor.
Calloph. intestinalis, Günther.
And described by the latter as follows, viz. :
Head light-brown above, yellowish below, spotted with black on the
sides ; a vermilion black-edged band runs from the occiput to the tip of
the tail; a buff-colored band with an upper and lower black border runs
along the joining edges of the two outer series of scales; upper black
border as broad as the stripe of reddish-gray ground color on the side of
the back. Belly with alternate pale citron and black cross-bands; the
darker sbade extends over three or four scuta, the lighter over two.
Tail sometimes marked with three black rings. Upper labials 6; abdom-
inal scuta, 223–271; subcaudal squamæ, 24–26; length 2'; tail 1}%'.
Dr. Stoliczka exhibited a specimen of this variety at a
meeting of the Asiatic Society, in 1870, which had the poison-
gland extended down one-third the length of the body.

60
OPHIDIANS.
66
Second Variety—N. E. CALL. MACLELLANDII.
Elaps Maclell., Reinhard, I. Nat. Hist., 1844.
personatus, Jour. As. Soc., 1855.
univergatus, Günther.
Call. univergatus, Günther, P. Zool. Soc., 1859.
Maclellandii.
1861.
66
Upper labials 7; temporals small 1+1+1; anals bifid; head and
neck black above, with a yellow cross-band behind eyes; body and tail
reddish-brown, generally with a dark brown stripe down the entire length
of the dorsum ; belly yellowish with black cross-bands or quadrangular
black spots. Length from 18 to 26''. Three varieties are given by
Günther, but they differ slightly in appearance.
Third Variety-N. E. CALL. ANNULARIS.
Length 1977, tail 21'; upper labials 6, temporals small 1 +1+1; first
very narrow, third large; abdominal scuta 208, anal bifid; subcaudals 33.
Head and neck black above, with a broad yellow cross-band behind the
eyes; body and tail reddish-brown, with forty narrow equidistant black
white-edged rings; these broadest at the tail, but at neck į of an inch
broad; on the belly they are the breadth of an abdominal scuta. Belly
yellowish, with a black cross-band in the middle between the rings.
Fourth Variety—N. E. CALL. TRIMACULATUS.
Vipera trimac., Dand., Rept.
Elaps
Merr., Tent.
Coluber melanurus, Shaw.
Call. trim., Günther, P. Zool. Soc., 1859.
Length 12'', diameter 3!!; upper labials 6; temporals elongate 1 + 1;
abdominal scuta 258–274; anal bifid; subcaudal squamæ 35. Color light bay
above; an indistinct line formed by minute brown dots along each series
of scales. Upper side of head, neck, and a spot below each eye black;
rostrum with some small irregular spots; a yellow spot on each temporal
shield; a subtriangular yellow spot in the middle of the neck. The
black of the neck edged with yellow behind; tail marbled with black
below; has two black rings, each of which is variegated with yellow;
belly red.
This is the Coluber, No. 8, of Russell.

NAJA EL APS CUPROCEPHALUS.
61
66
Fifth Variety—E. CALL. NIGRESCENS.
E. Call. nigrescens, Günther.
concinnus, Beddome.
Malabariens, Jerdon, Bedd.
Vertical shields elongate; upper labials 7; temporals 1 + 1, the anterior
of double size; abdominal scuta 232-247; subcaudal squama 33–42. Anal
entire generally, but found bifid in one specimen. Length 4', tail 5!!.
Upper parts darkish ash or black; the lower part red, of a uniform
shade; upper part of head symmetrically marbled with black; a black
spot below the eye; another from the occipital to the angle of the mouth;
a black horseshoe-like collar with its convexity forwards; a narrow
black vertebral line slightly edged with yellow, runs from the collar to
the tip of the tail; a series of small ovate black spots, indistinctly edged
with whitish color, along each side of the trunk, disappearing towards
anus; tail colored like body, without black rings.
Sixth Variety—E. CALL. CERASINUS. From Malabar ; de-
scribed by Major Beddome as follows:
Length 21}}', tail 21'; abdominal scuta 228, subcaudal squamæ 13 ;
rostral shield slightly produced back between the frontals; the latter touch
the orbit; loreal and anteocular wanting; nostrils between two nasals;
seven upper labials; 3d, 4th, and 5th very high ; 3d and 4th enter the orbit;
one small post-ocular vertical, hexagonal, elongated, pointed behind;
supraciliary small; occipitals large, elongated, pointed behind, with a
pair of large temporals on each side and eniire; back purplish-brown
with a pearl-like lustre, with forty transverse, broad, irregular-shaped
black bands extending to the tail, equal distances apart, and though
reaching down to the belly on the sides do not quite meet; the two lower
rows of scales and belly of a bright cherry red; head black in front;
neck, with the 5th, 6th, and 7th labials, and a portion of the occipitals,
cherry red.
A North American variety of this genus is the Naja Elaps
Cuprocephalus (nobis); Spanish, Cabeza de Cobre, Copper-
head.
Agkistrodon Contortrix, B. & G.–This species is not known
to have been found except in the Middle and Southwestern

62
OPHIDIANS.
States of North America, abounding particularly at or near
the Bigbone Lick in Kentucky.
It is very much feared on account of the activity of its
poison, and its bite is universally considered fatal.
Length generally 1 metre, but this varies from 75 to 125 centimetres.
Head elliptical, ovoidal, short, somewhat flattened, black, and skin dark
chocolate color, darker in the female than in the male. Belly of a cop-
pery white; eyes small and reddish. The upper surface of the head is
of the same color and lustre as a plate of polished copper tarnished.
The dorsal region of the female is marked with longitudinal stripes, of a
darker and a lighter shade alternated; one series of the stripes of the
same color and shade as that of the male, and the other of a darker
shade. These stripes are from 2 to 3 centimetres wide in their widest part,
and diminish to centimetre in width at the anus; towards the neck they
disappear by graduation of shades into a dark brown band, which encir-
cles the throat. The male is smaller and shorter, of a uniform color of
the light stripes in the female, and for this reason has been considered
as belonging to a different species.
This variety has fangs; the general disposition of the buccal
parts being identical with those of the Crotalus.
This species is always found in marshy districts and near
places frequented by wild animals for drinking. It almost
invariably bites low, in contradistinction to the Crotalus, in-
flicting a wound in the region of the ankle-joint both in man
and in animals. An ox bitten by this serpent makes two or
more paces in advance, and then faces right about as if to
make a reconnoissance of his enemy, who has in the mean-
while coiled his tail about the roots of a shrub or stump, and
commenced a slow undulatory movement from side to side (like
that described of the Rattlesnake), accompanied by a slow
buzzing sound, similar to that produced by the locust; very
faint at first, it grows louder by degrees, until in a few
moments the victim begins the same motion of the head from
side to side in unison with that of the reptile. The body
a

NAJA ELAPS CUPROCEPHALUS.
63
a
soon partakes of the same movement; vertigo supervenes;
the
blood starts from the nostrils, and the animal falls to the
ground; violent contractions of the muscles follow; the body
begins to swell, and shortly death ensues.
Some people entertain the belief that this serpent is endowed
with a power of enchantment, and this is not without a cer-
tain foundation, in the fact that all serpents are highly suscep-
tible to magnetism and magnetic influences. In proof of this
there are “Curers” who will calm and quiet the most uncon-
trollable fury of the most venomous snakes, by making a few
“passes” with both hands, when the reptile approaches, coils
himself up into a small coil, the head low, mouth closed, and
thus remains quiet immediately under the “Curer's” hands.
One who has seen this must acknowledge that some like in-
fluence gave birth to the tales and legends of enchantment
that are transmitted to us from former ages. One may safely
venture to predict at no very distant day in the future, the appli-
cation of magnetism for the cure of certain classes of diseases
in conformity to the law of "similars.” The instance recorded
in Good's “Book of Nature,” of the bird enticed into the
jaws of the snake by its powers of fascination, has been re-
peated to me by different Curers; men who are unacquainted
with each other, who hardly know how to read a little even in
Spanish, much less in English, and whose sole knowledge of
the habits of snakes and reptiles is derived from hours, months,
and years of study of their peculiarities from nature itself,
roaming about in the woods and forests.
It would exact no great effort to fill a volume with these
gleanings ” treasured up in memory, but as I only propose
to enumerate well-authenticated facts, and only such matters
as have come under my immediate observation and experi-
ence, I forbear.
The species N. Elaps Cuprocephalus derives its name fronı
a

64
OPHIDIANS.
the color and lustre of the head bearing such a close resem-
blance to a surface of polished copper, as the name indicates.
N. ELAPS CORALLINUS, Vipera corallina. Spanish, Corál ;
French, Serpent coráil.
Coral Snake.
The Coral Snake is found in Mexico, Central America, and
in all the lowlands of South America as far south as Southern
Brazil, up to from 200 to 1000 metres above the level of the
sea.
Of Ophidians it is the species possessed of the most brilliant
colors, most harmoniously blended. By many persons it is con-
sidered to be exceedingly venomous; as many others, perhaps,
do not believe that its bite produces fatal effects. This is un-
doubtedly owing to those climatic conditions which contribute
in such a marked degree to modify the virulence of animal
poisons in the same genera and species.
By reference to the tabular list of snakes in the different
States of Colombia, it will be observed, where the climate
varies from a torrid heat to the cold of a region of perpetual
snow (14,000 to 18,000 feet above the level of the sea), the
same species occupy different relative positions in different
places, in accordance with the fact that the species are in-
tended to occupy (in the table), each one its comparative
position as regards the virulence of its poison, so far as it
has been possible to institute a comparison between the dif-
ferent species.
Under these climatic conditions, the electro-magnetical
states of the atmosphere exercise an important influence (as
previously stated), modifying, in a remarkable degree, the
effects of the poison in every species.
Thus, one may readily conclude that the same species may

CORAL SNAKE.
65
be exceedingly venomous in some districts, and at certain
periods, while in other sections, and under different conditions,
it may be innocuous. Facts prove such a conclusion to be
entirely legitimate.
The Coral Snake varies in length from 50 centimetres to
1 metre.
Body from 3 to 4 centimetres in diameter. Head somewhat broader
than the body, somewhat flattened, and of the shape of two cones, joined
at their bases with rounded apices; its superior surface covered by 11
shields of a whitish color, separated by black lines, and arranged in
transverse series, as follows, viz. : (commencing at the nares) two small
ones; two a little broader and wider; three still larger (in the edges and
external periphery of the outer ones of which the eyes are placed);
and, lastly, four still broader and wider. The shape, contour, number,
and color of these scales is invariable in every individual of this species,
male or female, pure or hybrid.
In the female, the posterior third of the head is marked with an entire
band of small black scales, broader on its posterior edge, with a narrow
white ring; this band is followed by one of coral-red, 7 centimetres wide,
and extending from side to side of the belly; next to this is a black
band, like the first, 2 centimetres wide, with a narrow white ring on
each edge; this alternating one with another, there are from 12 to
16 bands terminating with the anus, the caudal part being black.
The belly is whitish-red along its central axis, and shaded out to meet
the bands in graduations of their respective colors.
The male is shorter and of smaller diameter than the female; head
smaller, more flattened, and without the posterior black ring but from
the posterior third of its length to the caudal extremity ; body of a
uniform coral-red color; belly reddish-white in both male and female;
it is covered with from 150 to 200 scuta, slightly curved towards the
head; subcaudal squama, 20 to 24 pairs, divided through their centre
;
by an irregular line.
Of more than fifty individuals of this variety examined in
South America, the buccal parts are as follows, viz.: deprived
of fangs; the triangular sac is wanting ; one of the teeth
(in the same relative position of the fang in the Rattlesnake,
which is at the anterior third part of the longitudinal axis
6

66
OPHIDIANS.
of the mouth), is slightly prolonged and curved backwards;
this tooth has its anterior part deeply grooved from base to
point; a minute filament terminating in a sheath (in line with
this groove and at the base of the tooth), connects with a
minute bladder (containing the poison), which lies in a con-
cavity in the bony process of the upper jaw, and in the same
relative position as in the Crotalus horridus. By a slight
pressure on the point where the poison-bladder lies, the fila-
ment will be seen to protrude from its sheath, adjust itself to
the groove down which it slides, and when it reaches the
extremity of the tooth, a drop or more of poison flows from
its point; at the same instant a small quantity of greenish,
viscous mucus flows down towards the point of the tooth
from a gland situated at its posterior part; a drop is seen to
form on the point of the tooth; the reptile makes a hissing
sound, with the mouth still open, and these drops of mucus
are thus expelled.
This latter is bitter to the taste. In fact, as far as it is
possible to judge (without entering into the details of a
chemical analysis), it seems to be gall mixed with saliva.
What are its use and functions ? Evidently a small quantity
of the poison may possibly have remained on the lower point
of the tooth after its ejection by the filament, and this mucus
is discharged by its apparatus upon just that portion of the
tooth which may have been moistened by the poison; palpably
and undoubtedly it is a disposition of nature to antidote
the poison by a secretion generated in the reptile's own
organs; this antidote is the gall, and experience proves it
to be the most efficacious one known, as may be seen in
This conclusion was the result of a micro-
scopical examination of a Copperhead, killed several years
since near Covington, Ky.
another page.

CORAL SNAKE.
67
a
But, according to Dr. Mure,* the variety existing in Brazil
has the teeth alternated with small bifurcated valves, which
cover the mouth of the secretory glands of the poison. It is
to be hoped that some Brazilian naturalist will examine
minutely several individuals of the species, to determine this
point with precision, for its existence would furnish a charac-
teristic which would place the variety found in the United
States of Colombia and Northern South America under another
name. Possibly, Dr. Mure mistook the salivary glands and
duct for the secretory apparatus of the poison. The lower
jaw is provided with two series of teeth, lower maxillary and
lingual, which are furnished with short, fine, closely set teeth,
all considerably curved backwards, the upper ones being the
usual series of marginal maxillary and palatine teeth.
This species has no habits which lead it to choose one re-
gion or locality in preference to another, except that it does
not frequent low, swampy places. Individuals are found in
the walls of houses; under loose boards; in cribs of corn;
in the thatch of the roof; under the pillows and clothes of
the bed; in any kitchen utensil, and everywhere in the forest.
The male is often seen copulating with the Viba. Aznfrada,
and many other varieties; but the female is never found
copulating with any but the male of her own species! This
is a singular fact, and shows how nature preserves the kind
by endowing the female with this instinctive preference.
Varieties of this species found in South Africa are,
No. 1. N. Elaps Sunderwallii. 1 sub-variety.
hygeæ.
1
dorsalis.
1
aspidelaps rubricus. 1
viz.:
66
66 2.
(6 3.
(6 4.
(6
66
66
* Pathogenesie Brésillienne.

68
OPHIDIANS.
66
66
66
66
66
66
The following occur in Australia, viz. :
No. 1. N. Elaps diemenia psammophis. 1 sub-variety.
olivacea. 1
reticulata. 1
mulleri. 1
superciliosa. 1
torquata. 1
pseudonaja nuchalis. 1
furina callonotos.
9.
bimaculata.
10.
brachyurophis australis.
66
66
ci ca in conosco
66
66
06
A variety occurs in Brazil, called :
11. N. Elaps lemiscatus (Labarri). Its skin is beau-
tifully variegated with rainbow hues, which
fade after death. This has fangs.
NINETEENTH GENUS—HYDROPHIDÆ.
Aquatic snakes, found in the China seas and in the Persian
Gulf and coast of Madagascar. All have flat, two-edged, eel-
shaped tails, and are exceedingly poisonous. Some varieties
attain a length of 12 feet or more.
Günther
says they most
abound in the seas between Southern China and Australia.
They have generally small jaws, and smaller fangs than the
land snakes. Cases of their bites have produced death in
from 1 hour 15 minutes to 72 hours. The last was an unusual
case, and the bitten person was administered alcohol freely
,
during the time he remained alive, which undoubtedly pro-
longed greatly the action of the poison ; at the same time,
other causes (suggested on another page), may have com-
bined to deprive it of its greatest activity at the time it was
introduced into the blood.

HYDROPHIDÆ.
69
The abdominal scuta in this species is generally not well
marked; all have an eel-like appearance.
.
The Platurus seems to be a transitional link between
aquatic and land snakes, and it has disproportionately large
abdominal scuta. The eyes are exceedingly small, and have
circular pupils, which latter covering the eye makes them al-
most blind when taken out of the water. The head shields are
peculiar, and differ from those of land snakes. Nasals large;
nostrils on the edge of rostrum; anterior frontals wanting; a
single pair of frontals; one vertical; two supraciliaries; two
occipitals; one ocular; one or two post-oculars; loreals none;
labials irregularly arranged and divided.
This genus has seven species, which occur in India, &c., viz.:
No. 1. Hydr. platurus. 2 varieties.
2. aipysurus.
4
3.
disteira.
2
4. acalyptus.
5. hydrophis. 33
6. enhydrina. 2
pelamis.
1 variety.
66
66
66
5
66.
66
66
7.
Total, 49 varieties.
Nos. 1, 5, 6, and 7 occur in the Indian Ocean.
First Species-PLATURUS.
Günther gives two varieties :
No. 1. Hydrophis platurus scutatus.
2.
Fischerii.
66
In this species the tail is not prehensile; body subcylindrical; scales
imbricate, smooth, in from 19 to 25 series ; subcaudal squamæ bifid;
head shields regularly disposed; poison-fang short, and has sometimes a
single large tooth behind it.

70
OPHIDIANS.
0
No. 1. Hydrophis platurus scutatus.
Coluber laticaudatus. L. mus. Ad. Fried.
Laticaudatus scutata. Laur. syn. rept. (Cantor).
Hydrus colubrinus. Schneider.
Platurus fasciatus. Lat. rept.
Hydrophis colubrinus. Schlegel.
Habitat, Bay of Bengal.
Length 5 ft. and upwards. Abdominal scuta 213 to 241; dorsal scales
disposed in 21 to 23 longitudinal rows; body surrounded by from 25 to 50
black rings; an azygos shield between the posterior frontals; crown of
head black; first and second black mark on head and neck are joined
below by a black longitudinal band commencing from the chin; rostrum
and side of the head yellow, with a black band running across the eye.
No. 2. Hydrophis platurus Fischerü, Jan.
Habitat, the tidal streams near Calcutta.
Abdominal scuta 232 to 241 ; scales in 19 rows; trunk marked by 33
to 36 black rings, which are broader than the interstices; a black band
crosses the occiput and extends forward over the vertical plate and lower
jaw, but is not confluent with the adjacent ring; upper part of rostrum
yellow; upper labials black.
Two varieties of this species occur in Australia.
Further species occurring in the seas about Australia are:
No. 2. Aipysurus. 3 varieties.
3. Disteira dol. 1 variety.
4. Acolyptus. 1
5. Hydrophis. 4 varieties.
6. Enhydrina. 1 variety
7. Pelamis bicolor. 1
And Krefft adds-
No. 8. Emydocephalus. 2 varieties.
Making in all 15 varieties already classified.
66

HYDROPHIDÆ.
71
26
66
ܗ ܨ ܩ ܪܐ ܝܲܢ ܘܲ
C6
66
26
66
66
Fifth Species-HYDR. HYDROPHIS, Daud.
This species has the following varieties, viz.:
No. 1. H. hydr. Jerdonii. Indian coast and Penang.
2.
Stokesii. Doubtful.
major. Indian Ocean.
robustia. Indian Ocean.
coerulescens. Bay of Bengal; Penang.
aspera.
Singapore.
spiralis. Indian Ocean.
8.
cyanocincta. Indian Ocean, Ceylon, and
Bay of Bengal.
9.
subcincta. Indian Ocean.
10.
nigrocincta. Bay of Bengal.
11.
torquata. Bay of Bengal, Penang,
Soonderbuns, Indian
Ocean.
.
chloris.
Soonderbuns, Bay of Ben-
gal.
13.
Lindsayii. Indian coast.
14.
latifasciata. Mergui.
15.
coronata. Bay of Bengal, Soonder-
buns.
16.
diadema, Indian Ocean.
17.
gracilis. Indian coast, Bay of Ben-
gal.
18.
fasciata. Indian coast, Bay of Ben-
gal.
19.
Cantoris. Penang
20.
lapemoides. Indian coast; Ceylon.
21.
longiceps. Indian Ocean.
22.
stricticollis. Doubtful.
23.
ornata.
Indian Ocean.
12.
66
66
66
66
66
66

72
OPHIDIANS.
66
66
66
66
66
No. 24. H. hydr. Elliottii. Indian coast; Ceylon.
25.
pachycereus. Indian Ocean,
26.
viperina. Indian coast.
27.
curta.
Indian coast, near Pooree.
28.
Hardwickii. Penang
29.
Fayreriana.* Indian coast, Bay of
Bengal, Pooree.
30.
tuberculata.* Tidal streams, near Cal-
cutta.
31.
crassicolis. * Bay of Bengal.
32.
Stewartii.* Bay of Bengal.
33.
nigra.* Bay of Bengal.
Nos. 1, 4, 8, 10, 12, 15, 22, 27 are Günther's, and Nos.
29, 30, 31, 32, and 33, are classified by Dr. Anderson.
Experiments made with the poison of several of these varie-
ties prove it to be very deadly. Fangs are small and grooved,
the involution not being so complete as in the fangs of land
snakes. They possess a strong family resemblance to each
other. Günther’s general description of the genus is as fol-
lows, viz.:
66
66
Posterior part of body strongly compressed; head short, or of a mod-
erate length, shielded above; one pair of frontals; nostrils superior in a
single nasal ; both contiguous; scales imbricate or not so, not polished,
generally carinated; ventral shields very narrow, or quite rudimentary,
or absent; lower jaw without the notch in front.
Günther describes the following, viz.:
Species No. 1. Hydroph. Jerdonii.
Hydrus nigrocinctus, Cantor.
Kerilia Jerdonii, Gray.
Abdominal scuta 235-238, bituberculate. Head short; rostrum de-
* Anderson.

HYDROPHIDÆ.
73
clivous, rather pointed. Body covered with 19-21 rows of large, highly
carinated, imbricated scales, higher than long, with apex slightly trun-
cated; frontal shields small, not much larger than the preocular; one
postocular; five upper labials, the third and fourth of which enter tbe
orbit, the last one below the postocular; two or three large temporals on
the side of each occipital, the anterior of which enters the labial margin
behind the fifth labial; anal scuta small; terminal scale of the tail large;
a series of seven simple teeth behind the fang in front; trunk variegated
with 34 to 36 black cross-bands, broadest on the back, and extending to
the belly in young
individuals.
The genus Hydrophis is sufficiently described for the
pur-
pose by what has already been given. The description of
each species can only be carried out in detail in a zoological
treatise.
Sixth Species-ENHYDRINA, Gray.
This genus differs from the Hydrophis only in the deep
cleft in the lower jaw where the mandibles do not unite, and
the fold of the integument connecting them forms a deep notch.
Dr. Russell describes two species as Valakadyen and Hooghly
Pattee:
Enhydrina Bengalensis, Gray.
valakadyen,
Valakadyen, Russell.
Hydrus valakadyen, Boie.
Hydrophis schistosa, Schleg., Fisher, Dum, and Bib.
Hydrus schistosa, Cantor.
Hydroph. Bengalensis, Gray.
subfasciata,
Thalassophis Werrerii, Schmidt.
Dr. Russell says these have no fangs, but the specimens
examined show a short fang with the poison-channel open
throughout a part of its length. (For description, see Russell,
vol. ii, 10 and 11.)
66
7

74
OPHIDIANS.
-
Pelamis.—The most common species of sea-snakes. Habi-
tat, the Bay of Bengal, where it is called Kullundur. The
only variety given is-
Pelamis platurus, Linn.
bicolor, Daud, Günther.
Hydrus bicolor, Schneider.
Hydrophis variegata, Schlegel.
pelamis,
Pelamis ornata, Gray.
Habitat, Pooree.
66
Length 123''. Head flat, with a long spatula-shaped rostrum. Neck
stout; nasal shields contiguous, pierced by the nostrils in their posterior
edge; one pair of frontals; abdominal scuta 378 to 440; scales in 45 to
51 series. Color variable.
Günther describes four varieties :
-
First Variety.—Color black above, sides and belly uniform brownish
olive; tail with black spots. Second Variety.-Back black, belly and
sides brown, separated by a black and yellow band, large spots posteri-
orly. Third Variety.--The black color on the back becomes narrow and
sinuous behind the middle of the body; posteriorly a dorsal series of
rhombic confluent spots, sides and belly with an irregular series of
rounded black or brown spots. Fourth Variety.—Yellow, with about
fifty brown, black-edged cross-bands extending to the belly, which is
crossed by narrow, vertical, brownish-black streaks, alternating with
the dorsal bands, some of which are confluent, forming a zigzag band;
head yellow variegated with black.
OPHIDIA VIPERIFORMES.
This suborder has two genera, viz.:
No. 1. Crotalidæ, and No. 2. Viperidæ.

CROTALIDÆ.
75
.
TWENTIETH GENUS-CROTALIDÆ (Pit Vipers).
It is made up of the following species, viz.:
Varieties.
1. Trimeresurus,
9
2. Peltopelor,
1
India.
3. Halys, :
2
4. Hypnale,
1)
5. Crotalus,
3 United States.
9
1 Mexico.
1 New Mexico.
6. Caudisona,
Crotalidæ.
1 Venezuela.
(11 species
1 Guiana and Brazil.
and 39 va-
1
Mexico.
rieties.) 7. Craspedocephalus, . 3 2 Brazil,1 Martinique.
8. Fasciatus, . .
U.S. of Colombia.
9. Crotaphopheltus rufescens, 1 South Africa.
10. Calloselasma rhodostoma, 1 Java and Siam.
11. Crotalophorus miliaris, 1
Asia (Kuhl).
.
Total, .
39 varieties.
.
a
60
66
Of this genus the only species found in India that has the
vestige of a caudal appendage is the Halys; and in this it is
reduced to a simple horny spine or point.
First Species—CROTALUS TRIMERESURUS, is made up
of-
No. 1. Crotalus Trimeresurus gramineus, Günther.
erythrurus,
carinatus,
anamallensis,
monticola,
strigatus,
mucrosquamatus,“
Andersonii,
Crotalus Trimeresurus.-Although the individuals of this
species are fierce and venomous, yet few deaths are ascribed to
66
66
(6
6
66

76
OPHIDIANS.
their bites. They are probably ovoviviparous. Dr. Gün-
ther thinks the degree of danger in case of a bite depends
upon
the size and fierceness of the snake. Facts do not seem
to warrant this conclusion, but the experiments with poisons
point decidedly to the Cobra poison as the most deadly, and
as being unique in its action; but there are well-authenticated
cases of the South American Echis striata producing death in
less than three minutes, and this is a snake not more than 17''
a
to 20'' long, and l" in diameter, but with disproportionately
large fangs. One thing that is peculiar to this species is that
they adapt their color to the locality in which they live, like
the well-known tree toad.
Crotalus Trimeresurus gramineus.—This is described as the
Boodroo Pam by Dr. Russell, under two varieties.
Vipera viridis, Daud, Rept.
gramin., Cantor.
Trimeres. viridis, Gray.
elegans,
Coluber gramineus, Shaw.
Trimeres. gram., Günther.
Common in Assam and the Khasya hills.
(6
66
Length from 1897 to 32''; tail 23'' ; abdominal scuta 158 to 170; sub-
caudal squama 58 to 71. Scales on the head are small and smooth, or in-
distinctly keeled. Color of a black grass-green, lighter on sides, and
greenish-white on belly; tail is sometimes red ; a yellowish or brick-red
line runs along this outer series of scales. It is smaller than the Trimeres.
carinatus.
Crotalus Trimeres. erythrurus.
Trigonocephalus erythrurus, Cantor.
Trimeres. albolabris, Gray.
Trigonocephalus viridis, Schleg.

CROTALIDÆ
77
This is the species described by Dr. Russell (in vol. ii, pl.
20) as Boodroo Pam.
Head elongate-oval, much depressed; tail and rostrum white; the lat-
eral line white bordered with purple or greenish below. Color grass
green, lighter on sides and belly; scales on body highly carinated, in
21 to 23 series. Abounds in the delta of the Ganges, Moulmein, Penang,
and Java, and probably on the Nicobar Islands.
66
66
Orotalus Trimeres. carinatus.
Trimeres. carinatus, Gray.
bicolor,
porphyraceus, Blyth.
This species is found in Bengal, Sikkim, Himalaya, and
Burmah, resembling closely the Trimeres. gramineus.
Length 36'', diameter 137. Scales on body in 25 rows prominently
carinated. Color dark grass green, darker on head, and tail lighter green
below, approaching to white on belly. Head broad, triangular, covered
with small carinated scales; the second upper labials form the anterior
margin of the loreal pit. There is one well-developed azygos shield
between the supranasals. Abdominal scuta 164 to 169; subcaudal squama
54 to 60.
The Trimeres. carinatus, Trimeres. bicolor, and Trimeres.
porphyraceus, seem to have slight differences in appearance,
&c., although classed as distinct species.
Crotalus Trimeres. anamallensis, generally 24" long or less.
Abdominal scuta 148 to 158; subcaudal squamæ 51 to 55. Color generally
yellowish-green, with a dorsal series of large rhombic black spots, each
spot subdivided by or variegated with yellow. Upper side of head mar-
bled with black or a uniform green; a black or brown band runs from
the back edge of the eye to the corner of the mouth ; supraciliary with
one or two black cross-streaks; belly yellowish-green with numerous
yellow and black spots along its side; tail black, with yellow and green
spots.

78
OPHIDIANS.
Crotalus Trimeres. monticola.
Parias maculata, Gray.
Length 23 to 29"; diameter 1''; abdominal scuta 137 to 141 ; subcaudal
squamæ 41, and with 23 series of black scales. Those on head smooih,
on body slightly carinated; supraciliaries very largé. Color in some in-
dividuals pale brown, with a vertebral row of large, square, dark brown
maculæ ; along the sides a row of small dark spots; a pale streak across
the temples. Belly dark mottled. Other specimens are of a cinnamon
gray, beautifully marked with dark square spots, with the common U-
shaped mark on the neck of a whitish color. Eyes small; supranasals
separated by two shields. Specimens were from Darjeeling.
Crotalus Trimeres. strigatus, Gray.
Trigonocephalus Nilgherriensis, Jerdon.
.
This species is found on the Nilgherries and Deccan, and
also in Ootacamund.
Length not exceeding 19. Abdominal scuta 136 to 142; subcaudal
squama 31 to 46. Whitish, horseshoe-shaped mark on the neck; brown
with dark markings, a dark brown band leading from eye to neck; whole
upper surface of head covered with small nearly smooth scales; nine or
ten upper labials; scales carinate in 21 series. Tail terminates in a coni-
cal cuplike scale.
Crotalus Trimeres. mucrosquamatus.
Trigonocephalus mucrosquamatus, Cantor.
Habitat, Caga hills and Assam. Length not given. Can-
tor's description is, viz. :
Abdominal scuta 218; subcaudal squama 91. Color brownish-gray
above, with black, white-edged rings, covered with oval, slightly carin-
ated, pointed, imbricate scales, whitish beneath, dotted with black.
Crotalus Trimeres. Andersonii, Theobald.
Habitat, Assam.
Length 20'' ; tail 29". Abdominal scuta 182 ; subcaudal squamæ 56 to

CROTALIDÆ.
79
71. Scales carinated on body, 25 rows; second upper labial forms ante-
rior margin of the preorbital pit ; supranasals separated by an azygos
shield. Color above and below a rich brown. Belly and sides conspicu-
ously marked with white spots.
Crotalus Trimeres. Wardii.
Jerdon proposes this name for a species described as-
Greenish with purplish-brown diamond spots on back and sides.
Length 11!! to 14'!.
Habitat, Nilgherries.
Second Species—CROTALUS PELTOPELOR (Günther).
Crotalus Peltopelor macrolephis.
Trimeres.
Beddome.
Habitat, Anamallay Mountains, at from 4000 to 6000 feet
elevation.
66
Length 21" ; tail 43". Abdominal scuta 133 to 138; subcaudal squamæ
'
53 to 56. Rostral triangular, erect. Head covered with large plate-like
scales. Color dark green, lighter below ; last row of scales on each side
white from neck to tail ; scales in 12 to 14 rows, smallest ones form the
white stripe; all pointed and highly carinated.
Third Species—CROTALUS HALYS (Gray).
Habitat, Hindostan.
This species is distinguished by a broad, obtuse head covered with
shields in 23 to 27 series. Carinated scales;
Carinated scales ; has squamæ. Tail short, ter-
minates in a spine or thornlike point.
This species has the following varieties, viz. :
No. 1. Crotalus Halys Elliottii.
2.
Himalayanus.
No. 1. Crotalus Halys Elliottii.
Trigonocephalus Elliottii (Jerdon), is :
Length two feet and upwards. Abdominal scuta 151 ; subcaudal
66
66

80
OPHIDIANS.
squamæ 43; scales in 23 rows. Color olive-green above, pearl-white on
the belly
Habitat, Nilgherries.
No. 2. Crotalus Halys Himalayanus.
Trigonocephalus affinis (Günther). Habitat, the North-
west Himalayas.
Length 23 to 34, diameter {"; abdominal scuta 162 to 166, subcaudal
squamæ 43 to 51. Rostrum broader than long; nose protruding; rostral
oblique, higher than broad; frontals well developed, entire; anterior fron-
tals short; transverse tapering on the sides, together form a crescent shape;
posterior frontals large, pointed in front, rounded behind; occipitals
small, rounded. Five upper labials, a sixth and seventh confluent with
the temporals; the second small, not entering the margin of the facial
pit; a third enters the orbit; three large temporals, the two hinder ones
forming a portion of the lip; body round; tail terminates in a long spine.
Color dark brown, with large band-like spots along the back, scarcely
distinguishable except by their black edges. Belly almost entirely black
marbled with yellow; a broad blackish band runs from the eye along the
temporal shields to the angle of the mouth, with a narrow black and white
edge above and below; lower labials marked with dun yellow and black.
This species is found, according to Stoliczka, at an eleva-
tion of 10,000 feet.
Fourth Species—CROTALUS HYPNALE (Fitz).
Variety Crotalus Hypnale nepa, called Carawilla in South-
ern India, or Coluber
nepa,
Laur. *
Carawala, Davy.
Cophias hypnale, Merr. tent.
Trigonocephalus hypnale, Wagl.
Trimaculatus (?) Ceylonensis, Gray.
Trigonocephalus zara, Gray.
Günther's description is, viz.: Habitat, Southern India,
Malabar, Anamallay Mountains, and Ceylon.
* Described also by Russell, vol. ii, pl. 22.

