The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-09-12
The u. S. Govt Reports
show Royal Baking Powder
superior to elf Others.
VENoMOUS PHILIPPINE SNAKES
Formidable Creatures, More Deadly
Than the Cobra.


Than the Cobra.
Not only do various reptiles and
other queer creatures abound in the
forests and swamps of the Philippines,
but the surrounding water of these in
teresting islands TEEN with veritable
sea serpents. These strange creatures,
which pass their entire existence in the
water, possess deadly fangs. They are
a great menace to the fishermen, who
are constantly exposed TO their at
tacks.
Technically speaking, science has
named the group they constitute the
hydrophidae. They differ from the ter
reStrial snakes only in the possession
of fiat paddlelike tail. These reptiles
inhabit the tropical seas of the old
world, and occasionally attain a length
of eight feet. DR.. Rudolph Weber. pro-
fessor of drawing in Princeton univer-
sity, observed large numbers of these
creatures while on a steamer bound
for Sumatra DR.. Weber was in charge
Of a scientific expedition. and naturally
| took especial notice of them. He says
that when the vessel was some 80 miles
off the coast myriadS of sea snakes
could be seen swimming about as far
as the eye could reach. They kept
upon the surface, and several distinct
species were recognized among them
During calm weather these reptiles
may be seen summing themselves upon
the surface of the sea, Remaining mo-
tionleSs except for a slight undulation
caused by the movement of the water
When alarmed the agile reptiles dive
like arrows. leaving a train of bubbles
behind them. Some species are extreme
ly brilliant in coloration. being bright
yellow banded with black, while others
green.
The food of sea snakes consists en-
tirely of fishes. Frequently fishes armed
with long, sharp spines fall victims to
their appetiteS. Among these are the
apogous and siluroids, which are fur
nished with spines three and five inches
long. But these do not embarrass the
voracious reptile in the least. The VIC
tim is first killed by the snakes poison,
after which it is swallowed head first.
The spines, naturally pointing toward
the tail of the victim, and being re-
Taxed in death, are compressed against
the body of the fish as deglutition pro-
ceeds. While in search of their prey
sea snakes sometimes venture a short
distance up the mouth of large rivers.
DR.. Weber records an instance where
he was fishing in one of the rivers on
the east coast of Sumatra- He was US
Der of medium sized fish. AS the net
was being brought in two large sea
snakes suddenly made their appear
ance inside. They showed no signs of
uneaSiness at capture but were hur-
riedly gobbling down the cornered
fishes. Nor did they cease operations
until the last fish had disappeared.
when the formidable creatures made
their escape.
Raippr air. braa fharS tho 500 cDal.aS
lead a similar existence to the whale.
Scientists have expressed much interest
as to how long they can remain under
water. Professor r. P Whitfield OF the
American Museum of Natural History.
while dragging for corals, saw a large
sea snake lying motionless among some
coral growths, some eight feet below
the surface 1t showed no signs Of fear
and remained in the same position for
half an hour. The venom of these rep
tiles is even more deadly than that of
the cobra The fangS are short and
consequently do not penetrate, but just
a scratch from them is necessary to
produce serious results. Owing to their
great shyness, accidents are rare. When
cornered, they snap and bite viciousiy,
retaining their hold upon a victim. AS
the eyes are adapted only for use in the
water, they strike blindly when brought
into the air although living for days
when removed from their native ele-
ment
Many specimens hauled up in fisher
mems nets have been sent to geological
gardens. The London gardens even go
ing so far as to build a special tank for
their accommodation. But these cap
tured specimens either die en- route OF
a short time after being placed in cap
tivity. Seeing a. dark corner of their
tank they refuse all food and ultimately
starve TO death. Around the numerous
volcanic islands of the Malayan archi-
pelago these reptiles are particularly
numerous. Frequent eruptions occur
among these islands, which are hardly
more than the body of the volcano
During the time of an eruption the few
people residing near by take to the
water in their boats. to escape the rain
of ashes and mud. II is generally a case
of jumping from the frying pan into
the fire, however. AT such times the sea
becomes uncomfortable warm from its
close proximity TO the burning noun
tain. and the sea snakes swim wildly
about trying to escape. They endeayor
to climb over the gunwales of the refu-
gees boats, while they twine their bo-
dies in great masses about the forward
chains.
When about to lay their eggs. these
serpents approach the shore. The eggs
are laid above high-water mark, and
left 10 hatch by the heat of the sun.
Many creatures prey upon the young
reptiles. Among their enemies are
sharks and other large fishes. while the
adults. in spite of their death-dealing
fangs, fall victims to sea gulls and
large gulls. After the great typhoons
which are common in the Philippines
and their vicinity. many of these crea-
lures may be found along the beach.
where they have been cast nm dilrinsr
the storm and killed by the violent
pounding OF the waves.
The gigantic sea serpents so often