Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-08-16

size Of the snake, the number Of blood vessels in
the part bitten, and the condition Of the system
at the time. The poison gland of the poisonous
serpent Is situated at the side of the SKULL
oehind the eys and Is provided with an excre-
tory Duct which opens through deep groove
on the outer surface of the fang. At the will of
the serpent the venom may or may not be deliv-
cred with the bite. In the rattlesnake and cop
perhead the fang lies concealed in q groove In
the lining membrane of the mouth. when not
required for offensive or defensive 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 for
ward; 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.
10y means OF the muscles which ordinarily close
the Jaws, and by some special muscles devel-
oped, apparently, tor the direct purpose of COM
pressing the poison gland. The fangs are made of
very hard and brittle material. resembling bone,
are very sharp,i and. of slender form; thus there
is great probability of their being broken.
Ihere ls conse1 uently, ample provision against
accidents OF this kind, in the shape of reserve
fangs'-two or three of these rudimentary
weapons being in process Of development at all
times. As soon those in use are drawn out
or broken off one of the reserve fangs very soon
grows into the vacant place.
HOW SNAKE STRIKES.
'It Is generally understood" the speaker
went on. ''that when a serpent strikes at an OBJ
ject it can jumpa considerable distance; such is
not the case. Very angry individuals strike
whether coiled or not. They do not Jump; the
hinder part of the body remains in position, and
none of our snakes are in the habit of re aching
more than half their length, and under no cir
cumstances can they reach over their length.
Most OF a serpent's power is in his tail. and if
that part is damaged or cut of. he is at the
mercy 0fhs enemy, as he is then, to great eX-
tent, helpless
After wounding it fatally the snake watches
its prey very intently until the venom has pro-
duced 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 intent
gazing at squirrels birds, &C., in their dying
agonies has given rise to the erroneous
ideas concerning fascination. All there is in
fascination or charming Is to be accounted
for by the fact just mentioned together
with the quiet almost imperceptlble motion
of the snake and the recklessness and terror
ism of the prey. Venom hastens decomposi-
tlon, and thus renders digestion more rapid.
HOW TO CURE A BITE.
con receiving bite" said Mr. Rheem, sthe
first thing to be done is to suck out as much
poison as possible. charging the wound with
knife for the purpose. Care must be taken that
the paosOn sucking the wound has no cuts or
sores on the lips or mouth; otherwise, the
poison would have as much effect on them as
the person 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 possible. Washing the
wound with ammonia Is recommended. as also
drinking diluted mixture of ten or
hfteen drops in glass of water.
Alcoholic stimulants are undoubtedly ben
eficial if not taken in excess in which case they
become sedative, and assist rather than couu-
teract the poison.
The rattle Of the rattesnake is formed of
horny rings or shells, of which the first is firmly
attached to the end of the TAIL and each of the
others loosely grasps that in front of it, and is
Itself srasped BY the next in order. 1t is be-
leved that one joint is added to the number
eachyear. Thisis but approximately true. There
are variations connected with the different ages
and rates of growth. the extent of which have
not been fully determined. The joints are so
easily worn out and broken that it is seldom
the case that a large snake has the complete Sc
ries.'
Can snakes be trained like other creatures?"
asked THE STAR reporter.
NO" said Mr.. Rheem. 'Snakes. although
the serpent figures as a symbol OF wisdom. have
very little intelligence or instinct that can be
cultivated. These persons in dime museums or
side shows who claim to be snake charmers
simply know that they can handle the snakes
they never handle poisonous snakes. but the
people see them wind snakes about their
bodies and, knowing little about snakes, think
the performer possesses some wonderful power
over reptiles. | handle them in the same way
and you could do it if you choose" Mr.. Rheem
conducted the reporter to a case i'm the National
Museum. where large black snake and bull
snake, six feet long, were living together in
amity. He first took the black snake from the
case and, after stroking it and letting it wind
Itself about his neck and limbs, went through
the same performance with the bull snake
''There's a great deal in knowing how to han
die the snakes" said Mr.. Rheem. .You see, 1
do not grasp them tightly. but let them slip
loosely through my hands. They like to feel
the warmth of the body" The reporter was in
vited to take the same liberties with the snake,
but declined and took his leave