CROTALIDÆ.
81
Length 19", tail 21; abdominal scuta 140 to 152, subcaudal squama
31 to 45. Color brown, gray, or reddish olive, with a double dorsal series
of brown or black spots; those of both sides sometimes confluent with
cross-bands. Sides and belly marbled and dotted with brown or black;
upper lip brown or black, well marked by a darker line running from
behind the eye to angle of the mouth; a whitish temporal streak above
the dark line, sometimes continued along the side of the neck with an
interrupted brown band above and below it. Chin and throat blackish
or brownish, variegated with yellow or gray,
CROTALUS FASCIATUS.
The Banded Rattlesnake, found in the United States of
Colombia. The varieties which abound in the Northern and
Northwestern States of America are the most venomous; their
poison is much more active than those found in tropical
climates. The former are found of from two to three and
one-half metres in length. (One was killed near Venice,
Erie County, Ohio, in 1850, which measured 12 feet 4 inches
extreme length.)
It abounds more particularly in Western New York,
Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois,
Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, and in
Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, California, and the base of the
Rocky Mountains, on both the eastern and western slopes.
Following down the chain of mountains from California,
through Mexico, Central America, and the Isthmus of Darien
to the Southwestern Andes, this species still abounds at from
300 to 1000 or 1500 metres above the level of the sea ; from
Darien to the mouth of the Amazon, and from the plains of
Casanare to the southern boundary of Brazil.
Its usual length is 150 centimetres (5 feet nearly). Head ovaloid, or
triangular, partly covered with small tile-shaped scales. Eyes large in
proportion to the size of the head; dorsal region of a reddish-brown,
shaded with yellow sides. Belly of a much lighter shade, which changes
to a lead-colored white below. Sides and back covered with from 30 to

82
OPHIDIANS.
36 rows of rhomboidal scales of a nearly uniform shape and size ; dorsal
scales slightly oval, lanceolated ; caudal scales rhomboidal, but smaller.
The belly is covered with from 130 to 212 consecutive half rings or
semi-elliptical scales (scuta) extending from the throat to the anus. Body
thick, of a conical shape (in section), diminishing in size from its centre
to the tail, and slightly reduced in diameter at the neck.
The caudal extremity is provided with a series of inter-
sected hollow rings or capsules, so arranged that they have
great freedom of motion and flexibility (these rings are com-
posed of a substance similar in nature to horn); a new one of
which is added every year, so that the number of composing
rings of the rattle (cascabel) indicates the snake's age.
I have seen individuals with from 5 to 21 capsules, and
others are found at times which have from 25 to 40, and that
individuals of this genus do attain an age of more than forty
years seems to be a fact established beyond all reasonable
doubt.
The lower teeth are disposed in two concentric semi-
ellipses (maxillary and lingual series); the upper ones in two
series (maxillary and palatal); when the mouth is closed
those in the lower series lie between those of the upper series
in the
spaces just outside and just inside them; all the teeth
are curved backwards, longer or shorter according to the size
of the individual, but of nearly an equal length. From each
side of the upper jaw, and just back of a vertical line with the
eye, there is a triangular-shaped bone to which the fang is
attached; this is curved backwards, and when erect its chord
forms nearly a right angle with the roof of the mouth or axial
line of the upper jaw.
On the posterior side of its base is an articulation by which
it is attached to the forward end of the external pterygoid
bone; this articulation is a fixed point upon which the fang
hinges, its erection and depression being effected by the cor-

CROTALIDÆ.
83
a
responding muscles attached to the sides of the angle of the
mouth, and controlled by the will of the reptile.
This fang is (in large individuals) from five-eighths of an
inch to an inch in length, with a broad base or root, and very
securely attached to one of the side-bones of the head. These
bones are attached to the anterior and posterior shield-like
bones of the head by a strong but flexible cartilage, which,
yielding in every direction, permits a certain amount of move-
ment to the base of the fang. The external portion of the
fang is exceedingly hard and tough in its anterior part; and
close to its point of attachment to the side-bones, it is per-
forated by a minute canal or tube, which extends down to
the extreme lower point of the fang, terminating in an open-
ing or slit of a double convex shape. This tube is entirely
disconnected from all the inner portion of the root, nerves,
or blood vessels which nourish its bony mass. Just back of
and below the eye, there is a slight concavity or depression
in the upper mandibule, which contains a small sac or dimin-
utive bladder, containing from six to twenty-five drops of
poison. This small bladder terminates on one side in a
threadlike tube, which passes through a perforation in the
posterior wall of its concavity, and, passing inside and behind
the buccal glands, is attached to the upper mouth of the chan-
nel in the fang.
On the other side the bladder is connected with the poison-
gland and its secretory apparatus, which is so clearly de-
scribed by Dr. Mitchell.* The South American varieties
have a distinctly formed poison sac or bladder, as just de-
scribed; and I have frequently taken from a snake six feet
long twenty drops of venom from each fang, making forty
drops in all. Although Dr. Mitchell says he could never
procure more than five or six drops at a time, and then only
* Researches, &c, on the Venom of the Rattlesnake.

84
OPHIDIANS.
at the will of the snake; I can say that I never found any
difficulty in extracting from any snake with fangs all the
poison held in deposit in the poison-sac by pressure upon the
external parts, and that in so doing I have never been able to
discover that any act of volition on the part of the reptile
could prevent it.
A perfectly healthy person, or one whose digestive organs
are perfectly sound, can take two or three drops of this poison
in a teaspoonful of water, without its producing any fatal
effects; but should any organic lesion of any of the parts of
the digestive apparatus exist, it would then act toxically, by
being absorbed into the part where the lesion exists, and
prove fatal in precisely the same manner as by the bite of the
snake.
The buccal glands, which are attached to the periphery of
the
upper
mandible on each side, by contraction press upon
the poison-bladder, and thus produce a flow of the liquid
through the extreme point of the fang, introducing it, by this
arrangement, into the deepest part of the wound made by the
latter.
A fold of membranous texture is attached from the ante-
rior point of the attachment of the buccal gland to the poste-
rior angle of the mouth, on the inside of the fang, and also
along the periphery of the upper part of the mouth and out-
side of the fang, this forming a long triangular-shaped sac, in
which the fang is inclosed when distended, which in its lower
apex is perforated by a small hole surrounded by an elastic
ring or sphincter of a fibrous nature. When this is expanded
and the sac contracted, the fang protrudes; but when the sac
is expanded, the contraction of the fibrous ring closes the
little opening completely. The posterior part of the triangu-
lar sac has its two opposite sides united by a transverse mem-
brane, which runs nearly up to the point of attachment of the

CROTALIDÆ.
85
two sides, thus dividing the sac into an anterior and posterior
part.
A fibrous filament has one of its ends attached to the poste-
rior extremity of the triangular sac and the anterior extremity
attached to the base of the fang; along this filament are sus-
pended a series of fangs, six or seven in number, the one next
the fixed one being somewhat shorter, and the successive ones
diminishing in size, the last being scarcely a line (one-eighth
of an inch) in length.
By this beautiful and curious disposition of nature, the ser-
pent can use its teeth and mouth for mastication, without any
particle of food coming in contact with the apparatus which
contains and ejects the poison. If a fang is broken or falls
off, the filament contracts and draws a spare one to its place,
which soon becomes fixed, and the apparatus is again in
working order.
The color and variegations of the skin of this species differ
in different places, those found in North America (as pre-
viously stated) having yellowish sides, covered with chocolate-
colored spots, and a reddish-brown back. The varieties which
are found in the United States of Colombia (Crot. fasciatus)
are of a dun or seedy-black color on the back, and the whole
length of the body divided into alternate stripes or bands,
about three inches in width, beginning close to the head: the
first one is of a smooth green; the next of an identical color
with the back; the following one of the same color as the
first band; and so on to the anus,—the last band being
greenish and the rattle a dun color. The belly is greenish-
white on the sides, and this shades down imperceptibly to a
pale lead-color below.
These South American varieties are shorter than those
found in the temperate zones, and are always found on hill-
sides where the surface is broken, and on stony or rocky

86
OPHIDIANS.
6
ground. During the rainy season their poison is not consid-
ered so virulent in its action as during the dry season ; but
the female when pregnant is much more venomous than dur-
ing any other period. The most expert “Curers” say that
their bite is not venomous when the atmosphere is surcharged
with electricity; and as during the wet season thunder and
lightning almost invariably accompany every rainstorm, this
may account for the fact previously stated.
In this connection, the question naturally suggests itself,
will not electrical shocks destroy the effects of the poison ?
Experiments to determine this point would be interesting,
and might develop some new fact about the action of the
poison.
The genus Crotalus derives its name from a strong fetid
smell, like musk, which the reptile emits when provoked :
this smell is supposed or said to produce a stupefying effect.
It never bites without giving previous warning by a shake of
the rattle, and blows of the axe in felling trees bring one or
more (that chance to be in the vicinity) to the spot. It se-
lects a branch or shrub around which to coil the tail; makes a
peculiar hissing noise with the mouth, and instantly “springs
its rattle," measures its distance, and, with jaws distended to
their utmost, its forked tongue bobbing in and out, like the
needle of a sewing machine in motion, and eyes that seem to
flash out sparks of fire, it sways the head and body from side
to side with a slow undulatory motion that fascinates the
sight, and then makes its final spring upon its prey.
Its
movements are comparatively slow, and the swaying motions
of the head from side to side are, per se, graceful and even
majestic
Any person threatened by an attack of the Rattlesnake,
however, can turn the reptile aside and avoid the danger by
simply throwing a hat down in the snake's path ; it will
a

CROTALIDÆ.
87
take it away.
immediately coil itself around it, and wait for you to try and
It is a common custom for the Curers, when
they meet with one in the woods, to throw down a hat, and
then
go
to the house or village to get some one to kill the
snake for them, as they are superstitious about killing one
themselves; they say it makes them fail oftener in performing
cures!
The Crotalus “ bites high,” to use the Curers' expression.
It is said always to wound above the knee, and by judging of
the distance of the wound from the ground, they calculate
whether the individual was large, medium-sized, or small.
This rule appears to be deduced entirely from observation and
experience, and it is not strange that these Curers are almost
worshipped by the common people (like the magicians and
soothsayers of olden times), when you see them examine
a person bitten, and hear them say: “The snake will be
found in such a place; it is so long ” (measuring the length on
the floor), and learn that the reptile has been found at or near
the spot indicated, and is—with little difference of the length
foretold.
The poison of the Rattlesnake has been considered to be
the specific cure for leprosy; but an experiment, made a few
years since in Brazil by some allopathic physicians,* upon one
M. J. Machado, added another name to the list of victims
sacrificed under the protection of the law, in the name of
science, without the results of the trial or experiment having
given to the world aught in recompense for such heroic ab-
negation.
The Crotalus Craspedocephalus Brasiliensis, found in Brazil,
is said to be very deadly; but no description of it has, as
yet, been given.
* See Mure's Pathogenesie Brésillienne.

88
OPHIDIANS.
For a
The Crotalus Craspedocephalus lanceolatus, or Yellow snake
of Martinique, called Fer de lance, or Lance-headed viper,
has been long considered in Europe to be the Trigonocephala
lachesis of Dr. Constantine Hering; this is an error.
description of the Vip. T. Lach., see page 94.
Günther says that the varieties of this genus found in India
have the extremity of the tail armed with a ball, or onion-
shaped appendage, and not with a regular series of capsules,
like the Crotalus horridus and Crotalus fasciatus. Alike
appendage occurs in some individuals of the latter species,
very rarely, however.
The genus Crotalus is called a classification of Pit Vipers,
because the varieties choose their dwelling-place in pits and
caves, most generally frequented by burrowing or small ani-
mals; as, for example, occurs on the Plains of the Great
West of North America, where it is a well-known fact that
the caves of the prairie-dogs are always tenanted by a dog,
a rabbit, and a rattlesnake.
genus has
TWENTY-FIRST GENUS-VIPERIDÆ.
This has a great number of species already classified,
and there are many varieties, particularly in South America,
which have as yet received no scientific name.
These are the
true vipers, all provided with a poison of a nature more or
less deadly; some have fangs, others are not provided with
them, but have their buccal parts and poison-apparatus simi-
larly disposed to the N. E. Cuprocephalus. The head is
generally broad, triangular, and covered with small scales
rather oftener than with shields; body short, rather thick in
some varieties; in others long, slim, and of graceful propor-
tions. A deep pit in the loreal region, which characterizes
the Crotalidæ, is here wanting. It is very difficult to say,
positively, which of the vipers has the most deadly poison,

VIPERIDA.
89
.
for, in other places, reference is made to cases where one and
the other species have killed men in from three to five minutes,
which facts rank them in deadliness beside the dreaded Naja
tripudians; but these cases must be judged in the light of the
fact that, when introduced into one of the great arteries, or
rather, veins, any poison (having its deadly principle fully
developed) kills with great quickness, hardly giving time to
apply or administer any remedy with a hope of saving life.
The following are the species, &c., of this genus, viz. :
No.
Varieties.
1. Vipera Daboia Russellii (Günth.), . . 1. India.
Carinata (Günth.), ſ 2. India and S. America.
2. Vipera Echis, Striata (nobis), 9 4. South America.
Variegata,
3.
Inornata,
1.
Arietans,
1.
3. Vipera Echidna,
4
Atropos,
1.
Atropoides,
1.
Porphyriacus, 1. Australia.
Australis,
1.
4. Vipera Pseudechis, Scutellatus,
6 1.
Carinata,
1. South America.
Major,
2.
5. Vipera Tropidechis carinata, .
1. Australia.
6. Vipera Dendraspis angusticeps (Wood).
7. Vipera Actractaspis irregularis
South Africa.
8. Vipera heterodon, { Platyrhinus
,
2. North America.
3 {
1.
9. Vipera achetulla laiocercus (Borneo), . . 1.
or Abætulla.
10. Vipera bucephalus capensis (Boomschlange) 1. South Africa.
Bufocephalus, 1. South America.
Trigonocephalus, 1.
Niger,
1.
11. Vipera Lachesis, Acuaticus, 7 1.
Variegata,
1.
Dryiophis,
1.
Os flavus,
1.
66
8.

90
OPHIDIANS.
12. Vipera Calamaris, {
2 {
14. Vipera brachysoma, {
{
.
Krefftii,
(
No.
Varieties.
Venenosus,
1. South America.
2
Ven. rubrum, 1. 16
13. Vipera Acuaticus colubriformis carinata.
Diadema,
1. Australia.
2
Triste,
1.
15. Vipera hoplocephalus,
18.
16. Vipera petrodymon cucultatum,
. 1.
1.
Fordii,
17. Vipera Cachophis,
1.
4
Harrietta,
1.
Blackmanii,
1.
18. Vipera Clotho,
1. South Africa.
Arietans,
2
Cornuta,
1.
19. Vipera Cerastes caudalis, .
1.
20. Vipera Cenchris piscivorus,
1. United States of Am.
21. Vipera Aspis (Aspor chersea),
1. Europe.
22. Vipera pelias berus (Wood),
23. Vipera acanthophis antarctica (Wood), . 1. Australia.
24. Vipera lapophrys,
1.
25. Vipera ammodytes (Sandnatter),
1. India.
{
{
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Total,
63 varieties.
66
First Species—VIPERA DABOIA RUSSELLII; the only va-
riety known, called Tic-polonga (Davy).
Daboia Russellii, or Tic-polonga, Günther.
Coluber Russellii, Shaw.
Vipera elegans, Daud.
daboia,
Daboia elegans, Gray.
pulchella,
Russellii,
Abdominal scuta 163 to 170, subcaudal squamæ 45 to 60 = 208 to 230.
Length from 3/4'' to 4/ 211.
This is also called Uloo Bora, Jesser, Siah Chunder, Amai-
ter, and known to Europeans in India as Cobra Monil. It
is described by Russell as the Katuka Rekula Poda.
=

VIPERA DA BOIA RUSSELLII.
91
Dr. Fayrer kept one in a box for a year without food or
water. Dr. Russell's description is as follows:
Abdominal scuta 168, subcaudal squamæ 59=227. Length 4! 211.
Tail tapers to a point. Head much broader than neck, gibbous or swell-
ing behind, depressed above, compressed at sides, and narrowing from
the eyes terminates in an obtuse rostrum faced with a pyramidal emar-
ginate rostral; the labial and subjugular squama are large and smooth,
but the rest of the head is covered with small, ovate, highly carinated
scales without any shields. Mouth very large; jaws of nearly an equal
length; anterior teeth in lower jaw are long, slender, and very nearly
upright, the others shorter, few, reflex; a maxillary and palatal series of
teeth in upper jaw; fangs longer and stouter than those of any of the
Cobras. Eyes large, placed high up, and not prominent. Trunk round,
thick, and beautifully marked, covered with oblong, oval, carinated
scales excepting those adjacent to the scuta, which are smooth, broad,
ovate, larger, and not carinated. Color of head and trunk a yellowish-
brown; the back marked with twenty-two or more large, oblong, oval
spots, brown in the middle, borders black, and edged with white; some
of these spots are separated, but most of them are joined by a narrow
neck, or run waving into each other; small black dots, single or two or
three together, are sometimes interspersed ; a second row of spots adorns
the sides similar in color to the first, but smaller and more orbicular in
form, each of those on the trunk having a short stem tending obliquely
toward the abdomen, and made up of smooth black scales; in the inter-
stices angular black spots are disposed along the verge of the scuta; all
these spots become more and more obscure as they approach the tail.
The scuta are white, glossy, with a membranous striated margin, and
many of them are marked with one or two dusky semicircular spots
hardly visible near the tail. The subcaudal squamæ are a dusky yellow,
but not spotted.
OBSERVATIONS.
The color varies in different individuals, fading perceptibly
while in captivity. The number of scuta varies inconsidera-
bly in the different varieties.
This is a rarer species than the Cobra, and much less known.

92
OPHIDIANS.
Second Species—VIPERA ECHIS, has the following varieties :
No. 1. Carinata.
2. Striata.
3. Variegata.
Vipera Echis Carinata.—The only species known in India.
Pseudoboa Carinata, Schneider, Echis Carinata, Merr., tent.
Called Afaë in Delhi, also Horatta Pam, Russell. In Sind it
is called Kuppur, where it is said to be the most deadly va-
riety found.
Other varieties are found in South America; they seldom
exceed 24" in length, but are generally from 17" to 20''. It
is viviparous, very fierce and aggressive, always ready to at-
tack; springs three or four yards to bite; has long fangs.
Head covered with keeled scales; a pair of very small frontals behind
the rostral; nostrils small, round, in a large nasal, subdivided behind
the nostrils; sides of the head covered with keeled scales, two series of
which are between the eye and the low upper labials. Scales much im-
bricated, in from 25 to 29 rows, strongly keeled, and those in the lateral
series have their tips directed obliquely downwards. Scuta brown or
brownish-gray, with a series of subquadrangular or ovate spots, whitish,
edged with blackish-brown; a subsemicircular whitish band on each side
of each of the dorsal spots, inclosing a round dark brown lateral spot;
a pair of oblong brown black-edged spots on the crown of the head con-
verge forward; a brown spot below, and an oblique broad streak behind
the eye. Belly whitish, and more or less numerous round brown specks.
Abdominal scuta 149 to 151, subcaudal squamæ 21 to 26.
No. 2. Vipera Echis Striata (has two sub-varieties) is a
South American variety, and only differs from the preceding
in the colors of the skin, it being marked by longitudinal
streaks of darker and lighter color from neck to tail. It has
no fangs.
Body not thick; length from 25 to 75 centimetres. Dorsum covered
with 26 to 30 rows of semi-oval lanceolate scales.
It coils itself up in the shape of a figure 8 when preparing

VIPERA ECHIS.
93
to bite. Its movements are exceedingly quick. For effects
of the poison, see page 89. .
No. 3. Vipera Echis Variegata, another South American
variety, only differs from the preceding in the variegations of
its skin, which are marked by black lozenge-shaped maculæ
upon a lead-colored ground, extending down the centre of
dorsum from neck to tail,
Fourth Species—VIPERA PSEUDECHIS MAJOR, is very abun-
dant in the highlands.
Length from 75 to 200 centimetres. Body 3 to 5 centimetres thick.
Throat and tail long, latter slender; dorsum greenish-brown, marked
with maculæ not of a uniform size, and of irregular shape, covered
with 26 to 40 rows of semi-oval lanceolate scales. Belly light lead color.
The species which are found at a height of from 500 to
1500 metres above the level of the sea are the most venomous;
those occurring higher up being provided with a much less
active poison. Its Spanish names are Taya, Taya-Equis,
Taya-Rabona.
Seventh Species, VIPERA ACTRACTASPIS IRREGULARIS, has
the fangs so long that they almost touch the angle of the
mouth.
Eleventh Species, VIPERA LACHESIS BUFOCEPHALUS, called
Frog-headed Mapana, or Cabeza de Sapo.
Length from 3 to 6 feet; head wider than the thickest part of the body,
triangular shaped ; the sides of the mouth are covered with 8 large
irregular-shaped scales on each side of the upper jaw; the upper ante-
rior edge of the head, from one eye to the other, has its periphery
marked by a series of scales folded over each other, forming a sort of
ridge, which lies in the same plane as the top of the head, which is per-
fectly level, and covered with exceedingly minute, imbricated scales,
that increase in size towards the neck, and are of a greenish dirty-brown
color, like the back of a frog; hence its name. Belly of a light lead-
color; its back is marked with a row of rhomboidal maculæ of a dark

94
OPHIDIANS.
bistre color upon a lighter background, and covered with small round
spots.
It has long, stout fangs; it is viviparous. One, which was
kept in a small box for a long time in South America, gave
birth to 20 snakelets. It is exceedingly abundant in the
valley of the River Magdalena.
VIPERA LACHESIS.
Second Variety, VIPERA LACHESIS TRIGONOCEPHALUS.
This variety is not known to have been found anywhere
except in Dutch Guiana, where it is called Curucucu, and in
British Guiana, Conanaconchi or Bushmaster. Its length
varies from 3 to 14 feet; it is supposed to be the largest
poisonous snake known; this is the original Trigonocephalus
of Dr. Hering; the poison of which is used so frequently in
homoeopathic practice as a medicinal agent.
The following description is that of a specimen in the pos-
session of Dr. Boericke of Philadelphia.
Length 7' 71; abdominal scuta 228 entire, subcaudal squamæ 37
pairs (making 265); body covered with 26 rows of scales, the central
row over the axis of the dorsum most highly carinated, each successive
row being less so down towards the sides ; scales diminish slightly in
size toward the neck, gradually and much more so towards the tail, on
the point of which they are very small; tip of tail 1}' in length, and
terminates in a sharp, horny point, '! in length ; head considerably
depressed at the eyes, but rises towards the rostrum, the extreme point
of which is as high as the occiput; head covered with very small scales,
gradually increasing in size towards the neck; rostrum covered by one
large triangular shield; upper periphery of the mouth is sheathed by
8 shields, precisely the same as those described in the Vipera lachesis
bufocephalus; the largest shield is between the eye and the nostril ;
nostrils gaping, slightly turned backwards, infundibuliform; body marked
with a zigzag line of semi-rhomboidal maculæ, having the angles on
one side opposite the points on the other; the rhomboidal maculæ
are broken in several places along the line of the dorsum; the maculæ

VIPERA LACHESIS.
95
and upper surface of the tail are of a uniform color of very dark bistre,
approaching to black; scales on the back are shaded with the same dark
color on the front side, and of a dirty, yellowish-light brown color on
the back side; belly of a murky-yellowish white in the centre, tinged
with a lead-colored shade on the sides; under side of the jaws, throat,
and neck, covered with medium-sized scales, regularly disposed in diago-
nal rows.
The lowest angles of the rhomboidal maculæ (which approach the
nearest to the sides of the scuta), terminate abruptly, without com-
pleting the angle, thus leaving a break in the mark or rhomboid ;
this is inclosed by a small semi-rhomboid, the angle of which terminates
just above the upper edges of the scuta; the periphery of these smaller
maculæ is somewhat indistinct in places. It has long, stout fangs, and
the disposition of the buccal parts is identical with that of the Crotalus
fasciatus. See page 81.
a
No. 3. Vipera Lachesis Niger, called Mapana fina, and
when an individual of this variety has the tip of the tail
terminating in a horny point, it is called Mapana de Puya
(pua).
Length from 3' 6" to 4' 6''; diameter always proportionate to its
length; head hastate, triangular, black on its upper surface, greenish-
white on its periphery and under the throat; dorsum blackish, marked
in angular, irregular-shaped lines, and maculæ on a lighter background,
which shades down gradually into a greenish-white on the belly; trunk
tapers gradually towards the tail, and also towards the neck, which is
very long and rather slender.
It has fangs that are long and slim. Its movements are ex-
ceedingly graceful and rapid ; possibly, there is not another
snake known in the world which is more aggressive or quicker
to bite, or in its movements.
The female when it has just given birth to its brood, if at-
tacked or threatened, receives into its mouth the snakelets,
which come out from their hiding-place again as soon as the
danger has passed. This same fact is mentioned by several
.
naturalists as having been observed in other varieties.

96
OPHIDIANS.
No. 4, Vipera Lachesis Acuaticus, and No. 5, Vipera La-
chesis Variegata, abound in marshes and lagoons; the former
coils itself in the branches of the trees at the edge of a river
or brook, during the hours of extreme heat, and lets itself
drop down into or upon a passing canoe or boat, much to the
consternation of the “bogas.” Their poison is not so deadly
as that of the Bufocephalus.
No. 6. Vipera Lachesis Dryiophis, is marked like both No.
4 and No. 5, but it is always coiled upon the trees at the edge
of the water and only lets itself drop when disturbed or
molested.
No. 7. Vipera Lachesis os Flavus, Boguidorada or Gilded
mouth. This is a common species in the valley of the Mag-
dalena and Valle Dupar region; it also occurs in Venezuela.
In size, and the maculæ on its dorsum, it bears close resem-
blance (in fact in many individuals is identical), with the
Bufocephalus, but the throat and body are rather more slender
and of a more graceful shape. The sides above the edges of
the scuta are of a lighter color, and the edges of the mouth
and throat are of a golden-yellow hue, hence its name. Its
poison is very deadly and its bite much feared, as the Curers
consider a cure of it a great test of their powers and proof of
the efficacy of their secrets. They lose, however, many cases,
but save their reputation by attributing the unfortunate ter-
mination of the case to a tithe (every tenth case) due to “La
Suerte,” their god of Chance, whose assistance they invoke
upon undertaking to perform every case of cure.
No. 12. Vipera Calamaris Venenosus, occurs at an altitude
of 300 metres and upwards above the level of the sea. It
is never found in the lower parts of the great rivers.
Length from 15 to 40 centimetres; body of nearly a uniform thickness ;
tail short and more highly prehensile than that of any other variety

VIPERA LACHESIS.
97
a
with ease.
known; dorsum covered with 18 to 20 rows of semiovate, lanceolate
scales; mouth and head disproportionately large and broad; it is provided
;
with two very large, stout fangs; disposition of buccal parts same as those
of Crotalis fasciatus. Color (in the male) dark brown on the back; top
of head of a darker shade; belly of a creamy white tinted with a roseate
hue on the sides, and of a darker hue on the subcaudal part. The female
is a little larger, longer and thicker than the male, and has its dorsum
marked with nine longitudinal stripes (one dark and the adjacent ones of
a lighter shade), running from the neck to the anal region.
It winds its tail around any small object close to the ground,
and will spring to a distance of two and a half or three yards
A peculiarity of its bite is that the wounds made
by the fangs are almost always diagonal to the axis of the
bitten limb. This fact makes its bite easily recognized by the
Curers. The popular belief in Northern South America is
that its poison kills before twenty-four hours have expired
after its injection, hence one of its Spanish names, Veinticuatro
(twenty-four), or Patoquilla.
A second variety is Vipera Calam. Venen. Rubrum, called
Candelilla or Flame snake, from its color. It is found in the
States of Antioquia, Boyaca, Bolivar, and Magdalena (United
States of Colombia).
Length from 25 to 40 centimetres; diameter 1 to 2 centimetres; body
of nearly a uniform thickness, covered with very minute lanceolate
scales ; color of head and body a fire-yellow, of a darker shade on the
head and dorsum, and of a reddish-white on the belly; buccal parts iden-
tical with those of the E. Cuprocephalus.
Nos. 14, 15, 16, and 17, are Australian species, of which no
description is given.
No. 18 is the Puff Adder of Africa, which when provoked
swells or puffs itself out like a frog. The Hottentots are said
a
to kill this snake by spitting tobacco-juice in its mouth.
a
9

98
OPHIDIANS.
A second variety of No. 18 is Vipera Clotho. cornuta, Das
Adder or the River Jack, sometimes taken for the Cerastes.
It is also called the Plumed Viper or Hornsman.
No. 19. Vipera Cerastes Caudalis, the Cerastes or Horned
Viper, is one of the most vicious-looking reptiles in existence.
Its general color is that of a frog, variegated with irregular-shaped
bistre-colored maculæ and spots on its dorsum ; length from two to three
feet; trunk very thick and slightly carinated; head cordate, and the ros-
trum is provided with two short, upright, tentacula-like appendages
called horns.
No. 20. Vipera Cench. Piscivorus, is also called Cotton-
mouth or Water Moccasin. This snake's poison sometimes
produces death and at other times it does not, consequently it
is little feared.
No. 23. Vipera
Vipera Acanthophis Antarctica, is also called
Death Adder or Death Viper, in Australia.
Other snakes occur which are known to belong to the genus
Viperide, but those given are the only varieties yet classified,
making a total of 25 species, composed of 69 varieties, &c.
The Amphisboence of Buffon's classification has been ex-
cluded from the family of Ophidians by later naturalists, as
belonging more properly to that of the Earth-worms, but
some of the species of this genus are found in South America,
particularly in the forests of the great Atrato Valley and of
the Isthmus of Darien, that are known to be exceedingly
venomous.
One variety, occurring also in Brazil, is the Amphisboence
Vermicularis (Wagler, Mure), signifying worm snake, that
moves with equal facility forward or backward," is called
Tatacoa, Culebra ciega, Tatacua, Sin ojos, Culebra de dos
Cabezas, Culebra gusano. The variety described by Dr. Mure
.
is, viz. :

VIPERA LACHESIS.
99
Length 50 to 80 centimetres; tail obtuse ; body of nearly a uniform
thickness, variegated by small square maculæ, divided from each other
by entire, narrow rings, which embrace the whole body; head small,
slightly compressed ; eyes hardly discernible; teeth stout in proportion to
its size, slightly curved backwards; belly whitish with a roseate shade at
the sides ; sides and dorsum marked indiscriminately with small dark
spots; color light lead, maculæ and rings a dark brown or nearly black.
In the district of Guamocó (United States of Colombia), in
the State of Antioquia, a snake abounds which varies in
length from four to ten feet, called Birri. It has large fangs,
is slow in its movements, like the Crotalus horridus, and its
skin is variegated somewhat similar to the Lachesis bufo-
cephalus.
Never having been able to visit that district, I solicited a
celebrated Curer to bring me a specimen alive, but never was
able to procure one.
Its poison is exceedingly deadly, and so peculiar in its
action, that shortly after injection into the blood, large masses
of flesh rot and drop off, and this continues till the bone is
laid completely bare and a large vein is reached, when death
ensues immediately. This fact originates the name of Podre-
dora, or Rotter, it has in some places.
I only knew of one case of its bite in which death did not
ensue, but the flesh had sloughed away up to the knee, leaving
the upper surface of the foot and lower leg nearly bare, and
one entire ulcer, which healed in about thirty days by taking
a tablespoonful of Bilis. Acrochordon Chocoe (ten drops in
ten ounces aq. dest.) daily.
All cases of its bites in Guamoco are now (1873) cured by
a preparation of its gall. As yet no case has been known to
terminate fatally since this remedy has been used in this dis-
trict, where its use was introduced under my directions by a
miner in the year 1865.

