Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-03-05
ERRORS ABOUT SNAKES.
Facts Evolved as to Their Methods
Life and Action.

Life and Action.
King Solomon acknowledged q At
there were three things which are too
wonderful for me, yea, four which |
know not and one OF these was "the
way OF serpent upon rock" and for
years tho mode OF progression OF
snake remained TO men OF science as
much n mystery US It was TO Solomon.
II Is thought that the absence OF limbs
Is great disadvantage TO snakes. but
the fact is their ribs take the place OF
limbs, so that instead OF haviag two
pairs they sometimes have over two
hundred. Aristotle thought they had
MS many ribs as there are days IN the
month; but, In fact, the number varies
and reaches 400 in pythons. The
movements OF the snakes ribs have
been likened to those OF n caterI illar's
legs Each vertebra supports a pair
Of ribs which act like pair OF legs
having the extremities connected to-
gcther by broad plate; the hind part
OF this plate is free, nnd when the
ribs urc moved forward this end is
raised so that It takes hold OF
any roughness or irrcgularity OF
the ground. When rpid motion
is required some portion OF ;hc body in
front gains purchase by means OF the
ventral shields on somc projection in
the ground, tho ribs are drawn to-
gother on alternate sides, throwing the
body into alternate curves, some por-
tion OF the hinder part OF the body
gains u purchase and the fore part is
Strengthened out. 1t IL an error 10
think that they move forward in u
series OF vertical coils, or that they
move with rapidity. Mr.. Ferguson
once followed large snake and found
smart walk sufficient to keep up with
1t. Nor do snakes exercise any fascina-
tlons over their victims, Pcpys al
legged that they 'cjected poison on larks
In full flight so that they fell into their
mouths; but, in fact, chickens, rats,
guinea pigs, rabbits. hens show no fear
OF snakes when given TO the latter in a
cage. A hen has bcen known 10 roost
on n python, aud one has been known
TO peck at snakes tongue in motion,
evidently taking 1t for an insect or
worm. When IL has killed its prey,
either by construction or poison. the
snake Is supposed TO salivate or lubri-
cato the meal by means OF its tongue.
This Is not the case. as the tongue is
too small TO lubricate the tiniest bird.
The snake 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
deglutition. The functions of
snakes tongue havo also been the
subjects Of popular error. Job speaks
OF the viper's tongue Staying one, and
Shakespeare Is full OF sir.ilar remarks.
The tongue Is really very delicate
organ OF touch. for the eyes are SO
placed that the snake can not see in
front or below. and by means OF its
tongue 1t literally feels its way. The
stories OF two-headed snakes owe their
origin to the existence OF species,
Bnnyarus fdeidtus, which possesses
an abrupt rounded tail that is some
times mistaken for n second head.
The popular notion that every snake
is poisonous Is OF course absurd, but tho
proportion OF poisonous TO harmless
snakes Is much less than is generally
supposed. In India only one genus in
ten is poisonous, and the same propor-
tion is probably accurate as TO individ-
uals also. In all Southern India there
are only twelve kinds OF poisonous
snakes, the largest being the hama
dryad, which reaches fifteen feet In
lcngth. A bite from one of these would
probably produce death in three min
utes; IL has the reputation OF being
fierce and ready to attack on the slight
est molestation. The cobra is timid;
the charmers, who play pipe in front
OF Il, do not attract II by the music, for
II 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 a little pain and
swelling Of the injured member. -
Lieut.. Ferguson. in Madras Mail.