The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-02-06
Anecdotes of Puff Addsrs.

South Africa is what herpetoiogists call ''rich
In snakes, and especially 10 pun adders, which
on account OF their size, are among the most
dangerous, says the New York Tribune. At
this season. November being one Of the hottest
months, scarcely day passes without pun
adder incident being recorded. And, in con-
sequence OF the towns spreading sparsely over
vic districts, with detached residences sOd ex-
tensive gardens, 1t is no uncommon occurrence
70 see q pun adder meandering down the
street" Happily, in the majority or cases the
people know how TO avoid them or deal with
themi but. notwithstanding presence Of mind
and good courage fatalities do occur. An in
Ielugent school boy near where was staying
last November was Investigating an ant hill, and
put stick into hole, when puff adder,
unsuspected occupant, struck at and bit him on
the arm. Inc BOY. y years Of age, was nearly
mile from his home, whittier he fastened,
sucking the wound as he went. The wound was
promptly scarified and ammonia was applied,
but the poor fellow died in a few hours.
The delayed treatment in this case aggra-
waited the danger. The reptile even gets into
houses sometimes, as do the cobras Of India
a gentleman, J. B. Bowker, walking
across his dining room when he felt something
KNOCK against him, and. looking down, be
round puff adder hanging on his trousers 1t
Had struck at him, but most providentielly the
tangs had caught only the garment. The as
Jonlshed weareT, TO shake off the reptile per-
formed, as he afterwards declared, the most
vigorous hornpipe that ever was danced" until
no SOJ Tree OF the snake, which was then
quickly dispatched. Dogs become frequent
victims through their keen sense OF smell and
thelr determination 10 investigate One splendid
large dog and two fox terriers met with their
death last summer near Port Elizabeth through
the bite of puff adders.
Though there are other highly venomous aud
equally abundant snakes at the CAPE, they ara
more Of the active cobra kind, while the puff ad-
GERS are extremely sluggish and inactive rep
tlles which do not get out of the Gay, but lie
halI hidden among the heritage or among roots
anu stones with which they assimiate in color
~ their hiss they betrSy themselves when
danger thre ltens, and that is all.
very remarkable circumstance occurred at
Port Elizabeth where puff adder was actu
ally IN the bed of sleeping lady. That it did
not bite her can only be accounted for by the
TACT that 1t could not do so. 1t was una r the
oedclothes and had no space for action. The
iady had pet cat who was allowed to sleep in
her room. One night when too much asleep to
arouse herself she was yet conscious of some
thing lying on her chest but suppoSing it was
only her cat she did not bestir and arouse her
SELF, but fell off again into deep sumber. In
Jhe morning she saw puss asleep on chair
where she had settled herself the previous
night. and puff adder her bed. Hap
PLY these great, deadly serpents not sR
greSslve, and do not attack unless provoked.
the sleeping lady was also unaggressive, which |
fact added to the cramped-up position of the
Intruder, insured her life. One other incident |
where the snake could not possibly strike may
De mentioned A man purchased bag OF pota- |
toes at the Cape Town market, and when the |
potatoes we're turned out at his home he dis
covered that a puff adder was included in the |
bargain. That viper must have been callouS |
transit, and it IS TO be hoped that the potatoes
were well examined after being in such COM
pany, The colonlsts are wonderfully expert in
dealing with such quarry.