100
OPHIDIANS.
Where references have been made to some of the physical
peculiarities of different varieties, the following remarks are
intended to apply in a general sense.
Snakes in captivity
are less venomous than in a state of nature. The Crotalus
in tropical forests emits so strong a smell of musk as to
impregnate the surrounding atmosphere with it, as though
to warn one of its proximity; this fact has misled many ob-
servers.
a
When a snake in the forest loses a fang, or both of them,
twenty-four hours is sufficiently long for the new fangs to
come forward and fix themselves firmly to the superior maxil-
lary bone; as I have observed in four or five cases in South
America, where I have tempted them to seize small pigeons
and lizards; would allow them to get a firm hold, and then
tear the prey from their grasp with violence, wrenching off
one or both fangs; after allowing twenty-four hours to elapse
thereafter, I have caught the snake in his hole, and invariably
found the new fangs firmly anchylosed to their maxillaries.
The most intelligent Curers all entertain the belief that in
the tropics no more than twenty-four, or at most forty-eight
hours in some cases, are necessary for a fallen or broken fang
to be replaced by a new one.
The following varieties are not placed in any of the pre-
ceding tables, as their classification is not known.
a
Found in South Africa.
Coristodon concolor.
Homalosma arctiventris.
Cyrtophis scutatus.
| Rufulus.
Aurora.
.
Monopeltis capensis.
Elapomorphus capensis. Onychocephalus Delalandii, 6
Heterolepis capensis.
sub-varieties.
Lamprophis, {
Dasypeltis, { Seornatus,

VIPERIDÆ.
101
Trimerorhinus rhombeatus.
Sepedon rhombeatus.
Temnorhynchus Sundewallii.
Telescopus semiannulatus.
Thelotornis capensis.
Varieties classified, 37
not
21=58
66
Found in Australia.
Acanthophis antarctica.
Signatus.
Krefftii.
Temporalis.
Fordii.
Cachophis,
Ramsayii.
Harrietta.
Minor.
(4)
Blackmanii.
Hoplocephalus, Nigriceps.
Denisonia ornata.
(18)
Nigrescens.
Curtus.
Nigrostria-
Superbus.
tus.
Ater.
Maculatus.
Variegatus. Petrodymon cucultatum.
Stephensii.
.
Hoplocephalus,
Pallidiceps.
.
(18)
Gouldii.
Spectabilis.
Varieties classified, 47
Coronoides.
not
27-74
Mastersii.
Vermicella
, { Lunulata
66
66

102
OPHIDIANS
TABLE OF THE DIFFERENT SNAKES FOUND IN THE
UNITED STATES OF COLOMBIA,
Noted under the Names by which they are commonly known.*
STATE OF ANTIOQUIA.
Taya-équis (nobis). S Of these two varie-
Birri,
ties, the second is
possibly the most deadly.
Torcoral, or Corcora. A semi-ophidian,
half snake and half lizard, having a
crest upon its dorsum, and four short
legs like the Guatáca.
Equis (four or five varieties), (nobis).
Cascabel (Crot. fasciatus), (nobis).
Candelilla (nobis).
Venomous. Vibora
sundry varieties.
Coral
Lomo de machete (nobis).
Ciega, Tatacóa (amphisb. verm.), (nobis).
Rabo-ají (mapana), (nobis).
Arará.
Voladom.
Yerga.
Taya (nobis).
Yaruma (this is probably the “Birri.” See
page 103).
* Many of these names are taken from the geography of the United
States of Colombia. Bogota, 1862, 2 vols.

IN COLOMBIA.
103
Reina.
Coclí.
Pitora.
Paloma.
Non-Venomous. Guarda-camino.
Viní.
Boa C. (sundry varieties).
Boba (Python), (nobis).
Verde (nobis).
Besides these there are many varieties in the woods and
virgin forests of the State, which are unknown.
STATE OF BOLIVAR (nobis).
Birri (only found in the District of Gu-
amocó).
Mapana (all the varieties).
Cascabel.
Patoquilla, or Veinticuatro.
Venomous.
Lomo de machete.
Torcoral.
Candelilla.
Vibora (sundry varieties).
Toche (lives on dry land).
Toche (aquatic variety).
Cazadora (ambiguous; some venomous,
others innocuous), (some individuals
oceur three metres long).
Non-Venomous.
Guata.
Bejuco.
Воа.
Verde.

104
OPHIDIANS
-
Venomous.
60
66
a
STATE OF BOYACA.
Taya (nobis).
Cascabel.
Coral (one variety of this is said to occur
called “the two-headed”).
Taya-équis (nobis).
Equis
Tatacoa
Sapa
Tigre
Mamadora (nobis). A snake often found
sucking milch cows; and cases have
been known where a woman has been
asleep, with a child nursing at one
breast and a snake sucking the other!
Verde.
Galana.
Bujio, or Buio.
Paja.
Bejuco.
Boa (four varieties).
Traga-venados.
STATE OF CAUCA.
La Verrugosa.
Cascabel (Crot. horr.), (Crot. fasciatus).
Equis.
Coral.
Veinticuatro, or Patoquilla.
Tigre, or Mapana Tigre (Lachesis ; nobis).
Rabo de chucha. “Dry tail,” or “Yel-
Non-Venomous.
low tail."
Cachetona.
Yaruma (Birrí; nobis).
Voladora.
Venomous.

IN COLOMBIA.
105
Non-Venomous.
Sobre-cama.
Arco.
Coclí.
Bigola.
Papagayo.
Petacona, or Boa.
66
(6
66
TERRITORY OF CAQUETA.
Equis.
Coral.
Mapanare (Mapana-Lachesis; nobis).
Venomous.
Sapa
Sapo;
Tigre
Tigre;
Voladora.
Boa.
Traga-venado.
Non-Venomous. La Matiguaja.
Loro Estrella.
Las-pacas.
STATE OF CUNDINAMARCA.
Equis (sundry varieties, Taya-équis).
Coral.
Mola.
Teti, or Tití.
Venomous.
Víbora (sundry varieties).
Tatacóa, or “two heads” (Amphisb. ver-
micularis).
Mapanare.
Labrancera.
Candelilla (nobis).
Toche
66

106
OPHIDIANS
Non-Venomous.
Mamadora (nobis), (the "Sucking Snake.”)
Rayona.
Sabanera.
Verde.
Petaca.
Traga-venado (Boa C.). These last two
are found in the great plains of San
Martin.
Cazadora.
Tiro.
Negro.
Dormilona, or Boba.
STATE OF MAGDALENA.
Venomous.
Cascabel.
Taya.
Coral.
Guata.
Mapana (sundry varieties; nobis).
Boba.
Boa C.
Non-Venomous.
{
Venomous.
STATE OF PANAMA.
Verrugosa (Acrochordon Chocoe; nobis).
Equis.
Víbora (sundry varieties).
Coral (Elaps Corallinus; Mure).
Sin ojos (Amphisb. vermicularis; Wagl.).
Cazadora (Coluber; nobis).
Bejuco (six varieties).
Boba.
Boa, or Petaca (Boa C.; Cuvier).
Non-Venomous.

IN COLOMBIA.
107
STATE OF SANTANDER.
Cascabel.
Taya.
Coral.
Mapanare (Mapana, Lachesis).
Venomous.
Non-Venomous.
Huertera.
Voladora.
Cazadora.
Guata.
STATE OF TOLIMA.
Venomous.
Taya.
Taya-équis.
Equis.
Cascabel.
Coral.
Taya-rabona.
Vibora (sundry varieties).
Mapanare (Mapana).
Dormilona (Boba; nobis).
Sabanera.
Tiro.
Verde.
Negra.
Toche de tierra fria (highland or lowland
varieties).
Rayona.
Non-Venomous
(Doubtful).
Many varieties, and even species, undoubtedly exist in the
virgin forests of Colombia, which are as yet not known to the

108
OPHIDIANS.
Curers; and it is an undoubted fact, that on the Great Plains
of Casanare and Saint Martin, so many species and varieties
do exist that it is probable that the preceding tabular list
embraces only about one-third of the existing number. Such
individuals as have been seen on the Great Plains seem to
possess every possible variegation of marks, "maculæ, and
colors in the skin; and it is easy to trace every step in a pro-
gressive development through individuals which have no
traces of limbs up to the Torcoral, which bears strongly
marked characteristics of the Ophidian on the one side, and
of the Guataca (the lowest species in the Saurian family)
on the other, thus affording an argument in support of the
Darwinian theory of progression of species.
Toxical effects of the Elaps Corrall. poison are less violent
than those of the Crotalus or E. Cuprocephalus, but are none
the less worthy of study, as its action is very marked on par-
ticular organs and viscera. The respiratory organs, those of
.
deglutition and the brain, are first affected. Sudden and
excruciating pains present themselves in a particular organ or
viscera, or muscles, are felt for a short time, and as suddenly
cease, to reappear in some other organ or part. A flow of
venous blood,* in coagula, presents itself from the mouth,
eyes, ears, urethra, and from the wound or bite; pains in the
abdomen ensue; there is extreme sensibility to the touch in
;
the whole body; an almost total extinction of the pulse; colic,
diarrhoea; tremors in the muscles; excessive thirst and subse-
quent oedema in the bitten part, succeeded by vomiting and
fainting fits. Death does not always ensue, and this poison
is undoubtedly less virulent that that of Crotalus.
a
* The mixture of poison with the blood causes the latter to change its
color to a very dark purple-red, in all cases of poisoning by that of the
Crotalus type.

VIPERA LACHESIS BUFOCEPHALUS.
109
The following formula expresses at a glance its entire
action :*
Inta Jt- Jūr
09 Y"
1-3
812
1-6
RSP Gº E AⓇ
入
​Gʻ E A (ZXL)*+^ QT MO
Q7
1-3
1-3
1-5
1—6
3-6
It reads thus,—Numerator : The intellectual faculties are
clouded by illusions, accompanied by eruptions on the skin
and a feeling of insensibility to the touch in certain parts.
The preceding symptoms developed throughout the entire
proving. Functions of the nervous system are excited, sensa-
tion in some increased, and afterwards diminished.
Sense of hearing much diminished from first to third day;
clearness of vision diminished from first to sixth day.
Denominator : Respiratory apparatus very strongly affected
from first to third day; feeling of insensibility in penis, first
to third day; difficult deglutition, first to fifth day; digestive
functions deranged, first to sixth day; abdominal regions
strongly affected, first to sixth day; organs of the throat and
abdomen, and the entire trunk, affected during the whole
proving, particularly insensibility of the organs of the trunk;
eruptions in the cutaneous tissue from first to sixth day;
matrix notably affected from third to sixth day.
The fraction expressed in signs at the left hand means :
Development or manifestation of the principal symptoms on
the right side of the body during the entire proving.
Toxical effects of the poison of the Vipera lachesis bufo-
cephalus are: Convulsions; great pain in the bitten limb;
intensely feverish pulse; intense thirst; flow of a dark blood,
* From Mure's Pathogenesie Brésillienne.

110
OPHIDIANS.
semi-coagulated, from the nose, ears, and rectum ; veins of
the conjunctiva are surcharged, so that the eyes have the
color of raw beef; tremulousness and subsultus tendinum ;
discoloration of the bitten part; the blood is coagulated near
the wound, and will only flow from it after deep incisions
have been made just at or above the wound made by the
fangs, and the limb has been bathed repeatedly in hot water,
rubbing it down towards the bitten part so as to force out the
coagulated blood. This poison causes death in from three
hours to three days, according to the "condition of virulence"
of the poison.
The Boqui Dorada, Yellow-mouthed Viper, or Vipera
lachesis os flavus, is possessed of a very virulent poison, which
causes as many deaths as that of any other variety in the val-
leys of the River Magdalena and its tributaries. Toxical
effects are: Flow of blood from the nose and mouth ; evacua-
tions of fæcal matter, with clots of dark-colored blood, or
scanty, suppressed evacuations; heaviness of the head; stu-
por; sensation of oppression in the chest and lungs; repeated
blows upon the tympanum (like those made by a hammer);
vertigo; loss of sight; intense pains in the spinal column and
the shoulder-blades ; cramps; colicky pains in the abdomen ;
throbbing pains in the bitten part, increasing with the oedema;
discharge of bloody urine; pulse has a slow, heavy beat;
rheumatic pains in the muscles in twinges ; blue-black spots
under the nails of the fingers and toes; lips discolored; eyes
bloodshot; chills, followed by tremors in the whole body,
while the skin is flushed and indicates a highly feverish con-
dition ; flow of a greenish, sanguinolent foam from the mouth.
This latter symptom invariably precedes death, and continues
for some hours after it has ensued. Death ensues in from
three hours to three days.

VIPERA LACHESIS.
111
The poison of Vipera lachesis niger always produces a
shock, which throws down the person bitten with great vio-
lence; an immediate and violent flow of blood ensues from
eyes, mouth, nostrils, urinary canal, and from under the nails
of the fingers and toes; veins of the conjunctiva are intensely
injected; suspension of the urine ensues, followed by violent
fugitive pains in the bitten limb, and intense cephalalgia.
Death ensues in from one to twelve hours. A Curer informed
me that he had known persons bitten by this snake to die in
five minutes; but the only case to which I can attest is that
of a dog, bitten by one of these snakes, that died in less than
twenty minutes.
The poison of the Vipera Calamaris venenosus develops the
following toxical symptoms, viz.: Flow of blood from mouth,
nose, and ears; suspension of urine; subsultus tendinum;
pains in the renal region; and lastly, ungovernable madness.
This last symptom is developed in almost every case where
the poison is active.
The toxical effects of the poison of the Vipera pseudechis
major are: Atrocious pains in the entire body; flow of blood
from mouth, nose, and ears; scanty or suppressed urine; con-
stipation; rheumatic pains, which recur for months and even
years, in cases where the bitten persons recover.
,
The poison of the Vipera echis striata, when it does not
cause death, is said to develop pains of a rheumatic nature,
which increase and diminish according to the age of the
If this symptom is constant, it is common with a
similar one developed by the Crotalus horridus poison referred
to on pages 120–121.
The toxical effects of the poison of the Vipera Calamaris
venenosus rubrum are as follows, viz.: One or two hours after
moon.

112
OPHIDIANS.
its injection, the surface of the bitten limb is covered with a
great number of small red vesicles; when these attain the
size of a grain of pearl barley, they burst, and discharge a
corrosive, yellowish, ichorous liquid, accompanied by a burn-
ing, itchy sensation, and followed by oedema of the limb;
acute pains extend up the limb; excessive thirst; inflamma-
tion of the conjunctiva; pulse 140 to 160; dislacerating pains
in the head; the pustules increase hourly in size till they at-
tain an inch or more in diameter; and if the bitten person
does not die, these are so many wellnigh incurable ulcers.
I have cured two cases of these ulcers : one with the gall
of the centipede, and the other with gall of the Acrochordon
chocoe, whose poison produces a similar eruption and ulcers.
The Curers say that this snake possesses phosphoric prop-
erties in its skin, which make it visible in the dark; hence
its name Candelilla, which means literally, "an insignificant
little light.”
Toxical Effects of the Poison of the Crotalus Cascabella of
Brazil.
The wound was inflicted in one of the fingers of a man's
hand. The snake measured two and a half metres in length.
Symptom No. 1. Swelling of the hand, and drops of blood
escape from the wound.
Pain in the palm of the hand, which extends up to the
wrist.
At the expiration of one hour from the injection of the poison,
the hand is exceedingly swollen, accompanied by a sensation
of cold, which is also felt in the lower extremities.
Pulse strong; increases at intervals from 110 to 140 per
minute.

EFFECTS OF POISON OF CROTALUS CASCABELLA. 113
a
No. 5. Sensation of plenitude in the jugular veins, which
is soon felt in the sides of the throat and
nape
of
the neck.
Feels a blur before his
eyes.
A crawling sensation in the face.
Expiration of 1 hour and 30 minutes. Pain and
cedema extend from the hand nearly up to the elbow.
The whole body seems to fill itself up
No. 10. Expiration of 1 h. 20 m. Visible tremors in whole
body.
Unpleasant sensation in the head.
Pulse accelerated.
Feels it difficult to move the lips.
Inclination to sleep.
No. 15. Sensation of constriction in the throat.
Swelling of the hand continues.
The entire arm is swollen and very painful.
Expiration of 1 h. 38 m. He feels cold, and desires
to cover himself.
Expiration of 1 h. 48 m. Feels a pain in the oesoph-
agus, which extends to the stomach and ab-
domen.
No. 20. Sensation of cold in the feet.
Expiration of 2 h. 5m. Feels it difficult to speak.
Expiration of 2 h. 25 m. Swallows with difficulty.
Anxiety.
Copious perspiration in the chest.
No. 25. Expiration of 2 h. 50 m. Swelling of the arms;
slight epistaxis.
Inquietude and anxiety increases.
Pulse 96.
Expiration of 3 h. 4 m. General perspiration.
Involuntary groans and moaning.
a
10

114
OPHIDIANS.
a
No. 30. Feels exceedingly downcast.
Pulse 100.
Expiration of 3 h. 15 m. Pains in the arms; inquie-
tude.
Expiration of 3 h. 30 m. Pulse 98.
Face much flushed.
No. 35. Flow of blood from the nose.
The whole body is flushed and red.
The blood starts from a pustule in the armpit.
Expiration of 4 h. Body a much darker red.
Unbearable pains in the thorax; patient excessively
prostrated,
No. 40. Constriction in the throat; respiration difficult.
Expiration of 4 h. 30 m. Pulse 104; great pain in
the surface of the whole body.
Salivation.
Expiration of 5 h. 30 m. Pulse 104.
Has a feeling of stupidity.
No. 45. Abundant discharges of urine.
Saliva thick, dark-colored, viscous; spits with diffi-
culty.
Muscular prostration.
The pains cause frequent groans.
Respiration easy.
No. 50. The skin is moist.
Expiration of 7 h. Somnolency and groans.
Pains in the breast and arms cease.
Sensation as if a knot in the throat.
Copious urinary discharges.
No. 55. Deglutition difficult.
Saliva whitish, viscous.
Flow of sanguinolent serosity from the nostrils.
Expiration of 9 h. 15 m. Profound sleep.

EFFECTS OF SERPENT POISON. .
115
The preceding table indicates that the person bitten was of
a strong physique, and the venom did not have its deadly
principle fully developed. In extreme cases, death ensues in
from one to four hours—sometimes sooner.
Immediately after the injection of the poison, there is a
sudden increase in the rapidity of the circulation of the blood;
sharp pains in the chest, throat, and limbs; much oedema of
the part bitten ; sensations of flushes of heat in whole body,
followed by ice-cold chills; abundant epistaxis; discolora-
tion of the finger and toe-nails, and flow of blood from under
them ; blood flows from the gums, roof of the mouth, and
from the urinary canal; the pulse rises suddenly to 110 or
160, and as suddenly lowers to 75 or 80, to rise again to
100 or 105; surface of the skin becomes red; soon after it
changes to a purple hue; oppression in the chest is felt;
great muscular debility ensues, which is superseded by a
state of coma; patient rouses slightly, complains of inability
to distinguish objects around him; relapses into the comatose
condition ; a bloody or dark-colored or greenish froth is
noticed on the lips, and death ensues immediately thereafter.
Dr. Weir Mitchell's* conclusions as to the great similarity
between the action of one serpent's venom and that of another
of a different genus, are quite contrary to the experience of
every person who has had to cure many cases of snake bite;
, in fact, that, as a general rule, an experienced
Curer will detect indications in the person bitten which
will enable him to name the kind of snake which caused the
wound,
Experiments, properly initiated and conducted, will place
this question beyond the domain of discussion, however, and
will enable us to know positively the field of action of each
so much so,
* Researches, &c., page 98.

116
OPHIDIANS.
one of the poisons, as far as possible to determine it with
the means at our disposal.
In another place I have referred to a fact which has, pos-
sibly, escaped the attention of observers hitherto; this is,
that the venom which a reptile secretes in a state of nature,
and that which it secretes in a state of captivity, possess dif-
ferent degrees of virulence and develop somewhat different
symptoms. My own observations and studies lead me to
attribute this difference to the existence of an electro-magnetic
element in all snake poisons, which is fully developed in a
state of nature at the period in which the reptile is most con-
stantly in motion, and which is at its minimum when it is in
a state of torpidity, or of little exercise, as in captivity.
This will also explain why Dr. Weir Mitchell's and others'
observations induce them to adopt the belief that the Crotalus
does not emit a strong smell of musk; while, in a state of
nature, this odor is so strong as to be exceedingly offensive.
SNAKE POISONS,
FIG. 1.
THEIR NATURE, ANALYSES OF THEM, AND SOME INTERESTING
FACTS DERIVED FROM THE STUDY OF THEIR ACTION.
Figure 1 represents the microscopical appearance of human
blood : a a a is a front view of the globules, and b b b shows
an edgewise view of them. The
white background between the
Oa
globules represents the plasma or
liquid or vehicle through which
the blood-globules are carried in
6
the circulation.
The plasma is composed of water,
containing in solution a great num-
7
ber of different substances. The
presence of albumen, fibrin, various
POLO
തായി
bo

SNAKE POISONS.
117
a
fatty substances, some of which contain sulphur and phos-
phorus, a great number of salts, such as the chlorides of
potassium and sodium, chloro-hydrate of ammonia, the sul-
phates of soda and potassa, the phosphates of soda, lime, and
magnesia, the carbonates of soda, lime, and magnesia, and of
alkaline salts, formed by fatty acids and lactic acid, has been
detected in blood. This plasma contains also several gases
in solution: oxygen, carbonic acid, and nitrogen, which are
derived from the action of the air in the lungs. It has a
peculiar mawkish taste, characteristic in some animals, and
always exerts a well-marked alkaline reaction, which appears
to be an essential part of its nature, for animal life ceases
when, by direct injections, the blood can be made acid.
In a healthy man 100 parts of blood contain on an average
79 parts of water, 1 part of mineral salts, and 19 of albumi-
nous substances, known by the name of hæmatosin, which
proportions vary greatly with the state of health. In the
blood of birds the relative quantity of water is generally some-
what smaller than in a man, while it is greater in that of the
batrachian reptiles and fishes. As much as 98 per cent. of
water has been found in the blood of a frog.
Besides the red globules, other colorless globules are seen,
the number of which vary under different physiological con-
ditions; these are more apparent in the serum when by coagu-
lation the blood has separated itself into the former, a yellow-
ish and transparent mass, and into a gelatinous mass of a deep
red color, called clot, coagulum or crassamentum. The phenom-
enon of coagulation is produced by the fibrin, which remains
in solution so long as the blood is under the influence of the
vital principle; but separates from it when it is removed from
the animal economy, carrying with it the blood-globules, in
the same way that soluble albumen, used for the clarification

118
OPHIDIANS.
of a muddy liquor, carries down the corpuscles which exist
in it as soon as it is coagulated by heat. If, instead of allow-
ing the blood to rest, it is beaten with rods, the fibrin still
coagulates, and forms whitish and elastic filaments, which
adhere to the rods, the blood-globules not being included,
because they are detached by the agitation of the fluid. De-
fibrinated blood no longer coagulates.
It is easy to demonstrate with the blood of frogs, the glob-
ules of which are too large to pass through filtering-paper,
that fibrin is really in solution in the serous liquid, and does
not constitute any part of the globules, as was long supposed.
It is sufficient to pour upon a filter, previously moistened,
the blood of a frog, at the moment of its extraction, to show
that a portion of the liquid passes through the filter before
the commencement of coagulation; and after collecting this
portion in a watch-glass the microscope will exhibit in it, after
a short time, a colorless clot, which may be made visible by
collecting it on a needle. This experiment does not succeed
in human blood, nor in that of other mammiferæ, because the
fluid is more viscid, and the globules are sufficiently small to
pass through the paper. .
Serum is a yellow, slightly viscid fluid, of a density of
1.027 to 1.029, with a slightly saline taste, and coagulates at
about 168.8°, which is a property of the albumen element.
Several saline substances prevent coagulation, for example,
sulphates of soda, the chlorides of sodium and potassium,
nitrate of potassa, borax, &c., and the proportion of these
salts must be about one-sixth of the weight of the blood.
Dilute mineral acids also prevent the coagulation of blood,
but impart to it an oily consistency. A temperature of 86°
to 104° Fahr. appears to be the most favorable for coagula-
tion, while cold retards it considerably.

NATURE AND ANALYSIS OF THE POISONS.
119
Healthy human venous blood yields :
Coagulum,
Serum,
.
13.0
87.0=100.0
Coagulum,
0.30
0.20
12.50
.
13.00
}
Fibrin,
S Hæmatosin,
Globules, 1 Albuminous matter, .
Water,
Albumen,
Fatty substances,
Various salts with mineral bases,
Serum,
79.00
7.00
0.06
0.94
100.00
Hæmatosin has not yet been extracted in a state of purity,
and has not been obtained crystallized. It forms after sepa-
ration from the other elements of the blood a blackish-red
amorphous mass, tasteless, inodorous, and insoluble, when cold,
in alcohol, water, or ether.
It dissolves readily in alcoholic solutions of potassa, soda,
and ammonia, which it colors intensely red. It contains,
more or less, 10 per cent. of sesquioxide of iron, which ap-
pears essential to the existence of the globules.
NATURE AND ANALYSIS OF THE POISONS.
a
Moquin-Tandon* says that the poison of a Crotalus is of a
greenish hue, but I have often extracted it from the South
American varieties from a greenish to a yellowish tinge; it is
neither acid † nor alkaline; is precipitated in water, in which it
preserves its viscidity for some time, but ultimately mixes with
it. When dried on a plate of glass it looks like a layer of
gum full of cracks. It is insoluble in sulphuric and hydro-
* Medical Zoology, by Moquin-Tandon.
† Dr. Mitchell's tests prove the Crotalus venom invariably acid.

120
OPHIDIANS.
a
chloric acids, which only reduce it to a liquid paste. In nitric
acid it acquires a yellowish tinge, otherwise it appears to be
affected identically with that of the two former. Vegetable
acids, alkalies, and oils do not dissolve it; when heated it
does not melt, but swells up and becomes thick; placed in
contact with flame it does not ignite. The active principle of
the European viper (Pelias Berus) poison is called Echidnine
or Viperine ;* a colorless, transparent, rather thick substance,
resembling varnish, without smell or flavor; this principle is a
neutral unstable substance representing the ptyaline of saliva.
It does not redden the tincture of turnsole nor turn the syrup
of violets green; it contains nitrogen ; dissolved in a solution
of caustic potash the hydrated binoxide of copper turns it to
a beautiful violet color. This also occurs with gelatin and
albumen. It seldom kills horses, sometimes sheep and cats.
A pigeon dies in from eight to ten minutes, a sparrow in five
minutes, and the Abbe Fontana said that it took two grains
to kill a man. The merit of Fontana's experiments may be
judged from the fact that he made six thousand, in which
four thousand animals were killed and three thousand vipers
used.
Poison of the Crotalus Horridus.
According to Mitchell the venom of the Rattlesnake is
composed of:
1st. An albuminoid body, called Crotaline, not coagulable
by heat at 212° Fahr.
2d. An albuminoid compound, coagulable at 212º.
3d. A coloring matter, and an undetermined substance;
both soluble in alcohol.
* Analysis of Viper Poison, by Prince Lucien Bonaparte, in 1846.
† Researches on the Venom of the Rattlesnake, by S. Weir Mitchell,
M.D.

NATURE AND ANALYSIS OF THE POISONS.
121
4th. A trace of fatty matter.
5th. Salts, chlorides, and phosphates.
The color of the venom varied from pale emerald green to
orange and straw color.
When the poison had remained long in the gland, it was
deeper in hue than when its ejection followed rapidly upon
its formation. In eight observations on record, the venom
reddened litmus paper more or less distinctly. It was uni-
formly acid, and this reaction was common to all species of
poison, whether moist or dry, dark-colored, or pale in tint.
The reaction of the mucous membrane of the mouth was
almost as constantly alkaline as that of the venom was acid.
It was found that litmus, reddened by the venom, became
blue again when left in the serpent's jaws; but although the
acid was neutralized, the poisonous properties of the fluid
remained unaltered.
In the numerous experiments made by Mitchell, where the
exhausted venom-gland was mixed with water, and intro-
duced into the wounds of various animals, it was ascertained
that all the pigeons, except one, escaped ; also the rabbit; all
the reed-birds died: these latter birds are remarkably sus-
ceptible to Crotalus venom, and will frequently die from a
quantity of poison so minute, that it would be hard to con-
ceive of its power to destroy life, had not the experiment been
actually made. Thus half a drop will often kill a reed-bird
in a minute or two, and one-eighth of a drop will prove fatal
after a lapse of from two to eight hours; so that it is proba-
ble that even a smaller quantity would be sufficient to destroy
life.
The secretion in the Crotalus from the gland is constantly
acid, and in the viper neutral; while the saliva of the parotid,
in all animals yet examined, is unchangeably alkaline.
a
11

122
OPHIDIANS.
Saliva is a secretion of rapid formation, and appropriated
to specific mechanical and chemical purposes within the
economy; the venom-fluid is slowly elaborated, slowly re-
produced when lost, and destined to end in the body which
produces it.
Its singular nature as a ferment, poisonous to other animals
as well as to the reptile in which it is secreted, constitutes a
distinction which forbids the physiologist to regard it as in
any true sense a salivary secretion, or its forming organ as a
salivary gland. Extensive experiments with chemical re-
agents, as well as with extremes of heat and cold, have un-
folded the singular energy of this poison, and the almost
inconceivable tenacity with which its powers are preserved.
The dried venom retained its potency after two years of
climatic changes; the fresh poison, although prone to partial
decomposition, would remain active after a sojourn of several
a
weeks in an atmosphere of 65° to 70° Fahrenheit.
Mixing the venon with water, and freezing it, and keeping
it for half an hour at 4° above zero, did not in the least
diminish its power ; nor did a temperature of 212° Fahr. de-
;
stroy its virulence.
In eight experiments Dr. Mitchell has shown that:
1. The coagulum produced by heat is always innocent.
2. The supernatant fluid is uniformly poisonous. The
cases died with the usual rapidity. A fact which leads us to
infer that the venom loses no power by being heated to a
certain degree.
The animals which perished from the injection of the boiled
venom exhibited very trifling local evidences of the action of
the poison. Dr. Mitchell is unable to offer any plausible
explanation of this curious deficiency. (Were he a believer
in the dynamic origin of disease and the action of remedies,
he would be better able to comprehend this phenomenon.)

NATURE AND ANALYSIS OF THE POISONS.
123
The mingling of the venom with alcohol, sulphuric acid,
muriatic acid, ammonia, chlorine water, iodine, soda, and
potassa, in a diluted or undiluted state, did not destroy the
virulence of the venom.
When it was mingled with certain of these agents, such as
iodine in solution, tannic acid, &c., the constitutional symptoms
declared themselves as usual in the pigeons employed; but the
local phenomena were more or less wanting.
The Crotalus venom has the
power of preventing the ger-
mination of canary and mignonette seeds.
“On several occasions,” I quote the words of Dr. Mitchell,
“I had noticed the production of fungi in moist venom, long
kept upon my table, in an atmosphere of from 64° to 70°
Fahr.” “I have also observed in specimens long kept, and
somewhat diluted, that after seven to ten days, the poison
acquired an odor of a peculiar and very disgusting character.
The production of this animalized and indescribable stench,
was accompanied by the appearance of vibriones, and a few
days later, of rotiferal and other minute forms of animalcular
life. The question was, what power yet remained in the
venom which had become the nidus of so much active vitality ?
I tested it on animals, and still found it actively poisonous.”
Dr. Mitchell's experiments give the following, as the
Effect of the Venom upon
the Crotalus. *
This research resolves itself into two propositions, or
rather, questions. First, Can the Crotalus kill its own spe-
cies? Second, Can any individual snake kill itself?
* The first of these queries has been more or less completely
answered, as regards certain India snakes, the Viper of
(
* Researches
upon
the Venom of the Rattlesnake, by S. Weir Mitchell,
p. 60.

124
OPHIDIANS.
Europe, and our own Crotalus. Russell* made a Cobra bite
a Nooni-Paragoodoo near the anus. It died in one hour and
a quarter. A little local discoloration existed about the
wound, and the lungs were full of blood. A Cobra bit
another Cobra, with a negative result. How long it was ob-
served, is not stated.
“A Coodum-Nagoo bit a Cobra, the two fangs taking
effect, the result as before, being negative. All of these are
venomous snakes.
“A Coodum-Nagoo bit a Tortulla, a harmless serpent,
which perished within two hours.
“Fontana'st experiments on the effect of the venom of the
Viper upon its own kind, were briefly as follows:
“One viper was bitten by another several times. The
wounds swelled a little. It was killed by Fontana after
thirty-six hours, and found to have been deeply wounded, the
bites being a little inflamed and swollen.
“A middle-sized viper received from two large ones six
fang-wounds. The viper remained agile, and was well at the
end of four days. When killed it was found to have been
bitten through and through. The wounds were somewhat
inflamed. Five other vipers thus bitten did not die. Length
of observation not mentioned. Again, a portion of the skin
having been removed from the backs of four vipers, seven
vipers were made to bite them. None of the bitten animals
died, and only one of them was at all languid, and had a
little swelling about the wound. Three vipers were wounded
in the back, and the wound filled with venom. The wounds
inflamed but did not swell. The animals seem to have been
killed at the end of several days. A viper was forced to bite
* Russell, p. 56.
† Fontana, vol. i, p. 29 et seq. Skinner's Translation.

NATURE AND ANALYSIS OF THE POISONS.
125
itself; but did not die. Another was made to bite upon a
piece of jagged glass so that its mouth was wounded as the
poison flowed into it. On the seventh day the wounds were
healed.
“M. Bernard* recently repeated Fontana's experiments, and
found that a viper which had been both bitten and inoculated
artificially with the
venom, died on the third day. Upon
this experiment M. Bernard criticizes Fontana, as having ob-
served the viper and pigeons together, and having concluded
that, because the cold blooded animal was not so soon affected
as the other, it was incapable of being killed by the venom.
As we have seen, however, some of Fontana's experiments
were observed during periods of time much greater than that
required to destroy the viper observed by M. Bernard. Thus,
although Fontana was most probably mistaken in his con-
clusions, he did not fail in the point criticized, from any glaring
neglect of continued observation.
“The American authorities upon this matter are brief, but
decided. They refer principally to the power of the snake to
destroy itself, and to this point, indeed, my own experiments
have been directed, since it was plain that if the individual
could thus be made to kill itself, there could be no added diffi-
culty in comprehending its ability to kill its fellows.
“Besides including the general proposition, the question
before us has a specific interest, from the fact that snakes are
often accidentally hurt about the mouth, and that abrasions
of this cavity must frequently occur. We are, therefore,
called
upon to say why the snake suffers so little from wounds
on which a poison so deadly to other animals must fall from
time to time.
* Claude Bernard, Leçons sur les Effets des Substances Toxiques, &c.,
1857, p. 291.

