The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-11-14
xxxons ABour SNAKES.


Madras A&tl-
King solomon acknowledged that
there we're three things which are
too wonderful for rae. yea, four which
I know not, - and one OF these was
. the way of 4 serpent upon rock.
and for wears the mode OF progression
OF ! snake remained TO men of science
a much a mystery as it was to Solo
mon. Ii is thought that the absence
Of limbs is a great disadvantage to
snakes. but the fact Is their ries take
the place of limbs. 50 that instead OF
having two pairs they sometimes nave
over two hundred Aristotle thought
they had as many ribs Is there are
DAYS in the month. butin fact the NUM-
her varies and reaches four hundred IN
pythons. The movement OF the
snakes ribs have been iikened 10 those
OF caterpillar's legs Each vertebra
supports pair Of ribs which act ike
a pair OF legs having the extrenities
connected together by a broad plate
the hind part of the plate Is Tree and
when the ribs are moved forward This
end Is raised so that ii takes hold oil
any roughness or irregularlfy OF the
ground. When rapid motion is re-
auired some portion OF the body in
front gains q purchase by means OF
the yentrai shields on some projection
in the ground, the ribs are drawn to-
gether on alternate sides, throwing the
body into alternate curves. some por-
ton of the hinder part OF tie body
gains a purchase and the fore part IS
Strengthened out.
1t IS an error to think that they
move forward in n series OF vertical
coils, or that they move forward with
rapidity. Mr.. Ferguson once followed
a large snake and found smart walk
sufficient TO keep up with it. Nor do
snakes exercise any fascination over
their victims. Pepys alleged that they
elected poison on larks in full flight,
50 that they fell into their mouths, bat
in fact chickens, rats, guinea pigs.
rabbits and hens show no fear OF
snakes when given to the latter in a
cage. A hen has been known to roost
on python, and one has been known
to peck at snakes tongue in motion,
evidently taking it for an insect or
worm.
When it has killed its prey either by
construction or poison, the snake is
supposed to salivate or lubricate the
meal by means of its tongue. This is
not the case. as the tongue is too small
to lubricate the tiniest bird. The
stake moves its head about the prey,
feeling with its tongue for the right
part to begin upon, and when that is
in its mouth. but not till then, the
salivary glands begin to aid degiuti-
ton.
The functions OF snakes tongue
have also been the subjects OF popular
error. Job speaks of the viper's
tongue Staying one, and Shakespeare
is full of similar remarks. The tongue
is really very delicate organ of touch.
for the eyes are so placed that the
snake cannot see in front or below,
and by means of its tongue itliterally
feels its way. The stories OF two
headed snakes owe their origin to the
existence OF species, Bungayus .fdsci-
atus. which possesses an abrupt round
ed tail, that is sometimes mis-
taken for a second head. The popular
notion that every snake is poisonous
is of course absurd. but the proper
ton of poisonous to harmless snakes
is much less than is generally sup
posed. In India only one genus in
ten is poisonous. and the same proper
ton is probably accurate as to indi-
viduals also.
In all Southern India there are only
IL kinds of poisonous snakes, the lar
gest being the hamadryad, which
reaches 15feet In length. A bite from
one of these would probably produce
death in three minutes; it has the rep
utation of being fierce and ready to at
tack on the slightest molestation. The
cobra is timid; the charmers who play
a pipe in front of it do no. attract it
by the music, for it is nearly deaf, but
by the movement from side to side,
which is followed by the snake. The
bites of some species of poisonous
snakes are not fatal at all, and merely
produce little pain and swelling of
the injured member.