Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-24

/ when not required for offensive or defen-
/ sive purposes. When the reptile proposes
/ to strike-fOr the act is not Of the nature
of an ordinary bite-the fangs, two in
number, in the upper jaw, are raised from
their cOncealment and projected forward;
the reptile throws his whole body for
ward, and the fangs penetrate the object
against which they are thrown. The
poisonous material is injected through
the fang, or tooth, into the wound made
BY the prick or scratch Of the fang. by
means Of the muscles which ordinarily
close the jaws, and by some special mus
cles developed, apparently, for the direct
purpose Of COMPRISING the poison gland.
The fangs are made of very hard and brit
tie material, resembling bone, are very
sharp, and Of slender form; thus there is
a great probability of their being broken.
There is, consequently, ample provision
against accidents of this kind, IN the
shape of reserve fangs'-twO or three Of
these rudimentary weapons being in pro-
cess of development at all times. As soon
as those in use are drawn out or broken off
one Of the reserve fangs very soon grows
into the vacant place.
HOW a SNAKE STRIKES.
''It is generally understood" the speak
er went on, "that when a serpent strikes
at an object it can lump a considerable
CRY individuals strike whether cO1led or
not. The do not jump; the hinder part of
the body remains in position, and none Of
our snakes are in the habit Of reaching
more than half their length, and under
no circumstances can they reach over
their length. Most Of serpents power
is in his tail, and if that part is damaged,
or cut OF, he Is at the mercy of his enc
my, as he is then, to great extent, help
less.
'After wOunding it fatally the snake
watches its prey very intently until the
venom has produced the desired effect and
the victim falls, when it appears as if an
estimate Of the size was made with chin
and tongue by passing from one end to
the other of the body before the attempt
to swallow begins at its nose. This in
tent gazing at squirrels, birds, ETC., in
their dying agOnies has given rise to the
erroneous ideas concerning fascination.
All there is in fascination or charming is
to be accounted tor by the fact just men,
toned, together with the quiet, almost
imperceptible motion Of the snake and
the reckIessness and terrorism of the prey.
Venom hastens decomposition, and thus
renders digestion more rapid.
HOW TO CURE A BITE.
son receiving a bite" said Mr.. Rheem,
.sthe first thing to De done is to suck out
ulHtn IDlEbu AS lloo1ADAGf NA4- al esAlle5 lLG
wound with a knife for the purpose. Care
must be taken that the person sucking
the wound has no cuts or sores on the
Iips OF mouth otherwise, the poison would
have as much effect on them as the per-
son bitten. At once a bandage should be
placed, as tight as possible, above the
wound, or between the wound and heart.
1t is well to cauteriZe Immediately if pos
sible. Washing the wound with ammonia
is recommended. and also drinking a d.
luted mixture of ten or fifteen drops in
glass Of water. Alcoholic stimulants are
undoubtedly beneficial if not taken in eX-
cess, in which case they become soda
tive. and assist rather than counterfeit
the poison.
The rattle Of the rattlesnakes is formed
Of horny rings or shells, of which the
first is firmly attached to the end Of the
tail, ard each of the others loosely grasps
that in front Of it, and is itself grasped
bv the next in order. 1t is believed that
one Joint is added to the number each
wear. This is but approximately true.
/ There are variations connected with the
/ different ages and rates of growth, the ex-
tent of which have not been fully deter
mined. The joints are so easily worn out
and broken that IL is seldom the case that
a large snake has the complete SERIES"
Can snakes be trained like other cTea-
/ tUres:'
mo" said Mr.. Rheem. "Snakes, al
/ though the serpent figures as a symbol of
/ wisdom, have very little intelligence or
/ instinct that can be cultivated. These
gs me 7ga Ii ia ds snake charmers Simply
know that they can handle the snakes.
! They never handle poisonous snakes, but
! fine people see them wind snakes about
I their bodies and, knowing little about
snakes. think the performer possesses
some wonderful power over reptiles.
handle them in the same way and YOU
c0uId do it if you choose" Mr.. Rheen
conducted the reporter to a case IN tht
National Museum, where a large blacl
snake and bull snake, 6 feet long, 'wer'
living together in amity. He first took IN
bIack snake from the case and, after strok
inc il and letting it wind itself about hl
neck and limbs, went through the sam
performance with the bull snake
THERE'S a Great deal in knowing how
handle the snakes" said Mr.. Rheem
You see. 1 do not grasp them tightly
but let them slip loosely through IN
hands. They like to feel the warmth {
me bodv.' The reporter was invited. |
. take the same liberties with the snake
! lint declined and took his leave.