126
OPHIDIANS.
a
a
“Our own writers* state almost unanimously that the Cro-
talus is able to kill itself. Without quoting them in full, it
is enough to add that their experiments were commonly made
by switching a snake until it turned and struck itself. Death
is usually described as following within a few moments.
“At the close of a series of experiments on warm-blooded
animals, I made use of some of my largest snakes in the fol-
lowing manner :
“ Experiment No. 1. Temperature 65° to 75º Fahr. A small
snake, about twenty-seven inches long, was caught by the
neck, and its tail placed in its mouth. It bit, but did not
wound. A portion of the skin having been removed from
the back, it was allowed to bite again, and when the fangs
were fixed in the naked muscles, the upper jaw was violently
pressed downwards, so as to wound the part deeply. Upon
the sixth day, the wound was covered with a gray exudation
such as is usually found upon the healing surface of the
wounds of serpents. This snake died on the fourteenth day.
The tissues about the bite were congested, the gall-bladder
full, mucus in the stomach, the venom-glands dark from
effused blood.
“ Experiment No. 2. A large snake was made to bite himself
twice, in a space near the cloaca where the skin had been re-
moved. This serpent also died on the fourteenth day. The
wound was apparently healthy, and not to be distinguished
from
any other wound, except that the muscles about it were a
little softened. The blood was uncoagulated, but there was
no other visible lesion of
internal organ.
“ Experiment No. 3. On the same day a large snake, fifty-
six inches long, had a small portion of the skin on the back
any internal
* Burnett, p. 323.

NATURE AND ANALYSIS OF THE POISONS. 127
loosened and turned over, so as to make a flap. On this
wound was placed about a drop of venom from the snake
itself. The poison was finally thrust into a number of super-
ficial cuts made in the muscles on which the drop fell. On
the second day, the snake being well to appearance,
half a
drop of its own venom was put in a superficial wound half
way up the back. This wound seemed to excite the snake,
which, on being replaced in its box, continued in very rapid
and violent motion for some minutes, as though in pain. On
the sixth day, both wounds were covered with gray exuda-
tion, and beneath, the muscles were soft; but in this, as in
other cases, no effusion of blood existed about the wound.
The snake was sluggish, and indisposed to bite. It died on
the tenth day.
“Post mortem. There were no visceral lesions, except that
one lung contained a little effused blood. The venom-glands
were dark and congested; the heart-blood coagulated firmly
thirty minutes after removal. In all probability, this serpent
died from some other cause than venom poisoning.
“Experiment No. 4. A snake forty-six inches long was se-
cured, and the skin just above the anus removed from a space
of about one inch by two. On this the snake bit itself three
times, throwing out a good deal of venom, which was thrust
deeply into the muscles of the part. On the second day, the
wounded muscles were softened, but no blood was effused.
The wound had been recovered with skin, and secured by
sutures. At the close of two weeks, this snake was healthy,
and bit eagerly; the wounds were partially healed.
“ Experiments 5, 6, and 7. Three large serpents were made
to disgorge their venom, and the poison of each snake was
injected under the skin of its back with the aid of a small
syringe and trocar. The snakes, which I will distinguish as

128
OPHIDIANS.
Nos. 5, 6, and 7, received respectively ten, eight, and seven
drops of poison.
“No. 5 died in thirty-six hours. The wound was sur-
.
rounded by softened tissues, but was not stained with blood.
The organs generally were normal, except the stomach, which
contained bloody mucus.
The heart was full of clotted
blood.
“No. 6 died in sixty-seven hours. The local appearances
in this case were much as in the last one, but less extensive.
The interior organs were healthy, and the heart contained
two loose and soft clots.
“No. 7 died during the seventh day. The wound, in this
case, penetrated the muscles, which were dark and much soft-
ened. The blood in the heart was mostly diffluent, present-
ing but a single small coagulum of loose structure. The
intestines were spotted with ecchymoses, and the peritoneal
cavity contained about a drachm of fluid blood.
"I may add to these cases the numerous instances in which
“
I have wounded the mouths of snakes, or torn the vagina
dentis, while robbing them of poison. On none of these oc-
casions has any serious result followed the injury, even where
venom had fallen upon the abraded surfaces in considerable
amount.
“The above experiments were on the whole so definite in
their results, that I did not think it necessary to multiply
them. I had very many times injured snakes far more than
these were injured by their own fangs or the preparatory
manipulations, and I therefore felt at liberty to conclude that
the animals employed on these latter occasions really died
from the venom. The length of time required for this to
occur was curious, and far exceeded in most of them that
which was noted in Bernard's cases, or in the
many instances
a

NATURE AND ANALYSIS OF THE POISONS.
129
of which I have been told rattlesnakes had stricken them-
selves.
“One of the factors in Experiments 5, 6, and 7, and one
which has been too much neglected, is the temperature, which
in
my own cases was very moderate during the day, and fell
a good deal lower during the night, the observations having
been carried on during a cool period in September, 1859.
MM. Bernard, Russell and Fontana give no record of the tem-
perature during their observations. That it is a very impor-
tant condition in the venom-poisoning of the cold-blooded
batrachia, I have frequently observed; and it is highly prob-
able that in all cold blooded animals the elevation of the tem-
perature carries with it an increase of danger from poisons,
and especially from those of a septic nature.
“When we examine the pathological effects of the venom
in warm-blooded animals, we shall see that, while the general
phenomena were essentially the same as in cold blooded rep-
tiles and batrachia, they were far more rapidly produced.
The Crotalus itself was a good illustration of this contrast,
and was in other respects exceptional in the mode in which
it was affected; since, while the muscles were altered, as in
warm-blooded creatures, the blood coagulated better than was
usual in them, and the visceral lesions were less severe and
less frequent.
“On the other hand, while the frog for its size is remark-
ably unimpressible by Crotalus venom, the phenomena which
in it accompanied the examples of slow poisoning were in no
respect different from those developed in the warm-blooded
animals."
From the same work the following interesting data are
taken, as they exhibit phenomena having reference to yellow
or bilious fevers :

130
OPHIDIANS.
“Both pigeons were enfeebled by the poison, and seemed
disposed to sleep; one of them sank slowly lower and lower,
until its head touched the table, when it rolled on its side.
“A pigeon, in ten minutes after it was struck on the back
by a small snake, fell into the usual stupor, with jerking,
abrupt respiration, &c.
“The bird became gradually weaker and weaker, and died
without convulsions, at the close of an hour and a half. The
pupils gradually contracted before death, and suddenly dilated
afterwards.
“The tissues, for an inch or more around the wound, were
soaked with extravasated blood, which had even passed
through between the ribs, so as to stain the tissues behind the
intestines.
“The heart was large and full of perfectly fluid blood.
“My chief reason for recording at length these cases,” con-
tinues Dr. Mitchell, “is to show the great increase in the
internal lesions which occurs, when the venom is long in killing
the animal.”
Among these changes it was found, as a general rule, that
the blood was most affected, and least coagulable the longer
death was delayed.
In two cases the dogs passed clay-colored stools.
So far as a fatal result is concerned, it seems to be indiffer-
ent, whether the bite takes place about the head and neck, or
in the limbs.
This last observation is of great interest, owing to the fact
that the dog, a small terrier, survived very serious visceral
lesions, and lived during two days, with his blood in a con-
dition of complete diffluence.
Twenty hours from the time of the poisoning, the dog was
found lying on his left side, having passed slimy and bloody
stools in abundance. At intervals he seemed to suffer much

NATURE AND ANALYSIS OF THE POISONS.
131
from tenesmus, but was so weak that he stood
up
with
difficulty.
His gums were bleeding, a symptom I had seen before, and
his eyes were deeply injected. (The most characteristic symp-
tom of yellow fever, according to Manzini.)
Twenty-seven hours and a half after the time he was bitten,
his hind legs were twitching, and the dysentery continued.
No clot was found in the blood. This case is doubly im-
portant, because it shows how long the poisoning must con-
tinue before the blood becomes diffluent.
Dr. Mitchell continues :
“The study of envenomed blood has thus far taught us:
“1st. That in animals which survive the poisoning for a
time, the blood is so altered as to render the fibrin incoagu-
lable.
“2d. Experiments in and out of the body have given proof
that this change is gradual, and that the absence of coagu-
lation is not due to checked formation of fibrin, but to alter-
ations produced by the action of the venom in that fibrin
which already exists in the circulating blood.
“3d. The influence thus exerted is of a putrefactive nature,
and imitates, in a few hours, the ordinary work of days of
change. It is probably even more rapid within the body, on
account of the higher temperature of the economy.
“ 4th. The altered blood retains its
power
to absorb gases,
and thus to change its own color.
“5th. The blood-corpuscles are unaffected in acute poison-
ing by Crotalus venom, and are rarely doubtfully altered in
the most prolonged cases which result fatally.
“6th. The contents of the blood-globules of the Guinea pig
can be made to crystallize, as is usual after other modes of
death.
a

132
OPHIDIANS.
a
Among the most constant and curious lesions in the cases
of secondary poisoning are the ecchymoses, which are found on
and in the viscera of the chest and belly, most frequently affect-
ing the intestinal canal. They may and do occur in any cavity
and on any organ. These spots contain blood, whose globules
are more or less deformed, but still of dimensions not less
than usual.
“Owing to the changes of the blood, or the tissues, or both,
extravasations are met with in the lungs, brain, kidneys,
serous membranes, intestines, and heart. As a result we may
have functional derangement grafted on the main stem of the
malady, and the accompaniments of bloody serum in the
affected cavities, bloody mucus in the intestinal canal, and
bloody urine in the bladder.”
From the preceding experiments Dr. Mitchell naturally
arrives at the conclusion:
“That the venom of Crotalus, like that of other snakes, is
a septic, or putrefacient poison, of astounding energy; a view
long held by toxicologists.
“The rapid decomposition of the blood, and of the tissues
locally acted upon by the venom, leaves no doubt upon
the matter,
and makes it apparent that an incipient putrefaction of this
nature may so affect the blood as to destroy its powers to clot,
and perhaps, also, to nourish the tissues through which it is
urged."*
The alterations thus brought about are probably the results
of a continued fermentative change, which, by a small amount
of poison, is gradually made to involve in fatal change the
whole mass of the circulating fluids. Like all fermentations,
however, the rapidity depends upon temperature, and on the
amount of the primary ferment.
* See Sfigmas, pp. 177-184.

NATURE AND ANALYSIS OF THE POISONS.
133
In one instance a dog, struck by eight snakes, died in
eighteen minutes, and exhibited uncoagulable blood. I am
aware of no other case of loss of uncoagulable blood so rapid.
It was rendered thus by the number of localities from which
the ferment attacked the system.
On the other hand, the frog, a small animal, receives the
same dose of venom as would have entered the tissues of a
larger animal; yet it resists the poison most remarkably, by
virtue of its powers as a cold blooded creature, existing at the
temperature of the atmosphere itself.
The cause of death in chronic or secondary poisoning, may,
with propriety, be referred to the incipient putrefactive
changes which affect the blood, as well as the continued
influence of the agencies which first act to depress the heart's
action, and destroy nerve function.
Summing up what we have learned of the acute forms of
poisoning, we may feel justified, according to Dr. Mitchell,
in concluding:*
1st. That the heart becomes enfeebled shortly after the
bite. This is due to direct influence of the venom on this
organ,
and not to the precedent loss of the respiratory function. Not-
withstanding the diminution of the cardial power, the heart
is usually in motion, after the lungs cease to act, and its tissues
remain for a time locally irritable. The paralysis of the heart
is, therefore, not so complete as it is under the influence of
Upas or Corroval poison.
2d. That in warm-blooded animals artificial respiration
lengthens the life of the heart, but does not sustain it so long
as where the animal has died by Woordra or decapitation.
3d. That in frogs the heart-acts continue after respiration
has ceased, and sometimes survive until the sensory nerves
* Crotalus Horridus, &c., by Dr. Neidhard. New York, 1868. Radde.

134
OPHIDIANS.
and the nerve-centres are dead, the motor nerves alone remain-
ing irritable.
4th. That in warm-blooded animals respiration ceases owing
to paralysis of the nerve-centres.
5th. That the sensory nerves and the centres of nerve power
in the medulla spinalis and the medulla oblongata lose their vi-
tality before the efferent or motor nerves become affected.
6th. That the muscular system retains its irritability in the
cold blooded animals acutely poisoned, for a considerable time
after death.
7th. That the effect of the venom being to depress the vital
energy of the heart and nerve-centres, a resort to stimulants
is clearly indicated as the rational mode of early constitutional
treatment.
ANNUAL DEATHS FROM SNAKE-BITES IN INDIA.
According to official returns in the Bengal Presidency for
1869 the following abstracts are taken, viz.:
.
.
Bengal, Assam, Orissa,
North west Provinces,
Punjab,
Oude,
Central Provinces,
Central India,
6,645
1,995
755
1,205
606
120
.
11,416
Making a total of 11,416 for an estimated population of
121,000,000, which would give over 25,000 deaths for the
year throughout the whole of India !
Details of the above Cases of Snake-bites, from the
preceding Report.
The returns from the Bengal Presidency are detailed as
follows, viz.: 3037 males and 3182 females; of these, as far

NATURE AND ANALYSIS OF THE POISONS.
135
as known, the following table shows which kinds have caused
the greatest proportion of deaths in the different districts, viz.:
Bengal. Orissa. Assam. Oude.
Central Central N. W.
India. Provi'cs Provi'cs
959
128
607
21
854
.
}
160
2
105
Cobra,
Krait,
Bung. cærul.,
Other snakes,
Not known,
92
348
52
12
20
37
63
4752
168
64
473
32
606
986
Punjab.
76
British Burmah.
Cobra,
45 .
Daboia,
Hamadryad, } 75
Other snakes,
Hydrophis,
Not known,
.
.
• 242
. 437
Dr. Fayrer says,* in all cases where the blood forms a firm
coagulum after death the poison is of a Coluber, and in all
cases where it remains perfectly fluid it is of a Viper.
This point is not positively determined as yet. We may,
however, take the Naja tripudians as heading the scale of
those poisons whose action on the blood produces a coagulum,
and the Orotalus as the synonym for the opposite class, whose
action on the blood produces permanent fluidity; it is prob-
able that the action of all the other snake poisons ranges be-
tween these two extremes. But under certain conditions the
same kind of poison, taken from the same reptile, produces
such widely different effects that sometimes it kills quickly,
at other times it kills slowly, and during a certain annual
period in the life of the reptile it does not produce death, but
causes a partial septicemia only.
To explain, viz.: Just at the time when the snake begins
* The Thanatophidia of India, by J. Fayrer, M.D. London: J. & A.
Churchill, 1872.

136
OPHIDIANS.
to change its skin, and enters into the state of semi-torpidity
consequent upon this change, the poison loses its venomous
principle, and what is still more singular the gall loses its bitter
principle and becomes sweet to the taste.
The poison extracted from the reptile in this state is a
milky, thick, viscous fluid, which soon separates itself into
a white ropy sediment, and a supernatant, transparent, slightly
viscous liquid, showing no trace of acidity. Neither the sedi-
ment nor the colorless liquid alone or in combination causes
death in pigeons or dogs, but a septicæmia is produced which
is limited, and not profound in its action. The poison con-
tinues in this condition until the state of torpidity ceases, and
when the colors on the new skin are very brightly marked
and distinct the venomous principle is again restored to the
poison and the bitter principle to the gall.
These facts afford us a key to the widely different results
obtained by experimenters, who use different substances as
antidotes in cases of snake-bites, which appear to be efficacious
many times, and not efficacious in many other instances, when
really they deserve no merit whatever for efficacy.
Another fact is worthy of notice in this connection: the
action of the bile in the snake is precisely the same as the
gastric juice in the human stomach. After the reptile has
swallowed its food a discharge of the bile into the digestive
canal takes place; next ensues a precisely similar condition
to that which occurs in jaundice. The whole muscular system
becomes saturated with it, and the remaining portion which
decomposes the food passes off in the fæces. In this condi-
tion if its own or the poison of another snake is introduced
into the body, death does not ensue; because the bile which
has already been absorbed by the muscular system antidotes
the action of the poison, however fully its venomous principle
may have been developed when injected.

NATURE AND ANALYSIS OF THE POISONS.
137
The poison and the fang by which it injects it are the rep-
tile's weapons of defence, consequently nature does not teach it
to use them against its own kind, so it may
bite another snake
without injecting poison into the wound; whereas, if it bites
a man or an animal the injection of the virus follows, an in-
stinct of nature. A knowledge of the foregoing facts leads
us to the following conclusions, viz.:
1st. To determine the nature of any of these poisons by
experiment we must first be sure that they are taken from a
reptile at the period during which the venomous principle is
fully developed.
2d. A hypodermic syringe is the proper instrument to be
relied on for introducing the virus into the blood, as its action
is precisely similar to that of the fang:
3d. We must be sure that there has been no general absorp-
tion of bile into the system of the animal to be experimented
upon, at the time of making the experiment.
By observing all these conditions, our experiments will be
of value to science.
The experiments of Blake, Hering, and Claud Bernard,
show that the absorption of the poison takes place with such
rapidity as to render the administration of any remedy utterly
useless in many cases.
The general rule is, that an antidote
will prove efficacious in all cases where no organic lesion has
already taken place.
In South America the bite of a Vipera Echis variegata
has been known to produce death in five minutes in a man;
and a Vipera Lachesis niger has killed a stout, able-bodied
man in as short a period of time.
Blake says* poison passed through the jugular vein to the
lungs of a dog in from 4 to 6 seconds; through the jugular
* Guy's Forensic Medicine, page 388, third edition.
12

138
OPHIDIANS.
cocoa.
vein to the coronary arteries of the heart in 7 seconds, and
was distributed through the circulation in 9 seconds.
Dr. Fayrer recommends the application of a ligature with-
out delay in cases of snake-bites; but there is not a single
case on record where its application has proved of any use
whatever, and this fact also accords with my own experience.
To test this point, Dr. Shorlt, of Madras, seized the promi-
nent part of the muscles of a dog's hind leg with a stout pair
of forceps, under the points of which a ligature was passed
with a strong cord; this was drawn as tightly as possible
with the force of a strong man, and the portion of the muscle
remaining above the ligature was of the size of a grain of
An assistant held a pair of scissors just over the liga-
ture. The fang of a live Cobra was passed through the part
just above the scissors, and, the instant the fang was drawn,
the projecting part was excised close to the ligature.
What appreciable portion of poison could have passed into
the circulation in the second or two that elapsed between the
injection of the venom and the excision of the part? Yet
death ensued in an hour! Had the dog been bitten by the
snake in his hinder parts death would have ensued in from
30 to 40 minutes. This was a case in which the deadliness
of the poison could not be doubted; but the application of
the ligature only delayed the mortal result a few minutes.
To determine the degree of virulence of the different poisons
it will be necessary to institute a series of experiments with
animals of the same kind, of as nearly the same age as
possible. The poison must be introduced into the same vein,
at the same distance from the heart, and in (as nearly as pos-
sible), the same quantity.
In the experiments which have already been made, and in
the cases of snake bites given in another part of this work,
the facts prove that, when the poison is introduced into the

NATURE AND ANALYSIS OF THE POISONS.
139
extremities or the small arteries or veins, death ensues after
a much longer time than when it is introduced into one of
the larger veins or near the heart; as, in the latter case, death
ensues almost invariably within a few seconds. This fact is
particularly noticeable in the action of the Naja trip. poison.
The following experiments were made in St. Bartholomew's
Hospital, in London, in November, 1872, in the presence of
the following gentlemen : Dr. J. Forbes Watson, of the India
Office; J. Fayrer, M.D., author of the Thanatophidia; Dr.
T. Lander Brunton, casualty physician to the hospital, and
the author. The Cobra poison used in the experiments was
very much decomposed, with its accompanying unbearable
stench, having been kept in the laboratory for more than a
year. It was diluted in the proportion of about one drop of
poison to twenty drops of water.
Experiment No. 1. With a tame pigeon, a dilution of the
Cobra poison, injected into the left hind leg, at 1.462 P.M.
At 1.50 it was seated with the point of its beak resting on
the floor; did not appear to be in pain. At 1.52, or in 51
minutes, dead.
Experiment No. 2. Another pigeon, of the same size and
age, had injected into its left hind leg a dilution of the same
poison at 1.56 P.M. At 1.59 a dose of the antidote, as pre-
pared in Experiment No. 4, was injected into the mouth, by
means of a syringe; at 1.60 dose of antidote; at 1.62 dose
of antidote; at 1.62wound moistened with antidote; at
2.4 dose of antidote; at 2.7 dose of antidote; at 2.15 dose of
antidote; at 2.21] P.M., or in 253 minutes, dead.
Deductions from the previous Experiment. Although the
antidote was not prepared from the gall of the Cobra, yet,
still it seemed, to a certain degree, to counteract the effects of
the poison. In the preceding experiments, the point of the

140
OPHIDIANS.
a
syringe, as far as could be judged, did not penetrate any prin-
cipal artery or vein.
Experiment No. 3. With a white rabbit, apparently in
perfect health, and of a medium size.
At 2.51 P.M., injected 20 minims of the liquid into the
femoral artery of the left hind leg.
At 3.33 P.M., nearly dead.
At 3.41 P.M., dead. .
At 3.42 P.M. an opening in the larynx was connected with
a small pair of bellows, by means of an elastic tube, and arti-
ficial respiration was commenced; the heart commenced beat-
ing at the rate of 150 pulsations per minute, which continued
till 5.15 P.M., when the respiration was discontinued, owing
to the lateness of the hour.
Death ensued in this case in 50 minutes after the injection
of the poison.
An experiment had been made by Dr. Brunton a few days
previously, in which a rabbit had been killed by the Curare
poison, and in which artificial respiration was sustained for
four hours and a half, when the animal was restored to life,
the poison having been eliminated in the involuntary dis-
charges of fecal matter and urine, which continued during
the time of artificial respiration.
Two days later than Experiment No. 3, another experiment
was made of a precisely similar nature, in which artificial
respiration was kept up for six hours, when the pulsations
of the heart had diminished from 150 to less than 50, and as
it was evident that they must soon cease entirely, the artificial
respiration was discontinued.
Deduction from Experiment No. 3. 1st. That the sensory
nerves were first affected by the poison, the source of nerve-
force having been apparently annihilated by it.
a

NATURE AND ANALYSIS OF THE POISONS.
141
P.M.
Experiment No. 4. An albino rabbit, of the same size and
age as the first one, had injected into the femoral artery of the
left hind leg twenty minims of the diluted poison at 2.531
It was remarked in this case that the point of the
syringe penetrated the artery. Made a preparation of five
drops of the first decimal dilution of the gall of a South
American Viperine snake in four ounces of fresh water.
Gave of this, at 2.59 P.M., first dose; 3.031 second dose; 3.08
P.M. third dose; when it became evident that the antidote was
producing no effect, and it was discontinued. At 3.28 P.M.,
or in thirty-four and a half minutes, death ensued. At 4 P.M.
a portion of the blood, poured into a deep dish, had formed a
firm coagulum, with very little apparent change of color.
.
Deductions from the foregoing Experiment. That as the point
of the syringe had penetrated the artery, and as the albino
organization is so peculiarly sensitive in every respect, death
had ensued much quicker than in Experiment No. 1. As to
the action of the antidote, it was evident.that the gall of the
Cobra was necessary to counteract the effects of the Cobra
poison, as the range of action of the gall must necessarily be
similar, in a pathogenetic (therapeutic) sense, to the action of
the poison in a toxicological sense.
Experiment No. 5. With the poison of a South American
Viperine snake called Bogui Dorada (or Gilded Mouth)—a
quantity of about four drops of the poison to each ten minims
of liquid.
At 3.141 injected twelve minims near the femoral artery
of the right hind leg of a black rabbit, of same size, age, and
weight as No. 4. At 3.194 tried to force into his mouth a
dose of same antidote as used in Experiment No. 2, but he
obstinately refused to swallow. 3.27 P.M. tried to give a
dose of antidote-same result; 3.44, ditto; 3.53, ditto. 40.3,
a

142
OPHIDIANS.
at Dr. Fayrer's suggestion, injected fifteen minims more of
the diluted poison in the same leg. At 4.16 tried unsuccess-
fully to make him take a dose of the antidote. At 5.15 P.M.
the poison had not taken any apparent effect.
Experiment No. 6. At 3.17 P.M. injected into the hind leg
of a gray rabbit, of the same size, weight, and age as No. 5,
twelve minims of the same dilution of poison. As no appar-
ent effect had been produced at 4.041, injected ten minims
more of the diluted poison. At 5.15 P.M. no apparent effect
had been produced by the poison ; but about thirty-six hours
thereafter, rabbit No. 6 died, having had continuous evacua-
tions for the previous twelve hours. Forty-eight hours after
the injection of the poison, rabbit No. 5 died, without the
evacuations.
Experiment No. 7. A white rabbit, of the same size, age,
and weight as the preceding, had one drop of the Cobra
poison of Experiment No. 1, diluted in twenty drops of
water, injected at 4.35 P.m. into the jugular vein. As soon
as the syringe could be detached from its nozzle, another
syringe was attached to it, containing a solution of three parts
water and one part liquid ammonia of 959 specific gravity,
which was injected instantly into the vein. Dead in fifty
seconds.
Experiment No. 8. Same poison ; rabbit of same age,
weight, and size. Ten drops of the liquid injected into the
jugular vein at 4.42 P.M. An injection of forty minims of
the same liquid ammonia diluted with water was forced into
the vein, with a delay of not exceeding five seconds. At 4.43
dead.
The rabbit No. 3 had its intestinal cavity opened at 5
The peristaltic motion of the intestines had not been
P.M.

NATURE AND ANALYSIS OF THE POISONS.
143
annihilated; the blood formed a firm clot in ten minutes after
exposure to the atmosphere.
Deductions from the previous Experiment. There can be no
possible doubt that the Cobra poison kills the source of nerve
force, and that the reflex action through the motor nerves is
remotely influenced by the action of the poison.
Professor Halford* cites twenty cases of snake bites in
which hypodermic injections of liquor ammonia were used,
of which seventeen cases recovered and three died. The
quantity injected varied from thirty-six minims of liquor
ammonia (B. P.), 959 specific gravity, to 30 minims + 30
minims water; also 10 minims liquor ammonia fortissimus
+ 50 minims water; also 5 minims liquor ammonia fortissi-
mus + 25 minims warm water,—varied in different cases
according to the age, sex, and apparent strength of the
patient.
These cases were all of such a nature (I quote the Profes-
sor's own words), that those who had charge of the patients
believed that death would have ensued unless the liquor am-
monia had been used.
Of the effect of ammonia on the circulation, Professor Hal-
ford continues: “It may be stated as a rule with but few
exceptions, in cases of snake-bites, that the blood loses its
power of coagulation, and becomes thinner and poorer, its
color resembling the most deodorized form of Stokes's cruo-
rine.
It greedily absorbs oxygen, however, after death when ex-
posed to the air, and it absorbs it with greater readiness than
unpoisoned blood. According to Dr. Harley's observations
in a dog poisoned by a Puff Adder, the blood absorbed two
per cent. more oxygen than healthy blood similarly treated.
а
* In a paper read before the Victoria Society of Melbourne, Australia,
by Dr. George B. Halford, June 1, 1870.

144
OPHIDIANS.
Why, when no impediment exists to the access of oxygen,
should the blood become so gradually deoxidized in cases of
snake-bites, except upon the supposition that something had
been added to it which prevented those actions and reactions
between blood and oxygen upon which the manifestations of
life depend? The fluid state of the blood is also in harmony
with deficient oxidation, and yet there is no hindrance to
respiration, no reason, as in drowning, why the oxygen
should not reach the blood. It does reach it, but in the pres-
ence of serpent-poison its life-sustaining power is withheld,
unless some other agent be added to the blood to counteract
. it. When the poison is in the blood, the large cells are
strangely altered : the white corpuscles are greatly swollen,
and certainly increased in quantity, the increase in size appar-
ently keeping pace with the fluidity of the blood, although
such changes do not occur in white corpuscles placed in water.
This change in the corpuscles commences during life, but
goes on indefinitely after death, until all the granular matter
seen in the blood becomes converted into cells.
Their average diameter is too of an inch. The nucleus
is round or kidney-shaped, and the outer cell-wall so delicate
as to escape the notice of most observers until their attention
is repeatedly directed to it. In addition, the application of
magenta reveals a minute colored spot, like a ruby, at some
part of the circumference, resembling the macula seen in the
red corpuscles of all vertebrates, as pointed out by Roberts.
This condition of white cell is common to nearly all fluid
blood of cats and dogs; especially where it is deficient in
fibrin the cells become very evident after death, but when the
blood is rich in fibrin the corpuscles, being less at liberty, retain
their normal shapes; in fact they swell in serum minus fibrin.
In leucocythæmia, where both white cells and fibrin are in
excess, these changes do not occur.

NATURE AND ANALYSIS OF THE POISONS. 145
1
4000
These changes in the blood I refer to germinal matter in-
troduced from the serpent's glands, and all the symptoms to
such changes. This germinal matter consists of nuclei
of an inch in diameter; the fluid being either slightly acid or
neutral. To explain: there is little if any difference chemi-
cally between starch and sugar, but physically they are very
different ; little difference chemically between fibrin and albu-
men, physically they are very different: but both starch and
fibrin are rendered soluble by the addition of minute particles
of germinal matter; in the first case, from the salivary glands;
in the second case, from the stomach. True, with the latter
is combined an acid, but without the pepsin-cells no digestion
takes place, and what is very remarkable, a very
minute
quan-
tity will convert a very large quantity of fibrin into albumen
so long as the mixture remains acid; the pepsin-cells require
no renewal, as they are said to determine the conversion by
catalysis.
A little spittle from a man's mouth will change starch into
sugar in one minute. This being the fact, it is unreasonable
to claim for another gland closely allied to the salivary, an
equal power in another direction.
What the changes produced in the blood are, we do not
fully know; but that which in healthy blood is called fibrin
is diminished, digested, if you will, in the presence of ser-
pent's poison. If the quantity of this substance entering the
circulation is great, the changes are greater, and chances of
recovery less. If the animal is small its chances of recovery
are still less; if it depends much upon oxygen, with a natu-
rally high fibrinous blood, rapid circulation and absorption,
it soon falls a victim ; thus a bitten bird succumbs in a few
minutes.
If the animal be in a degree indifferent to oxygen, i.e., can
a
13

146
OPHIDIANS.
live a long time under water, in carbonic acid gas, as a reptile
or hibernating animal, with correspondingly slow circulation
and absorption, its chances of recovery are greater; it is nat-
urally more indifferent to the presence of the poison, and the
probability of absorption from a wound is less.
It
may be said that the symptoms of snake-poisoning come
on too soon for such changes in the blood to be produced ; but
recollect the nearly instantaneous action of pytalin. If venom
enter the vein, one minute will certainly suffice for its entire
circulation through the body.
Estimating the quantity of blood in the body at twelve
pounds, and the contents of the left ventricle at three ounces,
then the whole mass of the blood would be circulated by
sixty-four heart-beats; and taking the normal beats at seventy-
five per minute, this quantity of blood would pass through the
heart, carrying with it the imported poison in fifty-one seconds.
I have shown by experiments that dyes, such as magenta,
may be absorbed from the serous cavities, peritoneum and
pleura, and from the subcutaneous connective tissue, and trav-
erse the circulation, be excreted by the kidneys, and ejected
by the bladder, in less than five minutes. The experiments
proving this fact were made upon dogs and fowls.
Later, Drs. Macnamara and Haughton have found iodine
pass from the tunica vaginalis testis, and to be discharged
from the bladder in four minutes ; therefore in man, symp-
toms of poisoning may certainly be possible in five minutes,
and in birds in half that time.
Believing then, that in the blood itself the chemical changes
occur which have their resultants in voluntary and reflex acts
(will and motion), and in animal heat, let us turn to the con-
dition of our snake-bitten patient. He is usually pale, with
a great tendency to sleep, the heart's action is feeble, and in
some cases a deep coma ensues, from which it is difficult to

NATURE AND ANALYSIS OF THE POISONS. 147
arouse him; in fact the countenance is like that of an epileptic
after the convulsion.
Do not the pallor and drowsiness indicate an anæmic state
of the brain, or rather a diminution of the arterial capacity
and extension of the venous surface analogous to that which
takes place in a less degree in ordinary sleep, according to the
researches of Dr. Durham ? In all the cases of cures cited,
the functions of the cerebral ganglia and higher sensorium
were for a time extinct.
The sufferers were dead to both sound and light, and had
absolutely no knowledge of the injections to which they were
submitted.
Now it is worthy of notice, that recent views ascribe the
phenomenon of sleep to the using up of the previously stored-
up oxygen in the blood, which is analogous to the accession of
sleep in cases of snake-poisoning.
Another symptom which deserves the greatest considera-
tion is the extreme dilatation of the pupil, depending, as I be-
lieve, on the central optic ganglia.
Light is pouring into the eyeball, and yet no reflex acts are
produced. An exactly similar condition affects the auditory
ganglia; vibration after vibration shocks the tympanum,
each
falling silently upon the central ganglia. Sometimes this
condition of the sensory ganglia, including probably the cor-
pora striata, optic thalami, and corpora quadrigemina, exists,
while the higher cerebral ganglia either remain a long time
unaffected or escape entirely, in the latter case, recovery re-
sulting; in the former, constituting a most dangerous state,
especially when accompanied by swelling or pain in the neck.
Mr. Hodgkinson, according to his own experience, after
being bitten by a snake, says: “There was insensibility to the
effects of pungent salts when held to the nostrils, and to pinches
inflicted by some of the lookers-on, who desired thereby to

148
OPHIDIANS.
a
prevent me from falling into a comatose condition. There
was also deprivation of sight, which attained its maximum
about two hours after being bitten.”
Mr. Hodgkinson we all know is no ordinary man, and I
have no doubt that his intellectual activity or will, contributed
to save him.
Professor Halford then recommends injecting dilute am-
monia, an old and favorite remedy, he says, the world over;
,
;
but not to be put into the stomach, the stagnating vessels of
which cannot absorb, but injected into the blood itself.
On the latter point, viz., that the vessels of the stomach
cannot absorb quickly, almost every homoeopathic practitioner,
who has had even a limited practice, would join issue with
the Professor; for the facts are, that sometimes medicines under
certain conditions, do produce the most extraordinary results
in a few seconds in some cases, in a few minutes in others;
by being introduced into the stomach, and it is quite evident
that such results could only be produced by absorption.
The action of preparations of the gall taken into the stomach
produces effects precisely similar to the preceding in cases of
snake bites; whether these preparations would be more effi-
cacious in hypodermic injections I cannot say, but a series of
experiments is being carried out in India at the present time
(January, 1873), to test this point with Cobra poison. We
must also remember that different snake-poisons develop
different symptoms.
The Yellow-mouthed Viper (Vipera Lachesis os flavus) of
South America, producing, for example, suffusion of blood to
the face and head; veins of conjunctiva distended; patient
complains of heat, of great pain in the bitten part, great thirst;
eyes have a wild look, are very sensible to the light; in many
cases the sight is partially destroyed, and there is a discharge
a
a

NATURE AND ANALYSIS OF THE POISONS. 149
of blood from the mouth and nose, from the urinary canal,
and at times from under the nails of the extremities.
In fact, from what symptoms are developed in cases of
poison of one kind, you arrive at one conclusion by a course
of reasoning as to its action, only to have this completely set
aside by the effects produced by snake-poison of another
kind in other cases. A third kind produces quite different
effects, so as to make you question the previously formed
opinion; and lastly, you are left in a maze of doubt as to
what is true and what not true about its action, by noticing
carefully the symptoms developed in a fourth case by still
another variety of the serpent's poison.
From the above facts one can readily comprehend some of
the difficulties that present themselves to the student in this
branch of science, which by the way is so thankless in results
that it has occupied the attention of the English surgeons in
India for one hundred years past; and they frankly confess*
that
very little more is known about them than what Dr.
Patrick Russellt learned by his studies.
Since 1860, however, our knowledge on this subject has
taken a giant stride. Let us hope the day is not far distant
when this shall have become exhaustive.
The following article from Fayrer's Thanatophidiał is a
curiosity in medical literature, because the Oriental doctors of
medicine have always shown a disinclination to furnish out-
side barbarians with any insight into their preparations of
remedies or methods of treatment.
* See an editorial in the London Lancet, published during the year
1870.
† Transactions of the Royal Asiatic Society for 1780, from a paper
read by Dr. Patrick Russell.
| Lib. cit.

150
OPHIDIANS.
THE USE OF SNAKE-POISON IN MEDICINE BY THE KABIRÁJES*
OF BENGAL.
Furnished by Babóo Gúnga Pérsed, Senior, one of the most
learned Kabirájes in Calcutta.
The poison generally used is taken from the Keautiah
variety of the Cobras, and not from the Gokurrah (spectacled
Cobra), Sunkerchor, Sankni, or Bora, as the poisons of these
latter varieties are extremely acute.
The snake is introduced into an earthen pot, in which are
placed two or three green plantains, the opening of the pot
being covered with an earthenware plate. The application of
heat to the bottom of the vessel causes the snake to become
furious, and he bites the plantains.
The bitten part turns black, and is cut out, dried, and re-
duced to powder, then purified, and it is ready for use. The
poison thus obtained is impregnated with saliva and other
impurities, and is said to be in this state an irritant, warm,
sharp, penetrating, exceedingly quick in its action, and pro-
duces derangement of the nervous and digestive systems;
hence learned practitioners of ancient times used to purify it
by mixing therewith the juice of neem leaves and lime-juice,
and then it was dried.
This process is repeated five times. They consider its physi-
ological action to be warm, irritant, stimulating; a promoter
of the virtues of other medicines; antispasmodic; a promoter
of the action of the organs of secretion.
Its Therapeutical Action.—Used in the latter stage of low
forms of fever, when other remedies fail, it accelerates the heart's
action, and thus diffuses warmth over the whole surface, and
dissipates coma. It is used successfully in the collapsed stage
of cholera ; also in dysentery, and some complicated diseases ;
* " Fathers in medicine."

USE OF SNAKE-POISON IN MEDICINE.
151
in epilepsy arising from cold, it relieves the patient of insen-
sibility and forgetfulness, two well-marked symptoms de-
veloped by this disease.
Some practitioners state that it is used in cases of snake-
poisoning, where the body is cold and the heart's action
hardly sensible. In these cases its use is said to produce
a flow of blood to the distant capillaries in which circu-
lation had ceased, thus diffusing warmth over the whole
surface. Subsequently antidotes are used which circulating
with the blood are diffused over the whole system. Antidotes,
unless mixed with the poison, cannot be introduced into the
system by reason of the cessation of the circulation. More-
over, snake-poison is the only medicine that can produce instan-
taneous effects on the whole system; for this reason also the anti-
dotes are mixed with the poison. The Kabiraje says, he
believes certain vegetable and mineral poisons are rather
proper antidotes to snake-poisons, and vice versâ, as the latter
cause determination of blood to the brain, and thereby affect
the nervous system; whereas the vegetable and mineral sub-
stances used as antidotes, mostly cause determination of blood
to the alimentary canal, and thereby change the position of
the congestion from the brain to the alimentary canal.
The Bish Badis* in general use among the Kabirájes are
of three kinds, and are called :
No. 1. Súchikábarana.
2. Aghora-nrisinha-rasa.
3. Pratápa-lankeshvara.
No. 1 is prepared in two ways.—First method: A sort of
black sulphuretted mercury, 2 parts; burnt oxidized lead, 1
part; aconite, 1 part; snake-poison, 1 part. These ingredients,
all reduced to a powder, mixed, and subjected to a process in
* Mixtures of antidotes and poisons.

152
OPHIDIANS.
which the powder is repeatedly mixed and pounded with cer-
tain liquids, exposed to the sun, and then dried ; i. e., the
preparation is to be treated with fish gall, 7 times; goat's gall,
7 times; peacock's gall, 7 times; wild boar's gall, 7 times.
A second method is : Mercury, 1 part; snake-poison, 2 parts;
to be mixed and evaporated in a retort, the vapor collected in
a receiver, and kept for use in stoppered vials. This to be
used hypodermically at the centre of the scalp in epilepsy and
snake-bites.
No. 2. Aghora-nrisinha-rasa : Sulphuretted mercury, 2
parts; oxidized burnt copper, 1 part; oxidized burnt iron, 2
parts; oxidized burnt tin, 3 parts; burnt mica, 4 parts; pu-
rified red arsenic, 1 part; a preparation of gold and mercury
with sulphur, 1 part; snake-poison, 4 parts; ginger (long
and black pepper), 4 parts; aconite, 46 parts. These ingre-
dients pounded and mixed together are subjected to the liquid
process with the following substances: Fish bile, 7 times;
buffalo's bile, 7 times; Rakta-chitra, 7 times; goat's bile, 7
times ; peacock's bile, 7 times; boar's bile, 7 times.
Third method, or Pratápa-lankeshvara, is compounded of
sulphuretted mercury, 2 parts; burnt mica, 1 part; vermilion,
1 part; aconite, 1 part; borax, 1 part; burnt copper, 1 part;
burnt iron, 1 part; burnt tin, 1 part; licorice, 1 part; root
and stem of the Sida cordifolia, 1 part; tubers of the Cype-
rus hexastachyus, 1 part; Renuká (an aromatic seed like
pepper), 1 part; resin of the Balsamodendron agalocha, 1
part; red arsenic, 1 part; snake-poison, 1 part; flowers of
the Mesua ferrea, 1 part. These to be reduced to a fine
powder and mixed, and then to be subjected to the liquid pro-
cess with the following substances, viz.: Decoction of the
three pungents, 7 times; juice of Datura stram., 7 times;
juice of Cannab. Indica, 7 times; juice of the Rakta-chitrá,

CASES OF SNAKE - BITES.
153
52
12
a
7 times; juice of the Iválámukhí, 7 times; fish bile, 7 times;
goat's bile, 7 times; boar's bile, 7 times; buffalo's bile,
times; peacock's bile, 7 times.
What is most remarkable in the preparation of these Bish
Badis is their final treatment with the bile of animals. Any
preparation thus treated has nothing left of the taste of the
other ingredients but the bitter of the gall; and the Kabirajes
must have found in the latter a principle which produced a
marked action in antidoting the snake-poisons. This fact
argues the existence of elements common to all galls, prob-
ably Cholic and Choleic acids and Cholesterin.* The formulæ
are: Cholic acid = C,,H, NO,2. Choleic acid, containing a
large amount of sulphur, hitherto not obtained pure, but
yielding when boiled in alkaline solutions a neutral sulphu-
retted substance, Taurin=C H,NS,O., of remarkakly beau-
tiful crystalline forms.
Cholesterin crystallizes in brilliant, colorless lamellæ, a neu-
tral, insipid, and inodorous substance, slightly soluble in cold,
and very soluble in boiling alcohol. It melts at 278.6° Fahr.,
being decomposed only at a very high temperature; and it
resists the action of alkaline lixiviæ. Its true composition
has probably never been determined, but it corresponds nearly
to C2H,20.
CASES OF SNAKE-BITES.
The following cases of snake-bites are from the official re-
turns to the India Government, and published by Dr. Fayrer:
No. 1. A woman, æt. 36; bitten by a snake; kind not
known; died in 28 hours. She was treated by incantations,
charms, and native drugs.
No. 2. A man, æt. 58, bitten probably by a Cobra; died
26
22
* Regnault's Chem., II, p. 746.
† See Thanatophidia.

154
OPHIDIANS.
a
in 1 hour 30 minutes. Received no treatment; complained
of much pain in the wound; rigor mortis occurred 8 hours
after death.
No. 3. Man, æt. 32; kind not known; died in 42 hours;
treatment same as No.1. Autopsy showed a semi-fluid blood
containing clots.
No. 4. Boy, æt. 12; kind not known; died in 18 hours;
treated by the Kabirájes. Autopsy showed fluid blood.
No. 5. A man, æt. 46; kind unknown; probably a Bun-
garus c., or Krait; dead in 10 hours; treated same as No. 1.
Autopsy gave fluid blood.
No. 6. A boy, æt. 8; kind unknown; dead in 24 hours;
treatment same as No.1. Autopsy gave fluid blood, heart en-
tirely empty.
No. 7. A man, æt. 50; bitten by a Cobra ; died in 2 hours.
No. 8. A woman, æt. 30; kind unknown; dead in 10
hours; treatment same as No. 1.
No. 9. A boy, æt. 12; bitten by a Cobra ; dead in 30 min-
utes; treatment same as No. 1.
No. 10. A man, æt. 30; kind unknown; died at the expi-
ration of 6 days; treatment, hypodermic injections of liquid
ammonia. Autopsy revealed fluid blood; no rigor mortis en-
sued.
No. 11. A man, æt. 22; supposed to have been bitten by
a Krait; died in 8 hours; treatment same as No.1. Autopsy
showed the heart filled with fluid blood.
No. 12. A woman, with a child at breast; the mother died
A
in 4 hours; child died in two hours, supposed to have been
poisoned by the mother's milk; treatment same as No. 1.
The faces of both were livid and swollen, and a bloody froth
issued from their mouths and nostrils.
No. 13. A man, æt. 36; kind unknown; bitten on one
foot; was taken into the Jainser Dispensary, and treated by
a

CASES OF SNAKE BITES.
155
a
a strong caustic lotion and charcoal poultice applied to the
bitten part; cured in 22 days.
No. 14. A young man, æt. 18; bitten by a Chokoriah
Borah ; died in 26 hours, after vomiting a blackish fluid ; the
snake was supposed to have been a Crotalus.
No. 15. A boy, æt. 10; kind not known; died in 24 hours;
was treated by the Ozahs (snake-charmers).
No. 16. A boy, æt. 8; bitten by a Chokoriah Borah in the
foot; died in 31 hours; treated by the Ozals.
No. 17. A man, æt. 35; snake was probably a Trimeresurus;
was ill for a day and recovered.
No. 18. A young man, æt. 18; bitten by a Chokoriah Borah;
died in 26 hours; treated by the Ozahs; vomited a black
matter.
No. 19. A boy, æt. 16; kind of snake probably a Daboia;
died in 2 days.
No. 20. A girl, æt. 7; bitten by a Cobra ; died in 15 hours
30 minutes.
No. 21. A man, æt. 23; bitten by a Daboia ; died in 27
hours; the wound was scarified, and ammonia administered
at first; afterwards an opiate was given, and, after 24 hours
had elapsed, galvanic shocks were applied.* An autopsy
showed the heart to contain semi-fluid blood and clots; the
spleen was soft and easily broken up.
No. 22. A young man, æt. 19; probably a Trimeresurus;
was well in 36 hours. Treatment: a ligature, amm. aromat.,
tinct. opii; the bitten part was covered with ipecac. pulv.
and ammonia, and 5 minims liquor arsenicalis administered
every 6 hours. He was apparently well 3 hours after the
bite.
* Their application was made too long after the injection of the venom.
Why not have tried them at first?

156
OPHIDIANS.
No. 23. A woman, æt. 37; bitten by a Bungarus fasciatus;
was well in 24 hours. Treatment: liq. anm., internally; ex-
ternally, ipecac., amm., and chloroform.
No. 24. Captain S.; bitten by a Gyal or Hydrophis; died
in 71 hours. Treatment: internal doses of sulphuric ether,
tincture hyosc., camph., pulv. jalap, calomel, tincture Can-
nabis Ind., chloroform, amm. aromat., camph. Again: pulv.
ipecac., amm., hydrate of morphine and water ; brandy hav-
ing been administered freely during the whole course of
treatment.
No. 25. A sailor; bitten by a Hydrophis, 7 feet 6 inches in
length; died in less than 4 hours. Treatment: external appli-
cations of liq. amm., tinct. opii, and olive oil. He could
take nothing internally without vomiting it immediately.
No. 26. A female, æt. 26; bitten by a Krait, of the variety
called Chutah; died in 3 hours 30 minutes.
No. 27. A female, æt. 50; kind of snake not known; no
result; was treated by administrations of liq. amm.
No. 28. A sepoy; kind not known; recovered in 13 days;
was administered tinct. ferr, mur. Hæmaturia supervened,
but ceased after the lapse of 10 days.
No. 29. A young man; kind of snake not known; well
after 10 days. The bitten part was touched with nitrate of
silver ; a snake-stone applied to the wound would not stick.
On the fifth day an abundant hemorrhage supervened, which
ceased of itself.
No.30. A man; bitten by a Bungarus coer.; died in 63 hours.
Treatment: repeated doses of ammonia and brandy.
No. 31. A man; bitten by a Korite or Karite; died in 59
hours. Treatment: internal, ammonia and brandy; external,
applications of ammonia.
No. 32. A man; kind of snake not known; died in 59 hours.
Treatment same as No. 31.

CASES OF SNAKE - BITES.
157
No. 33. A boy, æt. 9; kind not known; died in 15 minutes.
No treatment. Forty drops of blood from this patient, in-
jected into the limb of a fowl, produced no apparent effect.
No. 34. A man, æt. 45; bitten by a Cobra; died in 15
minutes. Rigor mortis in 1 hour after death. No treatment.
No. 35. A man, æt. 32; kind of snake not known, but sup-
posed to be a Cobra; died in 3 hours; treated by an Ozah.
No. 36. A boy, æt. 15; snake was probably a Cobra; died
in 10 hours. Treatment same as No. 1.
No. 37. A young man, æt. 20; snake was probably a Cobra;
died in 1 hour 30 minutes. Treatment same as No. 1.
No. 38. A woman; kind of snake not known; died in about
3 hours. No treatment. Lungs intensely congested; no
rigor mortis.
No. 39. A woman; bitten by an adder, kind not known;
died same day. No treatment.
No. 40. A man, æt. 30; bitten by a supposed Cobra or
Krait; died in 14 hours. Treated with the usual charms and
incantations.
No. 41. A man, æt. 30; snake supposed to have been a
Krait; died in 12 hours.
No. 42. A man, æt. 27; bitten by a Krait ; died in 9 hours.
An autopsy showed coagulated blood in the body.
Nos. 43, 44, 45. Three men were forced to allow themselves
to be bitten by two Kraits and a Cobra ; one died in a few
hours, and the other two in the following day. Another man,
bitten at the same time, survived. The scoundrels who
caused these men's death were sentenced to five years' impris-
onment.
No. 46. A lad, æt. 14; snake was probably a Bungarus coer.;
died several hours thereafter.
No. 47. A young man, æt. 18; bitten by a Cobra; died in
3 hours. Treated by the Kabirajes.

158
OPHIDIANS.
No. 48. A man ; bitten by a Cobra ; well in 2 days; the
wound was incised with a knife, and cauterized with strong
nitric acid. He was dosed freely with brandy. The snake
was caught, and made to bite a fowl, which died in 41
minutes.
No. 49. A female, æt. 32; kind of snake not known; died
in 3 hours.
No. 50. A man, æt. 27; kind of snake not known; died in
34 hours.
No. 51. A woman, æt. 50; bitten by a Cobra; died in 3
hours. Treatment same as No. 1.
No. 52. A man, æt. 30; bitten by a Chundra Bora or Da-
boia; died in 7 hours. Treatment same as No. 1.
No. 53. A man, æt. 55; bitten by a Bora; died in 9 days.
No. 54. A man, æt. 50; snake said to have been a Cobra;
died in 17 hours. Treatment same as No. 1.
No. 55. A man, æt. 60; kind of snake unknown; died in
30 minutes.
No. 56. A boy, æt. 3; bitten by a Cobra ; died in 1 hour.
No. 57. A girl, æt. 15; bitten by a Cobra ; died in 3 hours.
No. 58. A woman, æt. 27; bitten by a Cobra ; died in 1 hour
30 minutes. Treated by charms and incantations.
No. 59. A man, æt. 35; kind of snake not known; died in
24 hours.
No. 60. A woman, æt. 26; bitten by a Cobra; died very
shortly after.
No. 61. A man ; kind of snake not known; died in 2 hours.
2
No treatment.
No. 62. A man, æt. 35; bitten by a Cobra ; died in 1 hour.
No treatment.
No. 63. A man; kind of snake not known; died in 8 hours.
Treated by the Kabirájes.
No. 64. A girl, æt. 12; kind of snake not known; died in
less than 2 hours.
a

SUMMARY OF CASES.
159
No. 65. A man, æt. 33; bitten by a Bungarus coer. ; died in
6 hours. Treated by the natives.
A greater number of cases of bites could be given, but they
are only repetitions of those already noted.
Summary of the Preceding Cases of Bites.
Sex.
Variety.
Sex.
Variety.
Age.
| Days.
Hours.
Age.
Days.
Hours.
Minutes.
...
6
142...
.
66
(6
66
...
..
.
10 ...
30 Boy,
4 ... Boy,
10 ...
66
36
(cured), 22 .......
26)...
66
1. Woman, 36 Not known (Dab.),
28 ... Man,
Hydr.
4
Man.
58 Cobra,
1 30 Woman,
3 30
26 Krait,
32 Not known,
50 Not known,
[no result.
Boy,
12
18 ... Man,
[well in 13 days.
1
5. Man,
46
(Kr.), 10 ... Young man,
10 days.
8
Boy,
(Dab.), 24...
Bung. c. (Kr.), 631...
2
Man,
50 Cobra,
59
Karite (Kr.),
Woman,
59 ...
30 Not known (Kr.),
Not known (Kr.),
Boy,
12 Cobra,
9 Sup. Cobra,
15
10. Man,
30 Not known,
6 ....
Man,
15
45 Cobra,
22 Krait,
8
32 Sup. Cobra,
3
Woman,
Not known (Kr.),
15 Cobra,
Her child,
2... Young man, 20
1 30
Man,
3
Woman,
Sup. Cobra,
Young man, 18 Ch. Bor.,
Adder,
12 ...
24
Boy,
14 ...
10 Sup. (Dab.)
Man, 30 Sup. Krait,
8 Ch. Bor.,
131
30 Krait,
12
recov'd
35 Trim. (Dab.),
27
9...
Man,
Young man, 18 Ch. Bor. (su'd), 26
Cobra,
Boy, 16 Sup. Dab.,
.24 ...
2
2. Men,
Krait,
Girl,
7 Cobra,
15 30 Boy,
sev'l hrs
14 Bung. c. (Kr.),
Man, 23 Dab.
27 ... Young man, 18 Cobra,
... 31...
Young man, 19 Trim. (Dab.), ... 36 ... Man,
[well in 2 days.
Woman, 37 Bung. f., [well in 24 hrs. Woman, 32 Sup. cobra,
Man,
34
Hydr.,
... 71... Man,
27 Not known,
Woman, 50 Cobra,
3
24 ...
35 Sup. Dab.,
45
Man,
30 Dab.,
71
26 Cobra,
Woman,
50
9
Man,
Sup. Cobra,
50 Cobra,
17
1...
60 Supd. Cobra.,
30
Sup. Kr.,
8 ...
Boy,
3 Cobra,
1
2
Girl, 12 Sup. Cobra,
15
6. ...
3... Man,
33 Bung. c. (Kr.),
Woman, 27
1 30
66
66
[A few hours.
..
<<
3 ..
.
.
...
2...
35 Cobra,
66
...
Girl,
<<
...

160
OPHIDIANS.
6
Classifying these, gives by Cobra-bites 24 cases, as follows:
2 cases of 15 minutes each. 5 cases of 3 hours each
2 " 30
1 case of a few hours.
1
45
1
10 hours.
2
1 hour each.
1
15 hours 30 minutes.
3
1 hour 30 min. each. 1
17 hours.
3
2 hours each.
1 case recovered.
CU O N N N
66
66
In 18 cases, death ensued in from 15 minutes to 3 hours ;
and in the remaining cases, from a few hours (5 or 6) to 17
hours ensued.
The short time in some cases (marked not known) seems to
refer the deaths to Cobra poison, and they are classified ac-
cordingly.
By Krait-bites there are 16 cases, divided as follows, viz. :
66
1 case of 2 hours.
1
3 hours 30 minutes.
1
4
2
10 each.
1
12
1
14
1
63
1 case of 6 hours.
2
8 each.
1
9
1
several hours.
1
24 hours.
2
59 each.
Nine cases varied from 2 to 10 hours. Six cases varied from
12 to 63 hours. In one case death ensued in a few hours;
and it is remarkable that not a single case known to have been
a Krait is reported as having recovered.
The most remarkable case is that of the child of the woman
in Case 12, which died in two hours from the poison in the
milk sucked from its mother's breast; while the mother did
not succumb till 4 hours had elapsed after the injection of the
poison.
But one case of Bungarus fasciatus bite is recorded, and in
which the patient is reported to have recovered.
Bites by the Hydrophis are recorded in two cases, in one

EXPERIMENTS WITH SNAKE - POISON.
161
of which death ensued in 4 hours, and in another in 71 hours;
the latter case having undoubtedly been prolonged by the
constant and repeated administration of brandy.
In India it is believed that no bite of the Hydrophis is
known to have recovered.
Of bites by the Daboia (Crotalidæ), nine cases occur :
1 case of 7 hours.
2
24 each.
1
27
1
28
1 case of 36 hours.
1
2 days.
1
9 66
1
recovered.
This gives 6 cases ranging from 7 to 36 hours, and one case
of 2 and another of 9 days.
Although Dr. Fayrer classifies the poisons in the following
order of deadliness : 1st, Cobra ; 2d, Daboia ; 3d, Hama-
dryad; 4th, Bung. cærul. (Krait); 5th, Bungarus fasciatus;
6th, Echis; 7th, Crotalidæ ; 8th, Callophis; yet, judging by
the length of time in which death ensued, they stand thus,
viz.: No. 1, Cobra ; No. 2, Krait ; No. 3, Hydrophis; No. 4,
Daboia ; and the cases marked unknown, afford no clue for
classification. They vary from 12 hours, 18 hours, and 31
hours, to 42 hours; and from 2 days to 6 and 9 days. In 1
case the bite produced "no result;" and in 5 cases recovery
“
ensued in respectively 24 hours, 2 days, 10 days, 13 days, and
22 days.
EXPERIMENTS WITH SNAKE-POISON.
-
The following experiments were made with snake-poison
on animals; some trials of different antidotes are also given.
Experiment No. 1. A full-grown Pariah dog was bitten by
a Cobra; died in 26 minutes, although previous to the bite he
had been made to eat 5 leaves of the Aristolochia Indica.
No. 2. A fowl. Cobra poison injected into the thigh ; died
14

162
OPHIDIANS.
a
in 3 hours, although it had eaten some of the leaves of the
Aristolochia Indica. The blood of No 1 showed no changes
under the microscope; but that of No. 2 contained several
large granular bodies in distinct cells.
No. 3. A full-grown Ptyas mucosus (Rat snake), five feet in
length, was bitten by a Cobra ; no apparent result ensued.
No. 4. A full-grown Cobra was made to bite another
Cobra ; no apparent result.
No. 5. A full-grown Pariah dog was bitten by a Cobra ;
dead in 30 minutes.
No. 6. A pup, 3 months old, had a small quantity of Cobra
,
poison injected into the thigh at 9.07 A.M.; sleep and drowsi-
ness supervened, but at 2 P.M. he appeared quite well again.
No. 7. A fowl had a portion of the poison used in No. 6
injected into its body; dead in 1 hour.
No. 8. A pigeon had some of the same poison injected into
the thigh ; dead in 23 minutes. No alteration in the blood
could be detected under the microscope.
No. 9. The pup of Experiment No. 6 had a larger quantity
of the same poison injected into the other thigh at 9.02 A.M.
At 11 A.M. drowsy; 12.30 vomits a dark-colored fluid ; at
12.55 P.M. falls on his side and gasps for breath. Gave him
10 minims sulphuric ether; at 1.33 another dose of ether; at
1.45 pulse 175; 2 P.M. dose of ether; 2.36 pulse 26. Con-
vulsions at 3 P.M. or in 6 hours, dead.
No change could be detected in the blood under the micro-
scope with a 2 and 30 inch object-glass.
25
50
Action of Cobra Poison on Cold-blooded Animals.
Experiment No. 10. A full-grown (8 feet long) Ptyas mu-
cosus (Dhamin), bitten in 3 places by a Cobra, two-thirds
grown. No change could be detected at the end of three

EXPERIMENTS WITH SNAKE-POISON.
163
days, at which time the wounds produced by the bite had
healed up; the snake died in 7 days (Dr. Fayrer adds) with-
out any apparent cause! (?)
No. 11. A lizard, Varanus flavescens or Gohsamp, was
bitten in two places by a Cobra 6 feet in length; dead in 3
hours 22 minutes.
No. 12. The Cobra used in Experiment No. 9 was bitten by
a darker-colored Cobra ; no apparent result.
No. 13. A Pty muc (6 feet long) was bitten by the Cobra
of Experiment No. 11; died in 46 to 48 hours.
No. 14. A large bullfrog (Rana tig.), was bitten twice by
a Cobra ; no apparent result.
In Experiments Nos. 10, 11, 13, no change in the blood
could be detected under the microscope.
Action of the Poisons of the Cobra and Bungarus Fasciatus on
Warm- and Cold-blooded Animals; also the Influence of
Carbolic Acid on Snakes.
No. 15. A fish (Ophio. mar.), 14 inches long, was bitten
near the tail by a Cobra ; died in 50 minutes.
No. 16. A dog was bitten by a Bungarus fasciatus, full-
grown, in two places on the thigh ; died in about 74 hours.
No. 17. A young mongoose (Herpestes malacceissis) was
bitten three times by a full-grown Cobra ; died in 26 minutes ;
convulsions supervened in three minutes after the bite.
No. 18. A Ptyas mucosus, bitten by a large Cobra; no
effect.
No. 19. A Ptyas mucosus, bitten by a large Cobra ; no
effect.
No. 20. A cat bitten by the Cobra of Experiment No. 17;
dead in 1 hour 30 minutes.
No. 21. A dog, bitten by a Bungarus fasciatus, 6 feet long;

164
OPHIDIANS.
died in 21 days, although on the day following the bite he
seemed perfectly well and ate well.
No. 22. A cat, bitten by a Bungarus fasciatus, in the thigh ;
died the following day.
No. 23. A large mongoose, bitten by a large Cobra ; no
apparent effect.
No. 24. A Cobra, bitten by a large Bungarus fasciatus; no
effect.
No. 25. A Cobra, bitten by another Cobra ; no apparent
effect.
No. 26. A mongoose, put into a cage with two Cobras ; bit
them and was bitten in turn; but when taken out on the next
1
day one of the Cobras bit him on the thigh, when he died
shortly thereafter.
No. 27. A large Cobra had a few drops of carbolic acid
put into its mouth ; a spasmodic action in the whole body
ensued; dead in 20 minutes.
No. 28. A few drops of carbolic acid were poured on the
floor of a cage containing a large Bungarus fasciatus; a drop
fell on its head; it became convulsed, remained motionless
for 5 or 6 minutes, and in 10 minutes death ensued.
Action of the Cobra Poison on Animals, and the Influence of
Carbolic Acid on the Cobra and Frog.
No. 29. A Cobra was made to bite another Cobra in the
head and mouth; no apparent result was produced.
No. 30. A Cobra was made to bite a large bullfrog; died
in 1 hour 15 minutes.
No. 31. A large Ptyas mucosus was bitten by a large
Cobra; no effect.
No. 32. A large Varranus flavescens, bitten by a Cobra in
the mouth and thigh; died in less than 48 hours.

EXPERIMENTS WITH SNAKE - POISON.
165
No. 33. A fowl had Cobra poison injected into its thigh;
died in 4 minutes.
No. 34. A large bull had 10 drops of Cobra poison injected
into his body; died in 28 minutes.
No. 35. A large Cobra was administered one drop of car-
bolic acid ; convulsions in two minutes; at 4.34 apparently
helpless; recovered in 24 hours.
No. 36. A small Cobra was administered same dose; died
in 5 minutes.
No. 37. A large frog (Rana tig.) had 2 drops of carbolie
acid poured on his head; died in 25 minutes.
No. 38. A large Ptyas mucosus had 10 drops of Cobra
poison injected under the mucous membrane of the mouth;
no apparent effect.
No. 39. A Paddy-bird (Ardea leucoptera) was bitten by a
Bungarus fasciatus in the thigh ; died in 1 hour 30 minutes ;
the bird was given to a wild cat, which ate it, without any
apparent ill effect.
No. 40. Another Paddy-bird had poison of the Cobra in-
jected in the wing; died in 20 minutes; the bird was given
to a dog, who ate it, without any apparent result.
No. 41. A full-grown Pariah dog was bitten by a Daboia ;
died in 1 hour 13 minutes; this dog died without convulsions
and without apparent pain.
No. 42. Another dog bitten by a large Daboia died in 1
hour 15 minutes.
No. 43. A kite was bitten by the same snake in the wing;
appeared affected by the poison for an hour, but this wore off,
and the next day it was well.
No. 44. A kite was bitten by a Daboia in the thigh ; died
in 19 minutes; no microscopical change could be detected in
the blood.

166
OPHIDIANS.
a
No. 45. A Daboia, full grown, was bitten by a Cobra; no
effect.
No. 46. A large dog was bitten by a Daboia in the hind
leg (same snake of Experiment No. 45); died in 3 hours; a
profuse mucous discharge from the stomach and of blood and
mucus from the bowels after the bite. Three doses of a sup-
posed antidote given at intervals of 7 to 10 minutes.
No. 47. A young pig bitten in the leg by a Cobra ; died
in 13 minutes.
No. 48. A Grass Snake bitten by a Cobra (No. 47); dead
in 13 minutes.
No. 49. Two harmless Tree Snakes bitten by the same
Cobra; died in 7 minutes and 9 minutes.
No. 50. A Dhamin bitten by the same Cobra; died in 6
hours 45 minutes.
On the influence of the Poisons of the Cobra and Daboia,
and Strychnia as an antidote.
No. 51. A Bungarus fasciatus bitten by a Cobra ; died in
29 hours; other experiments of one Cobra's biting another
gave no result.
No. 52. A harmless snake (Dendrophis) bitten twice by a
Cobra; died in 41 minutes.
No. 53. A harmless snake bitten by Cobra No. 51; died
in 36 minutes.
No. 54. A large dog bitten by a black Cobra in the thigh ;
immediate injection of a solution of half a grain of strychnia
near the bitten place; tetanic spasms in 5 minutes; died in
6 minutes.
No. 55. A large Pariah dog bitten by a black Cobra in the
thigh ; immediate injection of strychnia solution in bitten
part; died in 6 minutes.

EXPERIMENTS WITH SNAKE-POISON.
167
No. 56. A large cat was bitten by a Daboia; injections of
solution of strychnia, as in previous experiments; died in 7
minutes,
No. 57. A large Rat Snake was bitten by a Cobra ; died in
2 hours 27 minutes.
No. 58. A large Cobra had a solution of strychnia injected
into its body; died in 14 minutes.
No. 59. A large Cobra had 15 drops of Cobra poison in-
jected into its body; died in 29 minutes.
No. 60. A large Cobra had 15 drops of his own poison in-
jected into its body; no apparent effect.
No. 61. A large Cobra had 12 drops of partly its own and
partly another's poison injected into its body; died in 5 hours
40 minutes.
No. 62. A large Cobra had 25 drops of poison from an-
other Cobra injected into the body 8 inches from the head;
no apparent effect.
No. 63. A fowl bitten by a Daboia in the thigh; died in
1 minute 30 seconds; death was preceded by violent con-
vulsions.
No. 64. A fowl had half a drop of No. 63 injected into its
thigh; dead in 2 minutes 10 seconds ; death was preceded by
paralysis and lethargy.
Several more experiments of injecting Cobra poison into
Cobras produced no apparent effects.
No. 65. A Cobra had an injection of 10 drops of carbolic
acid in the neck; dead in 5 minutes.
Experiments with the Poisons of the Cobra and Daboia on
horses and other animals.
No. 66. A large dog, bitten by a Daboia in the hind leg,
showed signs of the poison in about 5 minutes; disinclined

168
OPHIDIANS.
to move in 43 minutes; died in 1 hour 6 minutes; not the
slightest change could be detected in the blood under the
microscope.
No. 67. A dog bitten by a Daboia ; died in 8 hours 11
minutes. The blood in both these experiments was perfectly
fluid 14 hours after death.
No. 68. A pig bitten twice by a Cobra; died in less than
3 hours; blood was firmly coagulated 1 hour after death.
No. 69. A small Ptyas mucosus bitten by a Cobra; died
in 21 minutes.
No. 70. A mare, with paraplegia, bitten by a Cobra ; died
in 1 hour 20 minutes.
No. 71. A horse, 27 years old, paraplegic; bitten by a
Daboia ; died in less than 12 hours.
No. 72. A bay gelding, paraplegic; bitten by a Daboia
near the right jugular vein; died in 11 hours 45 minutes.
No. 73. A mare, 27 years old, paraplegic; bitten by a
Cobra; died in 1 hour 20 minutes; no possible change could
be detected in the blood under the microscope.
Other trials of Cobra-bites on Cobras and Daboias were
made without effect.
No. 74. A fowl was bitten by a Cobra; died in 1 minute
40 seconds.
No. 75. Thirty drops of blood from fowl No. 74 were in-
jected into the thigh of another fowl ; death ensued in 3 hours
50 minutes.
No. 76. Another fowl had the blood of No. 75 injected into
the thigh; no apparent effect.
No. 77. A fowl bitten by a Cobra ; died in 50 seconds.
No. 78. A fowl had a syringeful of blood from No. 77 in-
jected into the thigh; dead in 2 hours 46 minutes.

EXPERIMENTS WITH SNAKE-POISON.
169
a
;
Other experiments of Cobra-bites in fowls produced death
in 8 minutes 15 seconds and 34 seconds.
Daboia-bites in fowls produced death in 45 seconds and 35
seconds.
No. 79. A cat had 5 drops of Cobra poison, diluted with
10 drops of water, injected into the leg; died in 1 hour 57
minutes 15 seconds.
No. 80. A fowl bitten by a Cobra was dead in 34 seconds.
No. 81. A fowl had two syringefuls of blood from fowl
No. 80 injected into the thigh; died in 3 hours 33 minutes.
No. 82. A chicken had 25 drops of blood from No. 81
injected into its thigh; it died 9 days thereafter greatly ema-
ciated.
No. 83. A fowl inoculated with Oph. elaps poison; died
in about 45 minutes; the blood of this fowl injected into an-
other fowl produced no apparent effect.
No. 84. A Cobra bit another Cobra which was afterwards
bitten by a Daboia; it died in 3 hours 22 minutes.
No. 85. A muskrat had 4 drops of the blood of a fowl
(which had been killed by a Cobra-bite) injected into its hind
quarters; it ate a portion of the fowl from which the blood
had been taken, and died in about 12 hours.
No. 86. A fish bitten by a Cobra; died in 20 minutes.
No. 87. A snail bitten by a Cobra ; died in 32 minutes.
No. 88. Three chickens bitten by a Cobra ; died respec-
tively in 3 minutes 10 seconds, 5 minutes 30 seconds, and 4
minutes 30 seconds.
No. 89. A dog bitten by a Cobra; died in 1 hour 3 min-
utes.
No. 90. A dog bitten by a Daboia; died in 44 minutes,
No. 91. A fowl had one leg firmly bound by a ligature and
was bitten below the latter by a Cobra; dead in 16 minutes,
a
15

170
OPHIDIANS.
No. 92. A dog bitten by a Bungarus fasciatus; died in 4
hours 28 minutes.
No. 93. A fowl bitten by the same snake; died in 26
minutes.
No. 94. Two fowls bitten by a Bungarus fasciatus; died
respectively in 17 minutes, and 1 hour 55 minutes.
Several other experiments were made of Bungarus by Cobra,
Daboia by Cobra, and Cobra by Cobra ; without giving any
apparent result.
No. 95. A full-grown dog bitten by a Cobra had one
drachm of liquor ammonia diluted with water injected into
the femoral vein; dead in 44 minutes 15 seconds.
No. 96. A large dog had 1 drachm of liquor ammonia,
sp. gr. 959 B. P., injected into the femoral vein at 2.48 P.m.;
at 2.49 howled loudly; cannot stand up; 2.50, convulsive
twitchings in whole body; 2.57, lying quiet, no tremor; 3.13
P.M., sitting up apparently well.
No. 97. A large dog bitten by a Cobra, had 4 minims liquor
ammonia injected into femoral vein immediately before the
bite; in 30 minutes no apparent effect from the ammonia; had
another injection ; died in 48 minutes after the bite.
No. 98. A fowl had 20 minims liquor ammonia injected
into femoral vein, and was then bitten by a Cobra; immediate
convulsions and death.
No. 99. A fowl had liquor ammonia injected into the thigh;
no apparent effect.
No. 100. A dog bitten by a Cobra, had 40 minims liquor
ammonia injected into the left jugular vein; twenty minutes
afterwards had 20 minims more injected; dead in 25 minutes.
Several further experiments of hypodermic injections of
liquor ammonia, in cases of Cobra-bites, proved them of no
efficacy whatever.

EXPERIMENTS WITH SNAKE-POISON. .
171
Injections of other Substances, Liquor Potassa, Solution
of Quinia, Cauterization, &c.
No. 101. A dog had an injection of 40 drops of Condy's
liquor potassæ permanganatis* into the jugular vein, after
which he was bitten by a Cobra; two more injections of the
liquor were given, but death ensued in 37 minutes.
No. 102. A dog bitten by a Cobra in the thigh had 60
drops of a solution of quinia injected into the jugular vein;
dead in 11 minutes.
No. 103. A pigeon had 15 drops of a mixture, composed of
equal parts of Cobra poison and liquor ammonia, injected into
the thigh; dead in 2 minutes.
No. 104. A dog had 10 drops of Cobra poison injected into
the jugular vein ; immediately thereafter an injection of 60
drops liquor ammonia into the same vein ; dead in 1 minute
10 seconds.
No. 105. A dog had a leg ligatured, and was bitten by a
Cobra below the ligature; the wound was immediately cauter-
ized by red-hot steel points; dead in 1 hour 43 minutes.
No. 106. Another dog bitten and treated in the same way;
died in 35 minutes.
No. 107. Five fowls bitten by Cobras; died respectively in
3 minutes, 10 minutes, 11 minutes, 17 minutes, and 22 minutes.
No. 108. Same Cobra bit a pigeon ; died in 45 minutes ;
a fowl died in 1 hour 39 minutes ; another fowl was bitten,
fell, and was motionless for some time, but finally recovered.
In the preceding experiments, Nos. 107 and 108, the vemon
was exhausted with the bite of the seventh animal.
No. 109. A fowl was bitten by a Daboia ; carbolic acid
was applied to the wound; dead in 1 minute.
* An injection recommended by Dr. Shortt of Madras.

172
OPHIDIANS.
No. 110. A fowl had a leg, bound by a ligature, bitten by
a Cobra below it; carbolic acid was applied to the wound;
no apparent effect from the poison at the expiration of 15
minutes ; ligature was removed; died in 13 minutes there-
after, or in 28 minutes after the bite.
No. 111. A fowl had a ligature of a soaped cord tied
around its leg, and drawn as tight as a strong man could draw
it; the part below the ligature was bitten by a Cobra ; fowl
died in 44 minutes.
No. 112. A dog bitten by an Echis carinata ; died in 93
hours.
No. 113. A fowl bitten by the same snake; died in 4
minutes.
No. 114. A fowl bitten by the same snake; died in 4 hours
7 minutes.
No. 115. A pup, 3 months old, bitten by an Ophiophagus
7 feet long; died in 1 hour 12 minutes.
No. 116. An old bull was bitten by a Cobra; the wound
was rubbed with a fowl's liver, and a Tanjore pill admin-
istered; he recovered.
No. 117. A fowl bitten by the Cobra of Experiment
No. 116; died in 10 minutes.
No. 118. A goat bitten by a Cobra had a fowl's liver rubbed
on the bite and a Tanjore pill given; it recovered.
No. 119. A fowl bitten by the same Cobra had a Tanjore
pill rubbed on the wound, and several other pills administered;
dead in 6 minutes 40 seconds.
No. 120. A fowl bitten by a Hydrophis (salt-water snake);
died in 14 minutes.
No. 121. Another fowl bitten by same snake; died in 17
minutes.
No. 122. Another fowl bitten by a Hydrophis; died in 9
minutes.
a
a

EXPERIMENTS WITH SNAKE - POISON.
173
No. 123. A dog bitten by a Hydrophis; died in 1 hour.
No. 124. A fowl had the blood of No. 123 injected into its
body; died in 12 hours.
Different kinds of poisons, namely, Cobra, Daboia, Ophio-
phagus, and Echis, applied to the conjunctiva of different
animals, produced intense local inflammation, but in no case
death.
The composition of the Tanjore pill* is as follows, viz.:
Equal quantities of Arsenic (white); Nervalam almonds (a
narcotic); Root of Velli-navi (a purgative); Pepper; Root
of Neri-visham (a purgative); Mercury. Mix and rub the
Mercury with the
sap
of the Wild Cotton (Asclepias gigantea,
Linn.), until the globules disappear entirely.
The dogs used in the preceding experiments were all full-
grown Pariahs, a large bony animal common in India.
* Buffon's Natural History, vol. lxxxiii, p. 87.

174
OPHIDIANS.
Summary of the Preceding Experiments with Poisons.
Animals
used.
Kind of Poison.
Caused
death in
Animals
used.
Kind of Poison.
Caused
death in
(6
66
4
66
6
65
66
66
66
Dog,
Cobra,
26 minutes. Bull, Cobra inj'd, 28 minutes.
Fowl,
(Arist. ind.), 3
Cobra, Carbolic acid adm., rec'd in 24 h.
Pty. muc.,
No result.
5 minutes.
Cobra,
Frog,
ext'l 25
Dog,
30 minutes. Pty.m.,
Cobra inj'd,
No effect.
Pup,
Recovered. Paddy-bird, Bung. f.,
1 hr. 30 min.
Fowl,
1 hour.
Cobra inja, 20 minutes.
Pigeon,
23 minutes, Dog, Daboia,
1 br. 13 min.
Pup,
6 hours.
1 hr. 15 min.
Pty.m.,
% grown, 7 days. Kite,
Recovered.
Lizard,
3 hrs 22 min.
19 minutes.
Cobra,
No result. Daboia, Cobra,
No effect.
Pty m.,
48 hours.
Dog,
Daboia,
3 hours.
Bullfrog,
No result. Pig, Cobra,
13 minutes.
Fish,
50 minutes. Grass snake,
13
Dog,
Bung. f.,
174 hours. Tree snake,
17
Mongoose, Cobra,
26 minutes.
9
Pty.m.,
No effect. Dhamin,
6 hrs.45 min.
Bung. f.,
29 hours.
1 hr. 30 min. Harmless sn
41 minutes.
Bung. f.,
2 dys. 12 hrs.
36
24 hours.
Dog,
16
Mongoose, Cobra,
No effect.
P. dog,
Cobra, Bung. f.,
Cat,
Daboia,
17
Cobra,
Rat snake, Cobra,
2 hrs.27 min.
Mongoose,
Short time. Cobra, Strychnia injd, 14 minutes.
Cobra, Carbolic acid, 20 minutes.
Cobra injid,
Bung. f.,
10
Cob. p. 15 dr. inj'd, No effect.
Cobra,
Cobra,
No result.
12 dr. 5 hrs. 40 min.
Bullfrog,
1 hr. 15 min.
66
6
Cat,
Dog,
Cat,
66
29
66
66
No effect.
Pty.m.,
No effect. Fowl, Daboia,
1 min 30 sec
Lizard,
48 hours.
Y dr. precg. one inj'a 2 min. 10 sec
Fowl,
inj'a, 4 minutes. Cobra, Carbolic acid, 5 minutes.
" inj'd,
66

SUMMARY OF EXPERIMENTS.
175
Summary of the Preceding Experiments—Continued.
Animals
used.
Kind of Poison.
Caused
death in
Animals
used.
Kind of Poison.
Caused
death in
6
Dog,
<<
6
<<
66
6
66
66
66
6
66
<
<<
co
<
«
<<
Dog,
Daboia,
1 hr. 6 min. Dog, Amm. inj'd, Recovered.
8 hr. 11 min.
Cobra,
48 minutes.
Pig,
Cobra,
3 hours.
Fowl,
S
Cobra, with inj'ts
1 minute.
Pty.m.,
21 minutes.
of liq. amm.,
Mare,
No effect.
1 hr. 20 min.
Liq. am. inj'd,
Horse,
25 minutes
Daboia,
12 hours.
Cobra,
37
11 hr. 45 min
11
Mare, Cobra,
1 hr. 20 min.
1. Fowl,
1 min. 40 sec
Pigeon, Mix.cob. and liq. am 2
Cobra injid,
2.
30drs. of prec.one inj 3 hr. 50 min. Dog,
1 min. 10 sec
Blood of No. 2 inj'd, No effect.
“ ligature
3.
“ wound cautr'zd 1 hr. 43 min.
35 minutes.
Cobra,
50 seconds.
Blood of precg inj'a, 2 hrs. 46 min 1. Fowl, Cobra,
3
Cobra,
8 min. 15 sec. 2.
Same cobra as No.1, 10
3.
11
Fowls,
34 seconds.
4.
17
Daboia,
45
35
5.
22
45
Cat, Cobra inj'd,
1hr. 57m. 15s. 6.
1. Fowl,
34 seconds.
7.
Cobra,
1 hr. 39 min.
2.
Blood prev. inja,
3 hrs. 33 min. 8.
Recovered.
3. Chicken. of No. 2 inj'd, 9 days.
Daboia,
1 minute.
Fowl, Ophioph. inj'd, 45 minutes.
“ liga. Cobr.,lig.rem. in 15m 28 minutes.
Cobra,
44
Cobra,
3 hrs. 22 min
Cobra,
Blood of a fowl
Dog,
9 hrs. 30 min
12 hours.
Fowl,
4 minutes.
Fish, Cobra,
20 minutes.
4 hrs. 7 min.
Snail,
32
Pup, 3 mos., Ophioph., 7 ft. long, 1 hr. 12 min.
Chicken,
3 min. 10 sec
Bull,
s Cobra,fowl's liver
Recovered.
5 min. 30 sec
and Tanjore pills.
4 min. 30 sec Fowl, Cobra, fowl's liver, 10 minutes.
1 hr. 3 min. Goat,
Tanj. pill, Recovered.
Daboia,
44 minutes. Fowl.
Cobra, Tanj. pill
6 min. 40 sec.
internal entirely,
Fowl, Cobra,
16
Hydroph.,
14 minutes.
Dog, Bung. f.,
4 hrs. 28 min
17
Fowl,
26 minutes.
9
17
Dog,
1 hour.
1 hr. 55 min.
CG
<<
(
Echis C.,
Muskrat
, {killed by Cobr. inj.
<<
66
C6
66
<<
Dog,
66
<
66
<
66
66
66
66
66
66
Blood precg. inj'd, 12 hours.
Cobra,
44 min.15sec
Fowl,
Dog,

176
OPHIDIANS.
a
а
a
Making in all 124 cases, which may be classified as follows,
viz.: Cobras bitten by Cobras, 5 cases; 4, no effect; one
case died in 3 hours 22 minutes. Cobras injected with Cobra
poison, 4 cases; one died in 29 minutes, another in 5 hours
40 minutes ; 2 cases recovered. Dogs bitten by Cobras, 11
cases, varying from 6 minutes to 1 hour 3 minutes; the
greater part of the cases, however, average from 25 minutes to
45 minutes. Of dogs injected with Cobra poison, one died in
1 minute 10 seconds. Dogs that had the ligature applied and
cauterized, one died in 1 hour 43 minutes, one in 35 minutes.
Fowls died in from 34 seconds to 3 hours.
In three separate experiments fowls died from injected blood
from fowls killed by Cobras; and in a third case a chicken died
in 9 days from injected blood of a fowl that had died from
injected blood of a fowl previously killed by a Cobra-bite.
This last case is one of the most interesting in the whole
series of experiments, as it seems to accord with Prof. Hal-
ford's theory of the poison containing a germinal matter, and
also of Dr. S. Weir Mitchell's theory of its nature as a ferment. *
Injections of liquor ammonia in fowls were not attended
with success in any case. In cases of ligatures applied to the
limb before the bite death occurred in 28 minutes, and 44 min-
utes, which shows that despite the compression of the arteries
and veins in the limb, a ligature cannot be put on so tightly
but that the poison will pass with great rapidity into the gen-
eral circulation, and produce death.
Carbolic acid was given to a Cobra; it recovered in one case,
but in all the remaining cases death ensued in 5 minutes, 20
minutes, and 25 minutes. The bull and the goat bitten by Co-
bras, which were treated by fowl's liver rubbed on the wound
and Tanjore pills administered, both recovered, although a
fowl treated in the same way died in 6 hours 40 minutes.
a
* See page 132

MICROSCOPICAL APPEARANCE OF COBRA-POISON. 177
In experiments made by Dr. Russell with the Daboia poison
it killed a dog in 26 minutes, and a chicken in 36 seconds.
The Cobra poison injected into the jugular vein is not known
to have produced death in less than 34 seconds.
Fig. 2 is from Fayrer's Thanatophidia, and is a sfigma
taken by Dr. D. Douglas Cunningham, of Bengal. Under
FIG. 2.
/
a
)
')) ? ๆ
LAV
A
j
1
Do
с
R3
0
1
WA
@ :
Appearance of the Cobra-poison under the microscope.
what magnifying power this appearance is exhibited is not
stated.
The poison-globules have the general appearance of spotted
disks and dots, lines and curves; a most peculiar obtuse

178
OPHIDIANS.
angle, formed by the junction of two straight lines, and other
groups of lines converging from common centres, suggest crys-
tals, as shown in Fig. 13.
MICROSCOPICAL SFIGMAS, SHOWING THE APPEARANCE OF THE
POISONS IN THE BLOOD OF A DOG AND OF A FOWL.
As taken by Dr. Douglas Cunningham, Bengal.
FIG. 3.
FIG. 4.
boo
090
COCO
330 diameters.
750 diameters.
FIG. 5.
FIG. 6.
oed
1080 diameters.
330 diameters.
Figs. 3, 4, and 5 show the microscopical sfigmas of Cobra-
poison in the blood of a dog.

MICROSCOPICAL SFIGMAS OF COBRA-POISON. 179
Figs. 6, 7, and 8 show the microscopical sfigmas of the
Vipera Daboia Russellii poison in the blood of a dog.
a
FIG. 7.
FIG. 8.
CD
21
750 diameters.
1080 diameters.
FIG.9.
FIG. 10.
0
330 diameters.
1080 diameters.
Figs. 9 and 10 show the microscopical sfigmas of the Cobra-
poison in the blood of a fowl.
a

180
OPHIDIANS.
Figs. 11 and 12 show the microscopical sfigmas of the Daboia
poison in the blood of a fowl.
FIG. 11.
FIG. 12.
0
22
C
0
00000
@ @
0
330 diameters.
1080 diameters.
Study of the Sfigmas.
Fig. 3 does not show a single poison-globule or corpuscle
in the field. Fig. 4 exhibits two disk-like corpuscles, with an
adjacent blood-globule which has a double-lined periphery, and
several others of a similar appearance in other parts of the
field ; a greater proportion of the blood-corpuscles remain
unaffected. In Fig. 5, under a power of 1080, only three or
four of the blood-globules are not changed in appearance, and
the oblique figures are wanting. Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 all ex-
hibit parallelograms and the oblique figures under the three
different powers used, but only Fig. 7 shows a poison-globule
in the field; each one, however, has corpuscles evidently
changed by the poison, as indicated by large numbers of them
with the double-lined periphery. In Figs. 9 and 10 the
poison-corpuscles are much more abundant, and the appear-
ance indicates a much greater decomposition of the blood
than in any of the other sfigmas. The poison-corpuscle in
Fig. 12, although of the same kind as in Fig. 7, yet has a

STUDY OF THE SFIGMAS. .
181
regular periphery like that of the Cobra-poison in Fig. 4.
The periphery of that seen in Fig. 7 is irregular, but still so
similar to certain disks in Fig. 2 in appearance, that the only
apparent difference in the microscopical appearance of the two
kinds of poison is the close grouping of small corpuscles seen
in Fig. 12, which is wanting in all the others, and only seen
under a power of 1080.
The following, Figs. 13 and 14, are from Dr. S. Weir Mitch-
ell's “Researches upon the Venom of the Rattlesnake.”
Fig. 13. These crystals were obtained by diluting the venom
and allowing the mixture to dry slowly, sheltered by a cover-
FIG. 13.
a
al
Crystals deposited from the diluted venom of the C. confluentus, by Prof.
Hammond.
glass. The crystals thus formed resemble those of ammoniaco-
magnesian phosphate, which affect the feathery form of
crys-
tallization.
The white deposit was composed chiefly of amorphous,

182
OPHIDIANS.
granular matter, with a few pavement epithelial cells, com-
pound granular bodies of an oleaginous character, and finally
of the peculiar masses known and described as colloid
bodies,* and in appearance so much resembling starch gran-
ules as to have induced me to neglect them at first, supposing
them to be really that substance accidentally present. These
corpuscular bodies were marked with delicate radiating lines.
Iodine stained them a yellowish-brown. They were doubt-
less due to some concrete modification of albuminous material.
Occasionally, when the snake had been seriously maltreated,
the venom contained more or less blood. This sfigma serves
to elucidate certain appearances in Fig. 2: a, at are masses
of crystals which, under a higher power, would present a
similar appearance to the field in Fig. 13; b, bt are similar
groups, somewhat distorted; while c, ct are poison-corpuscles
or disks, upon which are seen the peculiar oblique-angled
crystals marked a, a, a, in Fig. 13.
Fig. 14 shows the ultimate effect of the venom upon mus-
cular fibre, made apparent by disturbing it mechanically. Dr.
Mitchell continues : “The final influence of the venom upon
muscular structure was extremely curious. In every instance
it softened it in proportion to the length of time during which
it remained in contact with it, so that after even a few hours
in warm-blooded animals, and after a rather longer time in
the frog, the wounded muscle became almost diffluent, and
assumed a dark color and somewhat jelly-like appearance.
The structure remained entire until it was pressed upon or
stretched, when it lost all regularity, and offered the appear-
* Wedl, Pathological Histology, Trans. of the Sydenham Society, pp.
38, 264, 271.
† Mitchell's Researches, &c.

EFFECT OF VENOM ON MUSCULAR FIBRE.
183
ance under the microscope of a minutely granular mass, dotted
with larger granules, as shown in Fig. 14.”
FIG. 14.
S.DE
PORVOO
-O0OTO
WO
O
POVORO SRR
ORDO
Appearance of muscular fibre after contact with venom. By S. Weir
Mitchell, M.D.
Structure of the Venom-Gland.
The sfigma shown in Fig. 15 gives the microscopical ap-
pearance of the structure of the venom-gland.
The coeca lie in the centre, and the ducts are disposed on
either side parallel to each other.
Outside of the cellular layer, the poison-duct is made up
principally of white fibrous tissue, with a small proportion of
very fine fibres of yellow elastic tissue. The walls of the duct
are provided throughout with an abundant supply of blood-
vessels. Its communication with the fang and the mode of
injection of the poison have been described on another page,
and any one desirous of knowing all the details of a minute
a

184
OPHIDIANS.
description of these parts is referred to Rymer Jones, article
“Reptilia,” Cyclopædia of Anatomy and Physiology; J. L.
Soubeiran, “De la Vipere,” Paris, 1855; and Owen, on the
“Skeleton and Teeth,” Philadelphia, 1854. A consultation
of these works, in connection with Dr. S. Weir Mitchell's
FIG. 15.*
b
DICA
ond
0
o
o
o
a, a. Secernent cæca. b, b, 6. Small ducts.
“Researches,” will furnish an exhaustive study of the subject
in reference to Ophidians provided with fangs.
I intend to publish, at a future day, a like study of the
same apparatus in poisonous serpents not provided with fangs;
such, for example, as the Vipera elaps corallinus.
It must always be borne in mind, however, in this connec-
tion, that there is a wide difference in many respects between
* Researches, &c., by Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, p. 13.

VIPERA PSEUDECHIS MAJOR.
185
poisonous reptiles in temperate zones or cold climates and
the same species in torrid zones. In the tropics, on the Andes
Mountains, for example, this fact is so plainly evident that,
by referring to the tabular list of snakes in Colombia, where
the same species occur first in some States, they occupy a sec-
ond, third, fourth, or fifth rank in other places or districts.
The cause of this is that in different localities the same snake
occurs in different isothermal zones. A Taya (Vipera pseud-
echis major), for instance, found at a height of 200 metres
above the sea-level, is much more venomous and invariably
holds a greater quantity of poison in deposit, than one found
on the Plains of Bogota, or at an elevation of 2300 metres.
The one would have its corresponding parts so arranged
and disposed as to hold a comparatively large quantity of
venom in a poison-bladder; while the other, requiring and
using a much smaller quantity, would have the duct from the
poison-gland to the fang slightly enlarged near its attachment
to the base of the latter, and consequently the poison-vesicle
would be wanting.
16

ANTIDOTES.
The following list of substances used by the Curers in
South America is copied from manuscript, and, together with
the “methods of cure,” these have been handed down from
one to another, in all probability for more than two hundred
years. Their use is of course purely empirical, but based
upon long years of study and experiment by men who made
these observations a specialty; many of them are ignorant,
unable to read or write, but occasionally one of their number
possessed these acquirements, and he pens down such addi-
tions or amendments as some venerable Curer may dictate to
him.
They keep their secrets among the fraternity, exercising a
sort of freemasonry, to which no one is admitted unless he
give proofs of considerable knowledge of what they call “ bru-
jería” or incantations.
My knowledge of animal magnetism and physics enabled
me to acquire quite a reputation among the common people
as a “ brújo,” which I profited by to gain the respect of the
Curers; and after trying experiments with snakes in their
presence several times, I was solicited" to submit to a test,”
to which I consented.
They have knowledge of the preparation of a powder whose
principal ingredient is made from the spawn of a frog (Bufo
sahytiensis), minute doses of which will produce death slowly
but surely; and as yet no autopsy or chemical analysis has

ANTIDOTES.
187
been able to detect the substance or determine the cause of
death in such cases.* They know an antidote for this sub-
stance, which is prepared by mixing other ingredients, of
little or no medicinal virtue, with the gall of the frog, or that
of the Vipera acuaticus carinata, or sometimes both. I had
tested the powder and the antidote on dogs, and with success,
and always carried the latter with me, with the expectation of
having to use it on myself some time.
I had reason to suspect this substance might be given me.
Nothing was said as to when or where the test would be made,
but one day I was called to see a cure of a snake-bite per-
formed by a celebrated Curer, and after the performance I
was asked to his house, where dinner was served up to us.
A glance of intelligence which passed between the man and
his wife, who at the time placed two plates of soup
before
us,
seemed to me to indicate my own dish as having been speci-
ally prepared. To call the old man's attention to a trifle in
the corner behind him, with the utmost apparent indifference,
enabled me to perform a sleight of hand trick in changing
plates, and a moment after I was savoring my plate of soup
quite sure that I had nothing to fear in partaking of the last
drop of it. The Curer's eye sparkled and lighted up in quite
an unusual way, only explained by the intense interest with
which he was "studying symptoms” in myself.
Soup and dinner over he proposed a game at cards, and we
were soon deeply interested in the charms of “retrúco," but
after half an hour coffee was brought in, and this put an end
to our "little game."
"
His
cup of the beverage had hardly passed his lips ere he
called for a lemon and some water, and inadvertently com-
plained of a slight burning pain in the stomach. He went
>
* Is not this the substance of which so much has been said and told,
which the Oriental doctors are said to prepare?

188
OPHIDIANS.
out of the room, and I overheard him ask the wife “if she
was sure that I had the right plate of soup set before me ?”
“Of course she had;" so he returned and invited me to take
a half hour in the hammock, which invitation I accepted, and
while I appeared to sleep, the “study of symptoms” rather
inclined to my side of the question. Severe colicky pains
were soon present and caused so much alarm, that I was called
to the side of the old man's couch to hear him say, "For the
love of God, what is the matter with me?” I replied,
“Nothing, of course, unless the plate of soup he intended for
me had something in it, otherwise if anything had been put in
it he ought to know what it was, for I had changed the plates
while his back was turned, and he had eaten all the soup
in-
tended for me.” I advised him “to take something” without
delay, and left the house, sending back to him a brother
Curer, and after two days he was out of danger. I was soon
thereafter admitted to the “ secrets of the brotherhood," and
thus obtained their secrets, which I was only to divulge for a
handsome remuneration. These are the “secret methods of
cure” which are published in continuation.
SUBSTANCES USED AS ANTIDOTES BY THE CURERS.
No. 1. La Jenerala,-a climbing plant.
2. La Capitana cascabel,—a climbing plant.
3. La Capitana chifladora,—a climbing plant.
4. La Cruceta de garfio,-leaves of a tree.
5. La Cruceta palo de yuca.
6. The fangs (pulverized) of the most poisonous snakes,
together with the bones of the same snake's head,
all well mixed together and added to the “Liga”
(see page 190).
7. Guaco de hoja peluda,-smooth-leaved guaco.
8. Guaco morado liso, smooth brown-leaved guaco.

ANTIDOTES.
189
-
-
-
-
No. 9. Guaco lisode hoja blanenzca,—white-leaved guaco.
.
10. Contra de la torcoral,-a plant.
11. Valdivia (la nuez),-a nut.
12. Sambita,-a plant.
13. Negrita,-a plant.
14. Plátano,—the plantain.
15. Cepa de guineo,-stalk of the banana.
16. Cedron (la nuez),-a nut (febrifuge).
17. Canelito,-bastard cinnamon.
18. Guanabanito,-a plant.
19. Armazuco,-a plant.
20. Carnestolenda, —a plant.
21. Escobilla menuda,-a plant.
22. Vara de sapo,-stalk of a plant.
23. Raiz del cojon-de-fraile,—a root.
24. Santa Maria,—a plant.
25. Contra-yerba,-a long grass.
26. Pepa del nispero,-kernel of the medlar.
27. La fabilla,-a stone of a fruit.
28. Colmillo de caiman,alligator's tusks pulverized.
29. Cuerno de ciervo,-stag's horn.
30. Suelda con suelda,-a plant.
31. Ruda,-Rue.
32. Polvo de pezuña de ganado masho, tostada.
33. Mostaza,-mustard.
34. Azufre,-sulphur.
35. Arponcito; alconcito,-Aristolochia Colombiana.
36. Solobasta,--Aristolochia Colombiana.
37. Estrella,-a plant.
38. Chupadora,-a kind of yuca.
39. Canela de sosa,—cinnamon.
40. Pepa de burro,-a fruit kernel.
41. Ojo de buei,-a fruit kernel.
a
-
-
-

190
OPHIDIANS.
Tinctures of these all mixed together form what is called
“Liga,” or “The League;" the most bitter antidotes are con-
sidered the most efficacious.
The plants named are found in certain localities in great
abundance, and those considered most efficacious by Curers in
certain places are always found in places infested by the most
venomous snakes.
The same substances are called by different names by the
different Curers, although scores of them have a manuscript
list, of which the above is an exact copy, except that the
botanical characteristics of the plants are written out in de-
tail.
a
.
a
The Curers are generally men void of all principle; shrewd;
cunning; ever ready to profit by any circumstance which can
be turned to their advantage, and as they have to do with a
people always inclined to superstitious belief; who attribute
everything to “La Suerte” (luck, chance, fatality); as an in-
evitable result, these men are in a position to make themselves
masters of any and every situation. They never forget an
insult or injury given (except in a fellow-curer or “ brujo,”),
and will wait patiently for years with the hope that sooner
or later they shall be called upon to cure a snake-bite in
their enemy, and if death is not imminent they soon make
it so by the administration or application of poisons they
keep on hand, and their long-treasured insult is revenged by
death.
They pass a great portion of their time in the woods and
forests ; find the hiding-places of the different snakes, and
study their habits and peculiarities; thus it is that their
knowledge is acquired from Nature herself, and not to be
despised, though purely empirical.
I have succeeded in inducing many of them to use the

ANTIDOTES.
191
galls of
galls of serpents, prepared and administered as recommended
on another page, and although they necessarily cling to many
“hocus pocus” manipulations and performances, yet now they
boast of never losing a case!
The first edition of the present work, published in 1870,
in Bogotá, serves many of them as a manual, and has initi-
ated a system of treatment in cases of snake-bites which is
gradually spreading itself throughout the entire country.
Some of the tribes of the North American Indians use the
serpents (mixed with decoctions of herbs of little or
no medicinal virtue), for curing bites; and the same may be
said of the San Blas (Isthmus of Darien) tribes, and also of
tribes in Venezuela, and in the valley of the Amazon.
A singular fact appears to be recognized in common by
Curers and the “medicine men” among the Indians.
When performing a cure, they are always particular to have
an old woman wait upon the patient, and explicitly forbid
and prohibit any young woman or a female whose menstrual
flow is present from approaching his bedside, as this is known
to cause an aggravation of the pains and augment the flow of
blood, if any hemorrhage exists ! I can attest to having
witnessed the truth of this fact in a great number of cases.
There is some psychological influence, some profound, un-
explained relation, existing between the menstrual flow in
woman and the serpent. I have seen in twò cases of preg-
nant women, and in one case of a young woman whose men-
strual flow was present, who stepped over a snake which was
crossing the road, by mere chance, while I was following a
few rods in the rear, came up to, and found the reptile winding
and coiling itself up, as though in great pain, soon cease the
violence of its movements, and appear to lose all power
of
locomotion, remaining semi-torpid for nearly an hour there-
after! This is a fact attested by hundreds of Curers, and

192
OPHIDIANS.
a
by as many persons of undoubted veracity, to which I add
my own evidence, without a shadow of doubt or hesitation,
Will Dr. Holmes, who has woven such a fascinatingly singu-
lar romance around psychological facts of a similar nature in
his novel, entitled “Elsie Venner,” please use his “deep-sea
lines” of mental acumen, and tell us “the reason why” of
this fact? A common element in the two beings is animal
magnetism! I believe few physiologists deny its having some
intimate and powerful influence upon the menstrual flow.
The snake, or its kind, is undoubtedly the most highly
charged with magnetism, or animal electricity, of any other
known reptile or animal, simply because its locomotive move-
ments are those most peculiarly adapted to the development
of this physical agent. Can it not be possible that this same
agent is more closely allied to (is it not, possibly, one and the
same thing as) the vital force itself, than is generally accepted
as a creed in physiology? Does the larger quantity of mag-
netic fluid in the woman possess a positive character, and dis-
charge itself upon the weaker and negative fluid of the reptile,
causing a shock which stupefies it for a time? Does not a
like shock cause conception between the male and female? Is
this magnetic fluid the vehicle through which vitality is
communicated to the germ which develops into a foetus?
Who will answer these queries?
Let us examine into some of the properties of the galls of
serpents.
A chemical analysis of these would probably give a com-
mon element as a base, although the human bile is known
to consist of cholic and choleic acids and cholesterin.
The poisons, as far as analyzed, give each its characteristic
element for a base.
This appears to be further indicated in the fact that a prep-
aration of the gall of a very venomous variety serves as a

ANTIDOTES.
193
perfect specific for the poison of its own class, and also for all
those varieties less venomous ; although, in the latter case,
recovery is not so prompt, and relief not so soon afforded, as
when it is the gall of its own kind.
The gall of the most deadly kinds is very efficacious in all
cases where the symptom it develops is known, and a corre-
sponding one is noted in the patient, when its administration
affords relief as if by magic. Thus, for example, the sting or
bite of the Centipede causes excruciating, throbbing pains,
accompanied by excessive oedema in the bitten limb; this
finds precisely similar symptoms in the poison of the Vipera
Acuaticus Carinata ; the gall of which cures Centipede-bites
in an hour! I have used the B. Lach. bufocephalus in
many cases where “the kind” was doubtful, and with perfect
success.
Drs. Buitrago and Lopez Z., of Barranquilla, at my sug-
gestion, have used the B. Crotalus horridus for all kinds of
wounds produced by poisonous reptiles; and both of them
assure me that this has met with perfect success in every case,
although the vicinity of Barranquilla is not abundant in
snakes, of what are termed a “bad” kind.
A plant used by the Curers as an antidote and for inocu-
lation, which I have classified as the Aristolochia Colombiana,
merits more than a passing attention; its characteristics differ
considerably from the Aristolochia Milhomens of Brazil.*
The tincture of this plant (root and leaves), is used by many
of the Curers as a prophylactic for inoculation, and proves so
specific a preventive against the poison as to enable them to
perform many feats like the most famous snake-charmers of
Oriental climes. The flower is singularly beautiful; the
superior part is pear-shaped, pendant, terminating in a narrow
* See Pathogenesie Bresilienne, by Dr. Mure.
17

194
OPHIDIANS.
neck, which latter expands and forms the perianthium, gap-
ing, ringent; the lower leaf (2) of which is prolonged to 25
centimetres in length, is funnel-shaped, terminating in a mere
point, with both edges scolloped and contracted like a ruffle;
the superior part is hermetically closed, and as the flower is
being developed, it swells and puffs out, and when the pollen
is fully ripened, the former bursts with force, making a noise
like the lowing of a calf, and scatters the latter in every
direction.
The most perfectly formed individuals of this species are
found at from 200 to 300 metres above the level of the sea.
They abound in the whole valley of the river Magdalena in
cleared patches of land, and are most abundant in the plan-
tain fields.
The Curers give it different names, the most common of
which are Arponcito, Alconcito, Solobasta; the color of the
flower is magenta brown articulations upon a reddish-white
ground.
This is undoubtedly one of the most efficacious antidotes in
common use. The root has a strong smell and taste of cam-
phor. I prepared a homoeopathic tincture of both the root
and leaves, and with this inoculated several dogs, by making
a slight incision with a lancet on the inner side of the fore
leg, close to the shoulder-joint, introducing into the incision
a small pellet of cotton saturated with the tinct. Arist. Col.,
one drop; some inoculations were made with an incision
under each leg, others with only a single incision. The latter
plan appears to be perfectly efficacious.
The animal falls into a semi-comatose state; in some cases
a slight epistaxis supervenes, accompanied with bilious evacu-
ations, dysury, slight oedema of the joints, particularly in
the region of the incision ; this state continues by intermis-
sions for from four to ten days, after which the symptoms

ANTIDOTES.
195
diminish gradually, and disappear entirely in from twelve to
eighteen or twenty days.
During the period of inoculation great care must be taken
not to wet any part of the body, and the Curers only allow
drinks of boiled water, cooled and sweetened.
This period of prophylactic inception may be fixed at
twenty days in a tropical climate, although in different cli-
mates its length must undoubtedly vary, and can only be
determined by repeated experiments.
The dogs I inoculated in the town of Norosi would, after
inoculation, tear any of the most venomous snakes in pieces,
and if bitten, appeared to suffer little or no inconvenience
from the bite, which healed of itself in three or four days;
not one of them has, however, been killed by a snake bite,
when previously almost every dog bitten by a snake died.
I inoculated myself, by making incisions in the lower
extremity of each deltoid muscle, with a preparation of the
gall of the Lachesis. (B. Lach. one-tenth, or one drop of
pure gall to ten drops of 95 per cent. alcohol.) The symp-
toms experienced were fugitive pains of different degrees of
intensity in different parts of the head; slight epistaxis;
adipsia; anorexia; dysury; diarrhea,* which lasted four
days; rheumatic pains in joints and limbs; cough, soreness
of the throat, accompanied with painful deglutition ; accesses
of erotism; great debility of body and mind; vertigo; pale-
ness of face and skin, and inclination to fainting fits at times.
These symptoms diminished in intensity after six or eight
days by intermissions, and finally ceased one by one, till after
twenty days all that remained was a strange taste of the
leaves of a plant (Arist. Col.) upon the tongue, which was
noticeable for more than a month afterwards.
* For fifteen days previously I had been much constipated.

196
OPHIDIANS.
Since being inoculated, I have never seen any snake make
the slightest attempt to bite me, unless provoked, and I have
observed the same fact in all the Curers, and every person
inoculated; one is also freed, by inoculation, from the annoy-
ance of flies, fleas, and sand-flies, which is by no means an
inconsiderable relief in any tropical climate.
The duration of this preservative effect by inoculation is
undoubtedly the same as that of the Virus vacuno.
Another of the species Aristolochia is the Virginia snake-
root+ (Serpentaria or Aristolochia Virginia). It is not im-
probable that the Indians used it as an antidote, and that this
fact originated its name.
The Cedron Nut (Simaba Cedron) is another substance fre-
quently applied (in powder) to the bitten part, and adminis-
tered internally in a decoction, but with little apparent effect
in most cases, and of none whatever in many; the Cedron is
the popular febrifuge.
The Valdivia Nut (produced by a vine like the poison ivy)
is highly recommended by many Curers in the State of Antio-
quia, to be applied and used in the same way as the Cedron.
My experiments with it do not warrant me in considering this
antidote but slightly superior, as such, to the previous one.
Its action in antidoting the poison is slow in all cases, and
ineffectual in very many, and it is by no means a specific.
The Guaco (Mikania Guaco) (leaves and root) is said to be
used as an antidote by some of the Indian tribes in the inte-
rior of Colombia, and consequently enjoys a wide reputation
throughout all classes in the country ;† that it has cured some
cases cannot be denied, but it is none the less true that several
cases in which it has been administered have terminated fa-
* It is a singular fact, that no person inoculated is known to have died
from any fever of a typhoid or putrid type.
a
† Jahr and Catellanus, Pharmacy, 1860.

ANTIDOTES.
197
tally. The Guaco does not seem to be more unfortunate as
a specific than a thousand other remedies and patent medi-
cines.
There are several varieties of this plant, known as the Mo-
rado (purple), Blanco (white), Cruceta (so called from the ar-
rangement of its stems in the form of a cross), and the Real
(royal). Its juice is very bitter, and it is often used by the
country people as a febrifuge and vermifuge, with apparently
good effects in some few cases.
Respectable authorities* advise the use of Spirits of Am-
monia. I have never known of its application in a single
case to have been followed by any apparent benefit. To test
its virtues I made the following experiments: A female of the
Mapana Saps (Lachesis) species, which was caught alive in
Norosi, was allowed to bite a pup of 3 months old, which
died in 5 minutes. Another pup of the same litter was pre-
sented to the reptile, and was bitten twice; Hartshorn was
instantly applied to the wound, and a small quantity (10 drops)
was administered in half a tumbler of water, but death en-
sued in 10 minutes. The day following another pup of the
same litter was caused to be bitten, and after allowing one
minute to elapse, that the poison might take full effect, one
drop of Bungarus Lachesis, one-tenth, was administered in a
small quantity of water, and one drop of the same antidote
was put upon one of the wounds after opening it crosswise
with a lancet; in an hour's time the pup was frolicking about
as though nothing had happened it, and three months after-
wards it was still alive and well.
The day following our last experiment this same snake bit
a bitch that had had four or five litters of pups, and she died
in less than an hour after receiving the bite.
a
a
* See page 143 for report of cases cured by Prof. Halford.

198
OPHIDIANS.
2
I leave every reader to make his own reflections upon the
preceding experiments.
The celebrated South American savant, De Caldas, in his
writings on “The New Kingdom of Grenada” (1807, 1808)
says:
“A Noanama Indian, with whom I travelled through the
upper country (Cundinamarca and the Cauca), showed me
several plants used by his tribe for curing snake-bites. I ob-
served that almost all of them belonged to the species Bes-
leria."
Several other antidotes used by the Curers might be spoken
of in this connection, but as another part treats especially of
their different modes of treatment, those will be referred to
in the different methods.
Dr. Vargas Reyes, of Bogota, has lately renewed the “Al-
cohol treatment, and calls it “specific,” recommending it for
general use. It can be safely considered a good treatment if
adopted in time, or with little delay, but several cases in which
it has been applied have terminated fatally, and I will cite a
case which occurred many years ago in the northern part of
the State of Ohio, which some of my readers will doubtless
remember. It occurred about the year 1845, in Huron
County.
A blacksmith, generally drunk and exceptionally sober, and
therefore a splendid subject for the “ Alcohol treatment,” who
had his shop at a cross-roads, went to his forge one morning
to work, and found a large Rattlesnake coiled up upon
his
the morning “smile” which he had undoubtedly taken
was quite enough to put our knight of the hammer and tongs
in a fighting mood, and no helmeted knight ever took up a
challenge to enter the lists more readily than did he the hiss-
ing challenge of his snakeship.
Seizing his hammer, which was doubtless the
he
weapon
anvil;

ANTIDOTES.
199
best knew how to use, the fight began ; how long it lasted,
whether
any
of the rules of the prize ring were broken, never
“got into the papers,” but the son of the smith coming to the
,
shop found the fallen knight of the hammer on the ground,
and his snakeship wound about his neck, head erect, and
smeared with the blood which was flowing from the wounds
on the smith's face; the boy alarmed his mother, who entered
the lists with a hickory broom-handle, and aided by an elder
son succeeded in killing the snake. The father, who was bitten
in
many places about the head, neck, and breast, was removed
to the house, and after the application of herb-tea and the
whole list of household remedies, was restored to conscious-
ness after three or four hours had elapsed; but for years
after-
wards he still suffered pains in the joints of a rheumatic na-
ture, which made him almost helpless, and were followed by
an epistaxis of three or four days' duration. These pains, &c.,
were felt invariably at the period of the full moon.
I met him in 1854 in Western North Carolina, and had the
preceding statement from his own lips. A few doses of the
B. Crotalus horridus, 1st decimal potency, 10 drops in 4 oz.
aquæ destillatæ, a tablespoonful night and morning, cured
him radically of all his sufferings.
This was an extreme case, but one can hardly imagine the
“ Alcohol treatment” applied under more advantageous cir-
cumstances if the snake's poison had its deadly principle fully
developed at the time of its injection.
Dr. S. Weir Mitchell reduces the list of antidotes which still
hold repute to: Amnionia, Olive oil, Arsenic (as the Tanjore
pill), Bibron's antidote (Bromine), and alcoholic stimuli.
Although Ammonia has only proved worthy of note in
the cases cited by Prof. Halford, yet the latter feels sanguine
it must prove efficacious in many cases. In my own experi-
ence it has proven uniformly unsuccessful. Dr. Fayrer's ex-

200
OPHIDIANS.
periments with it gave negative results, and Dr. S. Weir
Mitchell was compelled to consider it of no value whatever
as an antidote.
Injections of Bromine have been successfully made, and
they also have been negative in results.
Injections of Iodine, although highly recommended under
the patronage of the Smithsonian Institute, have given no
better proofs of efficacy in counteracting the effects of the
poison.
Dr. S. Weir Mitchell says: “Profound drunkenness is a
condition of sedation and not of excitement, and yet the whole
object of using Alcohol in snake-bites has been among rational
men to stimulate and not to lull or depress the system. In
fact it is well known that persons who were at the time dead
drunk, or nearly so, have been bitten by Rattlesnakes, and
have obtained thereby no immunity from the effects of the
bite."
Dr. Brainerd, who is opposed to the use of stimulants in
Crotalus-bite, thinks the evidence in its favor insufficient, and
thus sums up his argument against its utility: “When mixed
with alcohol the venom is rapidly fatal if inoculated.”
Dr. S. Weir Mitchell concludes by recommending the in-
halation of fumes of warm alcohol or ether.
An interesting fact in connection with the use of the Tan-
jore pill is that it is always recommended to be accompanied
by rubbing a fowl's liver on the bitten part! Who shall say
that the bile absorbed into the wound from the liver did not
antidote, partially or wholly, the venom in the blood, and
for which virtue is accredited to the arsenic of the “ pill ???
The Indians in the Chocó (valley of the River Atrato) dis-
trict use most frequently a plant called Flor de Gallo, Cocks-
flower; its botanical characteristics are:

ANTIDOTES.
201
a
Shrub one metre in height, stem erect, jointed, composed of a cylinder
of greater diameter surrounded by four cylinders of smaller diameter in
the shape of a Gothic column; fifteen centimetres long between the
;
joints, from which spring the smaller lateral stems in pairs; alternate;
terminating in a single leaf like that of the rose geranium ; color of the
leaves bluish dark green; hirsute on their superior surface, and wrinkled.
On their lower surface bluish light green ; stem and leaves of the same
color; a single flower on the extremity of the central stem; its color
bright velvet red, smooth ; petals four; circumvolute; overlying each
other; subcampanulate; stamens 0; pistils 1; 0.01 centimetre high, ter-
minating in a diminutive acorn-shape, covered with pollen of a much
brighter red than the petals; stem, branches, and lower surface of the
leaves covered with exceedingly diminutive globules of a colorless, trans-
parent, mucilaginous liquid, which rubbed between the hands exhales a
pungent, resinous aroma that causes a momentary sensation of faintness,
and seems to pass directly through the head from the nostrils to the cere-
bellum.
A tincture (alcoholic) made from the stem, leaves, and roots
of this flower is used for curing; and if a snake is seen in
the roof,* or suspected to be about the house, the natives place
the bottle uncorked in the centre of the room where it was
last seen, and abandon the house for a short time. The
rep-
tile comes forth, and coiling himself about the bottle inhales
the perfume of the tincture till he soon becomes stupid, when
they return to the house and despatch him with ease.
They attribute to small doses of this tincture the
power
of
producing a magnetic sleep, and use these means to recover
stolen property by administration of it to certain persons who
are mediums for the business.
The Indians of Chocó consider this plant a specific antidote
for snake bites, and particularly for that of the much-dreaded
Verrugosa (Acrochordon Chocoe).
The plant called Solobasta, in the table of antidotes, is
another of the Aristolochias, which I have classified as the
* All the houses have roofs of straw or reeds.

202
OPHIDIANS.
A. grandiflora Colombiana ; it bears a flower 18"' to 20'in
diameter, of strange and rare beauty. This has the same pe-
culiar shape as that of the A. Colombiana, but on a much
larger scale, and the infundibuliform calyx has its periphery
prolonged on one side into two contiguous wedge-shaped
ribbon-like appendages, of two and one half or three feet in
length, the lower half of which are not more than a line in
width.
A tincture of the root alone, or of the root, leaves, and
flower, or of the flower alone (when it has just opened for the
first time) is used by the Curers in cases of bites by many
different kinds of serpents.
THE SECRET METHODS OF CURE PRACTICED BY
THE MOST CELEBRATED CURERS.
FIRST METHOD.
a
Try the patient's pulse; should it be normal, give Valdivia
with Mantuo and pulverized alligators' teeth, and for a bever-
age water of Azota caballo (a plant). If the pulse is high
and strong, and the pulsations are noticeable in the jugular
veins, or the patient spits a frothy, sanguinolent saliva, and
if before the bite he indulged in any carnal act, to the above
remedies add the Azota caballo for internal administration,
and for a beverage, river water.
If the pulse is feverish, and the aforementioned symptoms
are absent, it is a tabardillo (brain fever) effect of the bite.
Should the patient bleed from any of the pores or natural
outlets of the body, let the blood flow if it has a dark color;
and when it begins to turn a bright red administer Valdivia
with powdered alligators' teeth,* and to stanch the blood a cup
* Many Curers say that a snake never bi
that a snake never bites a person while he holds an
alligator's tusk in his hand.

SECRET METHODS OF CURE.
203
w
a
of the following preparation : Make a decoction of Culantrillo
de pozo boiled alone, cool it, and when cool add a lump of re-
fined sugar. Should this not stanch the blood, repeat the dose
after an interval of eight hours, and give a third dose after a
like interval if the second should not produce the desired
effect. In the last case give for a beverage river water.
Should the blood still flow from some tooth, or from the
mouth, make a decoction of Almaciga, Cloves, and Cinnamon
in white wine; apply it to the bitten part as a fomentation, and
give a teaspoonful of the same internally. This will stanch
the blood.
In every case of snake bite open the wound with a lancet or
knife, from fang-wound to fang-wound, in the form of a cross ;
rub the cut with two fingers till the blood flows from it, and
when this ceases, apply to it a plaster composed of powdered
tobacco, garlic, and valdivia, covering it over with a layer of
beeswax. Rub the bitten member above the bite with the
same composition of the plaster and rum; should these parts
be swollen, steam them as follows: Make a decoction of Al-
concito (Arist. Colombiana), add a few bitter orange leaves ;
the decoction must be made in an earthenware pot never used
before. When it has boiled sufficiently, tie a plantain leaf
over its mouth, and cut a short slit in the centre of the leaf,
placing the arm or leg over the slit, and covering it with a
cloth so as to exclude the air, and so that the swollen part
may be exposed to the hot vapor.
Repeat the steaming operation three times, and if the swell-
ing should not have diminished after the third time, although
the patient may have perspired freely, cover the swollen parts
with taz-taz leaves, heated in the sun, and then again over live
coals, applying fresh leaves every time they become saturated
with the perspiration. In case the taz-taz cannot be procured,
use leaves of the Abraza palo in the same manner, and con-

204
OPHIDIANS.
tinue the application till the swelling diminishes or is entirely
reduced.
Should the patient be attacked with suffocation or pain in
the stomach or abdomen, he has eaten something bitter or
acid, or fresh pork; give immediately Fruta de burro, cooked
till it has a bitter taste; this will produce vomiting.
Should the wound form an ulcer or incurable sore, wash
,
it with verbena (water), of the kind called Rabo de alacran
(Scorpion's tail), applying a leaf of the same to the sore; and
;
finish healing it with pulverized Cadillo seco, of the kind
called Amor seco (dry love) (platonic love).
Should the snake be a water-snake, and the wound form a
running sore, wash it with a decoction of Romero (Ledum palus-
tre) water, and apply to it the powdered leaf of the same,
having first calcined or burnt it. Continue this cure till a
white or black scab forms on the ulcer, and to complete the
cure, use an ointment composed of clean wax, olive oil tallow,
and cardenillo.
Should the patient suffer constipation, apply enemas of de-
coction of bicho, aniseed, and salt.
For poisonous wounds made by thorns, poisoned arrows,
&c., &c., tincture of camphor applied on cloths till the parts
turn red is the best remedy. And should the wounded parts
yield a sanguinolent liquid, apply to them externally the
same powder recommended for sores formed from bites by
water-snakes.
Diet must be rigid. Absolutely prohibited are eggs, pork,
any alcoholic drink, any acid; coitus; and no pregnant woman,
or any woman with her menstrual flow present, must approach
or remain near the patient.

SECRET METHODS OF CURE.
205
SECOND METHOD.
a
a
a
When the bite is that of a Mapana, the pulse is slower than
usual ; when it is that of a Rattlesnake (Cascabel), it is much
more accelerated; and when it is that of a Coral, it is hardly
perceptible.
Should the patient have a flow of blood from the ears, nose
,
or mouth, administer a thick mazamorra de almidon (a kind
of hasty pudding), to which add as much powdered Estanca-
dera as can be taken between three fingers, and also a lump
of refined sugar.
Should the flow of blood not cease, ad-
minister a beverage of juice of la cepa de platano guineo (the
stalk of the banana) sweetened with sugar.
If the blood is black or dark-colored, allow it to flow till
the color changes to a bright red, then administer remedies to
stanch it. Redness of the white of the eye indicates Tabar-
dillo; for this, administer water which has been boiled and
cooled, sweetened with refined sugar; give a standing bath of
water as hot as can be borne, from head to feet. After the
bath proceed with the cure.
Should there be any swelling in the bitten part, make a
decoction of three entire plants of Escobilla menuda ; with this
bathe the part, making it as hot as can be borne, and cover
the swollen surface with leaves of the Abraza palo; fifteen
minutes afterwards raise the leaves and clean off the perspira-
tion, when a yellow liquid will be observed issuing from the
wound; this is the poison.
To cure the remaining ulcer, use scrapings of the heart of a
tree called Palo de vaca (cow tree), and if this should not
cause it to heal, use powdered cedron nut.
For Rattlesnake-bites, take Carnestolenda roots, from the
side towards the rising sun; pulverize and put the powder in

206
OPHIDIANS.
ten ounces of water, administer half the quantity, and cause
the patient to snuff a small quantity up the nostrils.
Should there be a flow of blood from any pore or conduit
of the body, give a small quantity of water, boiled and sweet-
ened with refined sugar; this at 11 A.M.
If this should not stanch the flow of blood give half a gill
(un tanto) of juice of Cepa de guineo sweetened with sugar.
Should the patient be uneasy or restless, grind up a yuca,
,
add
to the mass a little sugar, shave a spot clean on the crown of
the head, and apply the pulp to the spot. To Gabaro de car-
nestolenda add a little water, and with this rub well the bitten
limb, binding it afterwards on the bitten part with a strip of
cotton cloth.
For a Patoquilla-bite, first administer a beverage of luke-
warm water sweetened with refined sugar, and afterwards a
,
decoction or tincture of Capitanu and Jenerala in two or three
ounces of water ; rub the bitten limb with Capitana, and with
a lancet make a cut from fang-wound to fang-wound, and
another deep one crosswise, and with the lancet scrape off the
blood that
may
flow from the wound, putting upon the latter
powders of the fruit called Ojo de buci (ox's eye). Should
there be any headache, give the patient a standing bath in
running water (brook or river) of ten minutes' duration,
If on account of any pregnant woman, or woman with her
monthly flow, having passed near the patient, there should be
an aggravation of the pains, give the bath as indicated in the
preceding paragraph.
For a Mapana-bite administer Capitana, or Capitana jene-
rala, or Jenerala in a dose with two and one-half ounces of
water. Scarify the bitten part from fang-wound to fang-
wound, and scrape it till the red blood flows, then bind upon
it powdered Capitana mixed with Estancadera, but if this
cannot be procured use powdered Chupadera (a wild yam

SECRET METHODS OF CURE.
207
a
a
whose stalk resembles a snake). Rub well the bitten limb
with a diluted tincture of Capitana.
Should there be any oedema give as hot a bath of the Esco-
billa (three plants) as can be supported, and put leaves of the
Abraza palo upon the bitten limb, after having heated them at
,
the fire, covering the whole surface of the swollen part with
them, and wrapping up the whole limb with a clean cloth.
While the swelling continues, change these leaves by renewal
every night and morning.
Should there be a flow of blood from any pore or conduit
of the body, give as much pulverized Estancadera as can be
taken
up
between the thumb and forefinger, in a little water;
and if there is any headache give the standing bath.
For a Coral-bite, use the remedies recommended for that of
a Patoquilla ; if this is not possible give a standing bath im-
mediately.
Tincture of Arponcito Alconcito (Arist. Colo.) mixed with
tincture of Capitana (Arist. grand.), in five ounces of water,
is good for a Coral-bite.
The Cruceta is good for bites of any kind of snakes; it
should be taken in two and one-half or three ounces of warm
water.
The Solona and also Nicha, administered in warm water,
are good for any kind of bites; the latter can also be applied
in the form of a plaster on the wound, the whole to be cov-
ered with leaves of the Abraza palo.
Should the patient have performed a carnal act before being
bitten, beat together three eggs, add to them a little sugar,
beat them again, and with the froth anoint the back between
the shoulder-blades, giving the balance of the eggs internally
before beginning the administration of other remedies.
The Mapana, called Bogui dorada (Vip. Lach. os flavus),
has the mouth and tip of the tail of a bright yellow; its bite
a

208
OPHIDIANS.
may be cured with the same remedies used for a Rattlesnake-
bite.
Diet.—Keep out of the sun and night dew. Aliments pro-
hibited: eggs, pork, ripe roast plantain, bananas, aguacates
(alligator pears), cheese; nothing acid; must not go barefooted; ;
must on no account allow another Curer “to lay hands
him; he must not allow any pregnant or menstruating woman
to come near him; but a maid, or a woman not menstruating,
who is entirely exempt from all carnal commerce, may wait upon
him.
upon”
THIRD METHOD.
A third method is very similar in the treatment, and con-
cludes as follows:
For the bite of the Sierpe (a Python) open a hen alive, and
put one-half of it upon the wounded part, binding it fast with
a bandage.
Diet.—The first day of the cure give the patient fowl; when
better, beef and salt fish may be permitted. Absolutely pro-
.
hibited : Fish, eggs, banana, aguacates, cheese, anything acid
or flatulent; great care must be taken not to go barefooted ;
and on no account to step on fowls' excrement (this is mortal!);
total abstinence from any carnal act; and he must not allow
any woman, pregnant or menstruating, to come near him while
being cured.
Other methods might be given, but they are quite similar
to those already noted, which are curiosities in their
much as that they have never before been published.
way, inso-
Of the Galls, and their Mode of Preparation.
It must always be borne in mind that the gall of a snake
has its virtues most fully developed shortly after the skin has
been cast, and when its poison is most venomous, provided,

SECRET METHODS OF CURE. .
209
however, that the reptile has not eaten any food in the mean-
time, in which case the gall-bladder will be found nearly or
quite empty
Many experiments with this substance combined with alco-
hol, in widely different proportions of each ingredient, have
led me to adopt the following as the method of preparation
which has proven itself most efficacious in a great number of
cases:
a
Proportion: one drop of pure gall to ten drops of as pure
alcohol, or high wines, or spirits of wine, as can be procured.
The mixture must be thoroughly shaken, and allowed to
stand for a couple of days, when a lead-colored sediment will
have deposited itself; the supernatant liquid can be poured
off carefully into a perfectly clean, new vial, using a bit of
sponge in the neck of a small funnel to filter it, when it is
ready for use.
Never mix galls of different species.
Have the vials distinctly labelled.
The galls of the Centipede, Tarantula, Scorpion, and Cricket
can be separated by bruising the insect in a small quantity of
alcohol, allowing it to stand for twenty-four hours, and filter-
ing as above mentioned. Each one of these may be used for
the bite of the insect, that of the Cricket being a common
remedy in some places for a suspension of the urine.
I have used these preparations of snakes' galls topically in
all cases of cuts, flesh wounds, or abrasions, either by poison-
ous thorns or otherwise, and also in cases of poisoning of the
surface of the skin by vegetable poisons; the cure is always
prompt, and no inflammation supervenes.
It has been said that the gall of the alligator applied topi-
cally will remove a cataract; many persons suppose that this
is the remedy employed by the famous charlatan Perdomo
18

210
OPHIDIANS.
a
Neira, who is said to cure cases of cataract in from three to
thirty days.
Method of Administration.
For all ordinary cases of bites, five or ten drops of pre-
pared gall (selecting if possible that of the kind causing the
bite) in half a tumblerful of water, well mixed, to administer
a tablespoonful of the mixture every five, ten, fifteen, or twenty
minutes, according to the violence of the symptoms, and vary-
ing the dose from three to ten drops of the gall, according to
the age, sex, condition, and susceptibility of the patient, will
afford entire relief.
In fifty cases treated, I have given ten-drop doses of gall
in four ounces of water in two cases only; all the others have
been cured by five-drop doses, continuing the remedy at more
prolonged intervals as the symptoms of the action of the
poison disappear; and in the two cases cited, where a five-drop
dose was given in tablespoonfuls every five minutes without
producing relief, the dose was immediately repeated, and en-
tire relief ultimately ensued.
I invariably make a deep cruciform incision in the wound
with a lancet, and bathe the limb in water as hot as can be
borne, into which I pour a few drops of prepared gall.
When the blood flows a bright red (and not before) a small
pellet of cotton or sponge, saturated with the gall (prepared),
applied to the wound and secured with a bandage, will stop
the flow of blood, unless a large vein or artery is punctured
by the fang; in this case cauterization is necessary.
THE POISONS AS REMEDIAL AGENTS.
Dr. Mitchell concludes his remarks upon the action of the
venom on the tissues and fluids with the following remarkable
sentences :

CROTALUS POISONING. .
211
part of
a
Analogy between Crotalus Poisoning and the Symptoms of
Certain Diseases.
“I am unwilling to leave this unsatisfactory but necessary
my task without calling attention to the singular like-
ness between the symptoms and lesions of Crotalus poisoning
and those of certain maladies, such as yellow fever. *
“If for a moment we lose sight of the local injection, and
regard only the symptoms which follow and the tissue-changes
which ensue, the resemblance becomes still more striking.
“In both diseases—for such they are—we have a class of
cases in which death seems to occur suddenly and inexplicably,
as though caused by an overwhelming dose of poison. In
both diseases these cases are marked by symptoms of profound
prostration, and in both the post-mortem revelations fail to
explain the death. I have spoken, as an example, of yellow
fever, but similar instances are not wanting in cholera, typhoid
and typhus fevers, and in scarlatina.
“A second class of cases, both of Crotalus poisoning and of
yellow fever, survive the first shock of the malady, and then
begin to exhibit the train of symptoms which terminates in
more or less degradation of the character of the blood, vary-
ing remarkably among themselves, exhibiting, as it were, pref-
erences for this or that organ; all these maladies agree in the
destruction of the fibrin of the blood, which these fatal cases
frequently exhibit. In yellow fever the likeness to the venom
poisoning is most distinctly preserved as we trace the symptoms
of both diseases to the point where the diffluent blood leaks
out into the mucous and serous cavities. The yellowness
* This analogy has been noted by L. S. Mitchell, by Magendie, and
by Gaspard, who has also called attention to the resemblance between
ordinary putrefactive poisoning, such as arises from injection into the
blood of decayed animal substances, and the poisoning by venom.

212
OPHIDIANS.
which characterizes many yellow fever cases I do not find de-
scribed as a current symptom of the venom malady, but it is
often mentioned as one of the accompaniments of the period
of the recovery from the bite.* It is, indeed, most probable
that if small and repeated doses of venom were introduced at
intervals into the body of an animal, a disease might be pro-
duced even more resembling the malady in question.
“In the parallel thus drawn I have given the broad out-
lines of resemblance, nor was it to be expected that the minor
details would be alike. From a general and philosophic
point of view, this similarity is sufficiently striking to make
me hope that the complete control of one septic poison for ex-
perimental use may enable us in future to throw new light on
those septic poisons of disease, of whose composition we know
nothing, and whose very means of entering the body they
destroy is as yet a mystery."
Pathogenetic tables, showing the effects of the different
poisons upon the system when taken into the stomach, are as
yet quite incomplete, and for this reason only synopses of some
of them are given. It is the Author's intention to collect all
reliable data together, and thus make this study more com-
plete, so that what any one desires to know of every
branch
of this subject may be found in another edition of the present
work.
* Jaundice, occasionally observed in France, as an early symptom of
viper-bite, has been usually regarded as jaundice of fear; a cause which
certainly cannot be invoked to account for the icterus seen in the last
stages of the malady caused by the venom.

LACHESIS TRIGONOCEPHALUS.
213
CROTALUS HORRIDUS.
A résumé of symptoms from provings by Dr. Mure is :
Mental prostration.
Debility of intellectual faculties.
Visions; extraordinary hallucinations; almost lunacy
Illusions of the sense of hearing; deafness.
Sanguineous congestions; choking sensations; cramps.
Pains in the limbs; skin covered with pustules.
Coldness, with increase of the pulse.
Derangement of the menstrual flow.
Slight symptoms of inflammation of the liver.
The above are noted in their chronological order.
LACHESIS TRIGONOCEPHALUS.
The symptoms furnished by Dr. C. Hering and Dr. Jahr
are:
Synopsis.
Tension in the muscles as though they were too short.
Sharp, dragging rheumatic pains in the limbs.
Intermittent and periodical pains ; sufferings accompanied
by a fear of suffocation.
Aggravation and renewal of pains after sleep, or some
hours after a meal.
Great physical and mental debility ; rapid diminution of
strength.
Fainting fits accompanied by dyspnoea, nausea, cold sweats,
vertigo, and pallor in the face.
Accesses of asphyxia and syncope.
Attacks like epileptic fits; convulsions with screams and
movements of the limbs; before the attacks, feet cold, eructa-
tions, pallor of the face, and vertigo.

214
OPHIDIANS.
Hemorrhages and extravasation of blood in different
organs.
for ex-
ELAPS CORALLINUS.
Symptoms from Provings made for Dr. B. Mure.*
Dr. Mure remarks:
“The number of symptoms noted is not considerable, but I
believe I can respond for their exactitude. Almost all of
them have been developed in different persons; others have
been already confirmed in cases of cures effected, as,
ample, feeling of oppression upon ascending stairs, vesicular
eruption in the feet, and deafness.
“This last symptom is of the greatest importance, as it cor-
responds to a disease which, until the present time (1847), has
shown itself exceedingly rebellious to the homeopathic treat-
ment.
“ Affections of the lungs will probably find a valuable
medicinal agent in the Elaps corallinus.
“Hæmoptysis and the state of the digestive canal, are
special indications in the course of the second period of pul-
monary phthisis; next follow mental disturbances and cuta-
neous eruptions.
“A special action on the organs of the right side, paralysis,
lancinating pains ensue; and it appears to me that the gyra-
tory movements, lack of oscillation, fall of the epidermis,
and certain moral symptoms, are analogous to the nature of
the reptile itself.
“Undoubtedly marked analogies do exist between the
symptoms developed by this poison, and those by that of the
Lachesis trigonocephalus, but there are still sufficiently nu-
merous points of difference to prove that these animal poisons
* Pathogenesie Bresilienne.

AMPHISBENA VERMICULARIS.
215
do not have an almost identical action, as many persons have
affirmed; and that the Crotalus horridus, for example, is the
almost perfect antidote or succedaneum of the Lachesis tri-
gonocephalus. I am well convinced of the contrary, and my
belief is that serpent-poisons, well proven, afford in themselves
alone the most rapid and surest means with which to combat all
known diseases. Each epoch has doubtless a recourse of thera-
peutic means, which are most specific, because most hom-
oeopathic, to the general character of epidemic or reigning
diseases. So that when the human kind shall be partially
purified of the miasms that attack the race, the simple
flowers of the fields will afford a superabundant store to skilled
physicians from which to take agents with which to combat
slight indispositions; but we, who are the unfortunate heirs
to the chronic miasms of all ages, we who are surcharged
with the virus of leprosy, scrofula, syphilis, and a thousand
other detestable chancres, must seek in the most powerful
medicinal agents resources proportionate to the intensity of
our sufferings.”
*
AMPHISBENA VERMICULARIS.
Fainting fits; feels downcast.
Great pain in the whole spinal column, augmented by
motion.
Rose-colored miliary eruptions. Sleeplessness.
Feels a great weight in the forehead and parietal bones.
Intense cephalalgia, vertigo, inclination to fall towards the
right side.
Sight affected, tremors in the orbital muscles.
Dull, heavy pains in the bone of the right lower jaw re-
peated several times. Pains in all the teeth.
* Pathogenesie Bresilienne.

216
OPHIDIANS.
Painful deglutition, swelling of the tonsils.
Deglutition impossible; chills ; pains in epigastrium.
Constipation. The eruption extends over the breast, elbows,
and back, and has an itching sensation, worse in the morning,
but relieved at night.
Swelling of the arm with great pain.
Cramps in the left leg accompanied by insensibility of the
same.
ARISTOLOCHIA MILHOMENS (Mure).
Aristolochia grandiflora (Gom.). Aristolochia symbifera (Mark).
(An Antidote used in Brazil for the Bite of the Rattlesnake.)
Pathogenesy.
Potency used, 5th cent.
Great agitation during sleep.
He dreams that he cannot drink, walk, or move himself.
Sensation of pulsations in right frontal protuberance.
Pasty taste in mouth upon rising.
5. Thirst.
Pain in the right groin.
Sensation of numbness in left leg.
Sensation of numbness in lower part of the calf of same
leg.
Rumbling sounds in the stomach and intestines.
10. Pricking sensation in the whole of left leg.
Sensation of heaviness in the head.
Great thirst, accompanied with a bitter taste in the mouth.
Loss of appetite.
Redness and swelling of the left leg.
15. 3.30 P. M. A pricking, itchy sensation in the hypoth-
enary protuberance of the right hand.
a

ARISTOLOCHIA MILHOMENS.
217
Sensation as of a weight on the crown of the head.
A pricking, itchy sensation in the right testicle.
Pricky sensation in the right thigh.
Sensation as though pricked by a pin in the lower part
of the left leg
20. Pricking sensation in the internal part of the left thigh.
Sensation as though pricked with a pin in different parts
of the body.
7 P.M. Repetition of symptom No. 15.
Feeling of heaviness in the cerebellum.
Sensation as of being pricked in the heel.
25. 8 P.M. Itching sensation in the right side of left foot.
Pricking and itchy sensation in the skin of the pre-
puce.
Cramplike pain on the internal edge of right foot.
Contusive pain in left pectoral muscle, which is exceed-
ingly sensitive to the touch at night.
Second Day.
Restlessness during sleep.
30. He dreams that he sees a sheep and a dog, dressed in
red; a man, accompanied by many other individuals,
holds the dog by the back suspended in the air, and
the dog holds the sheep suspended by the middle of
the back while the latter moves his head with an
oscillatory movement.
This is followed by an erotic dream, with an involuntary
flow of semen.
Feels a pain under the shoulder blade as if from a blow.
Dull pain on the internal edge of left foot.
2 P.M. Sensation of inquietude; afterwards a pricky,
itchy sensation in the muscles of the body.
19

218
OPHIDIANS.
35. Contusive pain in the left knee.
7 P.M. Lancinating pains in the anterior part of the
external edge of the left foot.
Sensation of repletion in the stomach.
Sharp pain at one point in the right thigh.
Blue-black oedema of the leg in the morning; the leg
becomes more inflamed with exercise, and is much
darker and discolored at night.
40. Lack of appetite.
The whole of the leg is covered with dark, irregular-
shaped patches or spots formed by the extravasation
of the blood.
Frequent voiding of urine.
Burning sensation in the head.
Continued thirst with a bitter taste in the mouth.
45. Excoriation of the lips and gums.
Total loss of appetite.
Pain as of excoriation in the left leg, which afterwards
passes to the internal edge of the right foot, where
it is felt more acutely.
Third Day.
An almost unbearable pain in the lower part of the heart
that checks respiration ; this is felt during the night.
Temporal regions exceedingly painful to the touch during
the whole day.
50. Rigidness of the leg with impossibility to remain stand-
ing, which lasts several minutes.
Sharp pain in one point between the shoulders.
Dull pain in the lower lumbar and hypogastric regions.
Burning pains in the anus.
Cracks in the lips and gums as on the preceding day.

ARISTOLOCHIA MILHOMENS.
219
55. Pricky, itchy sensation in the flexor of right arm.
Cramp-like pain in the left tendo-Achillis.
Sensation of numbness around the edges of the feet.
3 P.M. Contusive pains in the left knee.
3.30 P.M. Sensations of being pricked with a pin in the
lower part of the right leg, and on the internal edge
of the foot.
60. 4.30 P.M. The whole of the left arm is painful to the
touch.
Pricking pains in the lower part of the left knee.
8 P.M. Itching sensation in the articulation of the first
phalanx of the little finger.
Fourth Day.
Pain in the back of the left index-finger.
Colic, followed by a stool of soft matter, and diarrhoeic
stools the next morning.
65. Sensation of uneasiness as if a tumor, was being formed
on the inner side of the right leg above the knee;
this symptom was felt in the P. M.
Fifth Day.
Heaviness in the lumbar region.
Sensation as if the skin of the lower part of the leg was
sliding down towards the ankle, with a frequent in-
clination to draw it
up again.
Itching sensation in the lower part of the right leg.
Pricking, itchy sensation on the internal surface of the
right leg
70. A strange sensation in the lower part of the tendo-
Achillis.
Easy stool.

220
OPHIDIANS.
Sixth Day.
Pricking, itchy sensation on the internal surface of the
right ankle.
Itchy sensation in the muscles of the left side.
Pain on the internal surface of the leg just above the
right ankle.
75. Unpleasant dreams,
Seventh Day.
Restlessness ; after awakening in the morning impossi-
bility to
go
to sleep again.
He feels for several hours as if something was troubling
him about his ankles.
3 P.M. The pain increases and becomes contusive.
Ankles appear swollen. .
80. Acute pain in the sacro-lumbar region.
Pain in the right hypochondria.
Eighth Day.
Pain in the scrobiculum.
The pains in the leg continue.
Fixed pain on the internal surface of the left ankle-joint.
85. Burning pain on the internal part of the right leg at
night.
Acute lancinating pains in the head at night.
Ninth Day.
Acute lancinating pains in left side of head at night.

ARISTOLOCHIA COLOMBIANA.
221
Tenth Day.
A deep, lancinating pain in back part of head.
The fore part of the left leg is painful to the touch.
90. Lancinating pains in the cerebellum.
Many symptoms are common with those developed by Cro-
talus horridus, and thus explain its action as an antidote.
ARISTOLOCHIA COLOMBIANA (nobis).
Great agitation and restlessness at night.
Dreams of inability to do certain ordinary things.
Unpleasant taste in the mouth.
Sensation of pulsations in the orbits of the eyes.
5. Thirst constant during the day.
Pains in the joints of the legs.
Pains in the joints are fugitive.
Sensation of numbness, sometimes in one leg and some-
times in the other.
Rumbling in bowels, sometimes with and at times with-
out colicky pains.
10. Sensation in the legs as of being stung by nettles. Both
legs red and swollen, particularly below the knee.
Continued thirst with a taste of the plant in the mouth.
Agrypnia. Anorexia.
Sensation as of being pricked by pins in right leg.
15. Same sensation felt afterwards in the other leg.
Cramps in the feet.
Contusive pain in the chest (left side).
Has strange fantastic dreams,
Rheumatic pains under the shoulder-blades.
20. Rheumatic pain in left instep.
Restlessness, repetition of symptoms No. 10.
Legs are much swollen and discolored.

222
OPHIDIANS.
Lack of appetite continues.
Surface of the leg discolored in spots. Legs much swol-
len, with painful varices in pregnant females.
25. Increased flow of urine.
Continued thirst, with a taste of the plant in the mouth.
Loss of appetite continues.
Fugitive pains below both knees.
Pains of a rheumatic nature in the shoulders.
30. Rheumatic pain in the lumbar region.
Cutting pain in the rectum after a stool.
Cramp-like pain in the left instep.
Rheumatic pain in left knee of short duration.
Fugitive pains in the arms and shoulders.
35. Pains in left knee continue.
Sensation as of a boil being formed on the thigh of the
right leg, which is very painful to the touch.
Itching sensation in the skin below the same knee.
Rheumatic pains in both ankles.
Sleeplessness.
40. Pains in lower limbs continue, and become almost un-
bearable, extending up to the hips and lumbar re-
gion.
Acute pains in the crown of the head.
Lancinating pains in the cerebellum.
43. Paralysis of the tongue.
I can respond for the exactitude of nearly all the above
symptoms, as they have disappeared in different patients under
the administration of doses of the 0, 3d cent. and 6th cent.
potencies. It has proved successful (at the 6th cent.) in two
cases of suppressed menstruation with rheumatic pains in the
lower extremities. In a great number of cases of Scorpion-

CLINICAL NOTES.
223
bites, in which paralysis of the tongue is always present, it
has invariably afforded entire relief in less than five minutes.
ADDITIONAL CLINICAL NOTES ON THE ACTION OF
THE POISONS FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES.
The employment of Lachesis in gangrene is shown to be
exceedingly efficacious, by three cases of cures cited by Dr.
Hiatt,* in which its action was quick and specific.
Its action is more strongly marked when the part assumes
a purple or lardaceous hue, and emits an offensive odor. Its
efficacy in warding off traumatic tetanus and gangrene, in
cases of gunshot wounds, has been proven in a great many
cases; possibly a single case cannot be cited in which it has
failed to produce beneficial effects. Kuhn gives a case of a
soldier bitten by this serpent, where the hand and arm were
much swollen, and covered with gangrenous blisters. The
wound gangrened, necessitating subsequent amputation to
save the patient's life. A notable fact in this case was that
the urinary and fecal discharges were suppressed for seven
days.
In cases of yellow fever many symptoms are found like those
under Apis mell., Crot. horr., Lachesis, and Elaps coralls, viz.:
General tremors; extreme lassitude; jerking and convulsions
of the muscles of the limbs; delirium ; sudden starting up
from a sound sleep; frenzy ; debility and numbness of the
muscles of the limbs; fainting fits; loss of consciousness,
and sudden sinking of the vital powers.
In this connection I desire to call attention to the action of
the poison Vip. Lachesis os flavus, as its similarity with the
symptoms which mark the last stage of yellow fever cases is
* An Inaugural, North American Journal of Homeopathy, May, 1865.

224
OPHIDIANS.
still more striking even than what has already been noticed in
cases of injection of Crotalus venom.
Thus far the poisons which have been proven take the fol-
lowing rank in regard to their action in decomposing the
blood, viz.:
1. Crotalus.
2. Vipera redi, Elaps corall.
3. Lachesis trig., L. os flavus.
4. Naja tripudians.
5. Naja haje.
Lachesis shows a remarkable power in allaying the cough
in phthisis and pulmonary abscesses, and Crotalus in phthisis
alone.
“Facts are stubborn things,” but still, in opposition to the
repeated asseverations of the most highly respectable authori-
ties in some matters to the contrary notwithstanding, they do
most certainly and positively prove that all the pathogenetic
effects of
any medicinal agent are only developed through the
entire scale of potencies. Dr. Fincke's 100,000th potency of
Lachesis furnishes proofs of this in cases cured, and in the de-
velopment of new symptoms which had not shown themselves
in the lower potencies. Some other and more astounding
facts are in reserve for a future occasion, when the potency
question” shall have been more fully studied.
In relation to the neurotic symptoms the order is at present
as follows, viz.:
1. Lachesis trig.
2. Naja trip.
3. Crotalus.
4. Vipera redi.
But when the substance can be furnished for provings, Lache-
sis niger will head the list.

CLINICAL NOTES.
225
or
(6
The sanguineous sphere is most affected by Apis mell. and
Theridion curassavicum, while the reproductive sphere is most
powerfully affected by Bufo sahytiensis and Tarantella. One
of the most important indications for Bufo s., and which I
have never seen noticed in any work, is Impotency !
The “ wise women” “midwives” in South America
hang up a frog by the hind legs till a greenish saliva drools
from its mouth; two or three drops of this is caught in a
spoon, and furnished (for a consideration) to some jealous
female, who administers it to her husband (unknown to any
one but herself and the “old crone") in a plate of soup or
food of any kind. This produces a temporary impotency
which continues for two or three months, and then gradually
disappears of itself.
Sometimes the dose given is larger, and the person to whom
it is administered is nervous and susceptible; the result is
permanent impotency. I have known several of these cases
which I had the most powerful motives for attributing to the
above causes.
One of the most prominent symptoms of Elaps corallinus
is deafness; and its powerful action on the respiratory organs
is similar to Lachesis.
Dr. Mure reports having cured several cases of chronic
deafness (without any existing organic lesion of the auditory
organs) with this substance; and I have administered Elaps
corallinus gall, 3d cent. and 6th cent., in two similar cases
with perfect success.
One
case,
of a man who had been deaf
in both ears for ten or twelve years, was worthy of note.
After putting the patient on diet for a week, prohibiting
the use of tea, coffee, and tobacco, a dose of the gall 6th, was
given, and a powder of Sacch. lact. daily for a week, then
semi-weekly for three weeks more. For 32 days after the
ingestion of the remedy no apparent effect had been produced
;

226
OPHIDIANS.
but
upon rising on the morning of the 33d day he experienced,
to use his own expression, "something like the bursting of a
fish-bladder," followed by considerable distinctness of hearing
in one ear first, and then in the other; on the 45th day after
ingestion he reported being able to hear as distinctly as he
ever could in his life.
This case affords one proof at least of my assertion that the
action of these galls pathogenetically is a perfect similimum of
the toxical action of their congenital poisons. Let me give
another in this connection which may not be found devoid of
interest.
In the town of Juan de Acosta, nine leagues from Barran-
quilla, in the State of Bolivar,* in 1870, a countryman was
bitten by a Vipera Lachesis bufocephalus, and brought into
the town from his little plantation, together with the snake
that caused the bite, which he had killed.
Some one of the bystanders proposed to give him the gall
of the reptile, adding that this was the remedy which I used
to cure snake bites. He assented. The gall-bladder was
taken from the snake and emptied into three or four ounces
of common rum (the quantity of pure gall could not have
been less than from 100 to 150 drops), which was given in a
single dose. All the pains ceased as if by magic, and in half
an hour the bitten man said he felt perfectly recovered. An
hour elapsed; there was a sudden flow of blood from the
nose, followed by acute darting pains in the bitten limb, and
,
a subsequent development of all the toxical symptoms of the
poison, terminating in death at the lapse of six hours.
An explanation of the action of the gall in this case was
undoubtedly the extinction of all the symptoms of the action
of the poison in a short time, and then that of the gall became
* United States of Colombia.

CLINICAL NOTES.
227
a medicinal aggravation, which, owing to the massiveness of
the dose, became so enormously powerful as to extinguish the
vital force.
Those persons who knew of the case considered that the
gall was poison, and quite as deadly as the venom of the ser-
pent itself.
A few weeks later, a snake of the same kind bit another
man at or near the identical place where the first one had
been bitten. A gentleman for whom the bitten man was la-
boring had a small vial of gall of the same kind of snake, pre-
pared by myself, which was administered according to the
directions given on page 209. After the lapse of two hours
every symptom of the poisoning had disappeared, and the
man was able to work the ensuing day. No subsequent
relapse or return of any of the pains took place. I leave the
reader to draw his own conclusions as to the causes of the
result in both cases.
Dr. Baruch has effected cures of phthisis florida with
Theridion curassav., administering this remedy while the dis-
ease was yet incipient.
Dr. Lilienthal's inference with respect to animal poisons is
that they all act alike, producing adynamia with sanguineous
or nervous depression ; and consequently remove these states
when homoeopathically indicated.
The Crotalus poison, says Dr. Lilienthal, produces always,
sometimes in a few minutes, painful swelling of the bitten
part, ecchymosis; bluish-gray color of the adjacent cutaneous
tissue, and gangrene, with hemorrhages from nearly all the
orifices of the body; and through this decomposition a de-
pression of the nerve-centres, showing its action by nervous
twitchings and convulsions, delirium, syncope, exhaustion,
and death, from paralysis of the spinal nerves.

228
OPHIDIANS.
The viper's (torva and redi) bite also produces gangrene
(ultimately) and hemorrhages from the different orifices.
Cases are recorded where the bitten persons fell down imme-
diately after the bite, and at a later period paralytic symptoms
always developed themselves.
Post mortems have shown that the oppression in the chest
with its torturing anguish (so distinctly characteristic of La-
chesis niger, Lachesis trigonocephalus, and Elaps corallinus), is
very frequently caused by the extension of the gangrene to
the lungs and liver; although death may supervene (as by
Crotalus), by the depression of the nerve force; so necessary
is this latter to the sustenance of the functions of life.
In Lachesis we see the nerve-centres attacked first; the man
falls as if struck by lightning! Unconsciousness follows (at
least in some cases); the sympatheticus and vagus are attacked,
thus disturbing the whole machinery of life, and causing the
decomposition of the blood, thus producing gangrene, which is
but a consequence of this lack of vitality.
The Naja tripudians affects especially the pneumogastricus, ,
and the neurotic symptoms predominate over the hæmatic.
It produces instant paralysis, destroying or annihilating the
source of nerve-force; affecting first the sensory, and later the
motor nerves. Hughes states that in the case of the keeper
killed in the Zoological Gardens in London by the bite of a
Naja, the air-passages were filled with a frothy mucus, and
that death ensued from suppression of the respiration. This
case affords a proof of the preceding statement of its action.
This indication in the case just cited is a precise counter-
part of deaths in many cases in verminous or helminthie
affections. Post mortems invariably show the air-passages
filled with a frothy mucus.
A prominent symptom in many cases of Cobra-bites is

CLINICAL NOTES.
229
vomiting a large quantity of black fluid ; and in some instances
this is followed by a copious evacuation of a thin whitish or
brownish liquid, very fetid, and mixed with partially softened
fæces. The pupil of the eye seems to be contracted till death
ensues, when it expands to its utmost limit.

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND EXCERPTIONS.
Pathogenesie Bresilienne, by Dr. Mure, Paris, 1847.
Thanatophidia, by J. Fayrer, M.D. London, 1872. By
J. & A. Churchill.
Buffon's Natural History (Reptilia). Vols. 83, 84, 85.
Wood's Natural History (Reptilia). Vol. 3.
Zoology of South Africa, by Andrew Smith, M.D. Lon-
don, 1849.
Philosophical Transactions Royal Society, Vol. 79.
Kempfer's Amoenitates Exoticæ.
Gronovius (L. T.) Zoophylacium, No. 96. Leyden, 1787.
Russell's India Serpents. 2 vols., folio. London, 1796,
1801.
Blasius Merrem Beytrarge zur naturgeschichte der Am-
phibien. Dinsbourg and Leipsic, 1799. 2 vols.
Seba (d'Albert) Rerum Nat. Amst. 1734, folio.
Amphibia (G. Schneider), 2 vols. Jena, 1801.
Asiatic Researches (John Williams), 2 vols. Calcutta, 1790.
Zoology (George Shaw), vol. 3. London, 1800–1826.
Medical Remembrancer (E. B. L. Shaw). 4th Edition.
London, 1856.
Dr. Mead's Account of the Viper. Appendix by Dr.
Mitchell.
Traité sur le venin du yipere. By Abbe Fontana. Trans-
lated by J. Skinner. London, 1787.

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND EXCERPTIONS.
231
Lacepede (Gallus), 1st vol.
Ptolemao Philadelpho. Lib. 16. Cap. 39.
The Reptiles of British India. By A. C. L. G. Günther.
8vo. London, 1864. Robert Hardwicke, No. 192 Piccadilly.
Published by the Ray Society.
An Illustrated Catalogue of all the Snakes of Australia.
By Gerard Krefft. Sydney, 1869. 4to. Printed for the
Government, by T. Richards.
Medical Zoology by Stephenson.
Bell's British Reptiles.
Darwin's Voyage of the Beagle.
Jones's Natural History.
Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge. Researches
upon the Venom of the Rattlesnake. By S. Weir Mitchell,
M.D. D. Appleton & Co.: New York.
Crotalus Horridus and Yellow Fever. By C. Neidhard,
M.D. William Radde (now Boericke & Tafel): New York,
1868. Second Edition.
Notes on Kaferistan, by Captain Raverty.
Wise's History of Medicine among the Asiatics.
Schneider; Amphibia. Jena, 1799.
Geography of the United States of Colombia. Edited by
F. Perez. 2 vols. Bogota, 1862.
Prince Lucien Bonaparte's Analysis of Viper Venom. 1843.
Gaz. Tosc delle se Medicofis.
Catalogue of North American Reptiles ; Smithsonian Insti-
tution. By S. F. Baird and C. Girard. Washington, D. C.,
1853.
Rymer Jones, Anatomy and Physiology.
I. L. Soubeiran, De la Vipere. Paris, 1855.
Owen, On the Skeleton and Teeth. Philadelphia, 1854.
Claude Bernard. Leçons sur les effets des substances tox-
iques, etc. Paris, 1857.

232
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND EXCERPTIONS.
Robert Boyle. De Utilitate, &c. London (Lindiviæ). 1
vol. 4to. 1692.
David Brainerd, M.D. On the Nature and Cure of Bites ·
of Serpents, &c. Smithsonian Reports, 1854.
Cantor. London Zoological Transactions. II.
Jean Louis Chabert. Du Huaco (Guaco) et ses vertus medi-
cinales. 8vo. 1853.
John Davy on Snake-stones. Asiatic Researches. Vol.
XIII. 4to.
Dumeril and Bibron. Erpétologie Générale, VI et VII.
Paris, 1844.
Geoffroy and Humauld. Mémoire de l'Académie des Sci-
ences. Paris, 1737.
Herran. Journal de Pharmacie. 3d Series, XVIII. Paris,
1850.
Kalm. Travels in America. 1753.
Koster. Voyage au Brésil. II, p. 247.
Nicholas B. L. Manzini. Histoire de l'inoculation, &c.
Paris, 8vo. 1858.
Dr. George B. Halford. A paper read before the Victoria
Society of Melbourne, Australia, June, 1870.
Orfila. Traité de Toxicologie. Paris, 1852.

INDEX
Adder, Puff, of Africa, 97
Death, of Australia, 98
Africa, South, Vipera in, 100
Ammonia, externally, and injected, useless as an antidote to snake-
poisons, 139, 143
Analogy between Crotalus poisoning and certain diseases, 211
Antidotes of serpent-venom, used by Curers, 186
list of 41 substances used by Curers, 188
galls of serpents, 192, 199, 209
Aristolochia Colombia, 193
directions for using, 194
serpentaria Virginia, 196
cedron, simaba cedron, 196
Valdivia nut, 196
guaco, 196, 197
alcohol, remarkable case, 198
Dr. Mitchell's list of, (5), 199
cocksflower, 45, 200
Solobasta aristolochia grandiflora Colombia, 201
Antioquia, United States of Colombia, Vipera in, 102
Aristolochia milhomens, provings of, 216–221
Colombiana, provings of, 221-222
Australia, Vipera in, 101
Author's experience, prefatory notice of, 9
Baruch, Dr., cures phthisis florida with theridion curassav., 227
Bernard, M., experiments on effects of poisons, 125
Bibliography, list of works referred to, 230-232
Blood, human, analysis of (figure), 116–119
effect of snake-poison in, 144-148
Boa constrictor, 36
20

234
INDEX.
Boericke, Dr., his specimen of Lachesis trigonocephalus described, 94
Bolivar, United States of Colombia, Vipera in, 102
Bora, 43
Boyaca, United States of Colombia, Vipera in, 104
Buffon's classification of Ophidians, 13
Bufo s. causes and cures impotency, 224
Carbolic acid, action of, on Cobra and on frog, 164-171
Cauca, United States of Colombia, Vipera in, 104
Caquetta, United States of Colombia, Vipera in, 105
Classification of serpents, Günther's, 21
Cobra, taming of, 52
changeable color of, 76
vomiting of blood caused by Cobra-bites, 228-229
Copperhead, 63
Coral snake, 64
curious mode of cleansing poison-fangs of, 65
varieties of, 67
sexual commerce of, 67
Cotton-mouth, water moccasin, 98
Crotalus, fetid smell of, whence the name, 86, 100
“ bites high,” 87
fasciatus, banded rattlesnake, 81
poisonous action of, Dr. Lilienthal, 227
Crotalidæ, thirty-nine varieties, 75–88
Cundinamarca, United States of Colombia, Vipera in, 105
Curers, snake, superstition of, 96
secret methods of, 202-208
recognize the snake by the bite, 97
Deafness, chronic, cured with Elaps corallinus gall, 225
Death-adder of Australia, 93
Deaths, annual, from snake-bites in India, 134
Elaps corallinus poison, effects of, 108
Elapidæ naja, forty varieties, 48-55
ophiophagus, many varieties, 55-68
Electricity, relation of atmospheric, to venom of serpents, 86, 116
Experiments (124) with serpent-poison on fowls and animals, 161-173
summary of, 174-175

INDEX.
235
Family groups of serpents, four, 21
eight, 22
Fangs, poison, 47–48
extracted, 53
of aquatic snakes, 72
loss and repair of, 100
very long in Callophides intestinalis natis, 59
Fayrer's, Dr., report of cases of poison, 153-161
Flame snake, 97
Fontana, Abbe, experiments of, 120
Formula expressive of poison action, 109
Gall, animal, antidote for its poison, 9
of snake, relation of, to its poison, 136
an antidote to its poison, 148, 192, 199
mode of preparation, 208–209
administration, 210
fatal effect of 100 drops, 226
Gangrene caused by Viper-poison, 228
Günther's classification of serpents, 21
Halford, Prof. G. B., experiments with hypodermic injections of am-
monia, 143
Hering, Dr. C., Lachesis trigonocephalus of, 94
Height above the sea, relation of to serpent-venom, 185
Holmes, Dr., "Elsie Venner,” reference to, 192
Horned viper, Cerastes, 98
Hydrophidæ, seven species, 68-74
Impotency caused and cured by Bufo s., 224
Kabirájes, “fathers in medicine,” their preparation and use of snake-
poisons in medicine, 150
Krait, 56, 160
Lachesis-poison, sudden action of, 228
vipera trigonocephalus, of Hering, 94
Library of British Museum, 6
Ligature, inefficacious in snake-bites, 138
Lilienthal, Dr., on Crotalus poison, 227

236
INDEX.
Magdalena, United States of Colombia, Vipera in, 106
Menstruation in woman aggravates serpent-poisoning ; increases the hem-
orrhage, 191
influence of on living serpents, 191
Methods of cure (three), secret of the Curers, 202–208
Mitchell's, Dr. S. W., on rattlesnake and Crotalus-poison, 120-132
conclusions, 132-134
Mure, Dr., 67
Music, influence of on snakes, 53
7
Naja tripudians, neurotic action of, 228
Ophidia colubriformes, uropeltidæ, 26
calamarida, 27
oligodoritida, 28
colubridæ, 29
Æsculapii, 29
comalopsidæ, 34
psammophidæ, 36
dendrophida, 36
dryiophidæ, 38
dipsadidæ, 38
lycodontidæ, 39
amblycephalidæ, 39
pythonidæ, 40
erycidæ, 43
acrochordidæ, 44
venenosi, elapidæ, 45, 48, 68
general description of, 45
poison-fangs of, 47
hydrophidæ, 45, 68, 74
viperiformes, crotalidæ, 45, 75, 88
viperidæ, 45, 88, 116
description, general, of, 46
cobra, 49, 53
naja ophiophagus, 55
colubriformes, 22
typhlopida, 22
tortricidæ, 25
xenopeltidæ, 25
Ophidians, Buffon's classification of, 13

INDEX.
237
Phosphorescent properties of Vip. cal. rub., 112
Panama, United States of Colombia, Vipera in, 106
Poison of snakes, nature and analysis of, 119
Crotalas, 119, 120, 121, 227
rattlesnake, 120
Crotalus, effect of on Crotalus, 123
other vipers, 124
snakes, mode of experimenting with, 137
Cobra, experiments with, in London, 139
snakes, use of as a medicine, in Bengal, 150
Cobra, action of on cold blooded animals, 162
and Bungarus, action of on cold- and warm-blooded ani-
mals, 163
Daboia, and strychnine as antidote, 166
on horses and other animals, 167
snakes, 124 experiments with, 161-173
Cobra, appearance of under a microscope (plate), 177
in blood of a dog and a fowl (plate), 178
a
Vipera daboia Russellii in blood of a dog (plate), 179
Poisons as remedial agents, 210
of Crotalus horridus, proving of, 213
Lachesis trigonocephalus, proving of, 213
Elaps corallinus, proving of, 214
Amphisbena vermicularis, proving of, 215
Poison of snakes in blood of fowls (plate), 179, 180
crystals from (plate), 182
effects of on muscular fibre (plate), 183
Poisons, action of, clinical notes on, 223
relative value of as medicines, 224
cures by, Dr. Mure, 225
Puff adder, of Africa, 97
Rattlesnake, banded, 81
description of in North and South America, 81, 86
poison of, a cure for leprosy, 87
fatal experiment with, 87
Rotter, Podre dora, birri, 99
Santander, United States of Colombia, Vipera in, 107
Secret methods of cure by the Curers, now first published (three), 202–208

238
INDEX.
“Serpents, fiery," of Bible, introduction, 5
four family groups of, 21
eight family groups of, 22
North American, table of species of, 14-20
Serpent worship, ancient, 11
symbolism of, 11
Sigmas, illustration of serpent-poison, 177, 184
Snake, double-headed, 23
blind, 24
milk, or house, 29
thunder, or king, 29
black, Schwartze schlange, 32
green, 33
Fresh water, 34, 68
grass, or ring, 35
Cockscomb, 36
Tree, dendrophidæ, 36
golden, 38
whip, coach, emerald, 38
nocturnal tree, 38
ground, 39
blunt-heads, 39
rock, 40
diamond, 40
carpet, 40
black-headed, 40
children's, 40
olive-green, 40
Gilbert's, 40
aboma, rigid boa of Mexico, 40
Port Natal, 25 feet long, 40
common (East Indian), 40
bora, 31 feet long, 43
edible (East Indian), 44
sand, 43
hood, 52
wart, 44
copperhead (cerastes), 61, 62, 63
coral, 64
spew, 55
aquatic, 68

INDEX.
239
Snake, banded, rattle, 81
flame, 97
Snake-bites, 65 cases officially reported to East India Government, 153-160
Species of North American serpents, table of, 14-20
other serpents, 20
Shields on head of snakes, 46
Tanjore pill, composition of, 173
Toxical effects of Elaps corallinus, 108
Vipera lachesis bufocephalus, 109, 226
os flavus, yellow-mouthed, 110, 148
niger, 111
calamaris venenosus, 111
pseudechis major, 111
echis striata, 111
calamaris venenosus rubrum, 111
Crotalus cascabella, 112
Theridion curassav., in phthisis florida, Dr. Baruch, 227
Tolima, United States of Colombia, vipera in, 107
Venom-gland, structure of (plate), 184
Viper, lives a year without food or water, 91
niger, receives her young into her mouth, 94
horned, cerastes, vicious-looking, 98
Vipers, additional varieties, 100
21 South African, 101
27 Australian, 101
Vipera lachesis trigonocephalus (Hering), 94
lance-headed, 88
fatality of poison of, 88
Viperidæ, 63 varieties, 88-116
Vomiting of blood caused by Cobra-bites, 228
Worm snake, vermic. amphis., 98
Yellow fever, relation of to serpent-poison, 129, 131.

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UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
3 9015 06345 1663
UNIVERSTY OF MICHIGAN LIBRARY
. CONSERVATION UNIT
Examination and treatment records
are on file.
Call # QL 666.06 H64_
Job # 98.74
Work by TOM HOGARTH
Date SEPTEMBER 1998