Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1899-04-14

specimens show that they are properly
classified in this collection. Notably
are the gigantic white ants which have
been found in Liberia and sent TO the
scientists of the institution. They are
of different sizes, comprising SOL
diers," workers" and queens" One
of the latter shown was about an inch
long. The jaws of the workers are
powerfully developed, Some varieties
of the ants build mounds as high or
higher than a man, in which they live.
a member of the expedition told the
writer that he threw rat in among a
lot of them on the march, and in few
minutes only the bones were left, the
flesh having been removed by the crea-
lures. If person gets in their way in
the forest they make things lively for
him.
One of the greatest curiositics in the
reptile line comprised in that collec-
tion is Florida rattlesnake of the
diamond" variety, about 6h feet in
length and nine inches in circumfer-
ence. The scales of the "rattlcr" are
like those on large fish, and its head is
as large as n mans fist.
1t must have been in life, as it is now
in alcohol, terribly repulsive object,
and n most formidable one to meet in
combat. The specimen was the largest
of the rattlesnake variety ever seen by
any of the persons connected with the
department. The poison fangs, which
are located in the upper jaw, are nearly
half an inch In length, and are hooked,
being as sharp as needles. There are
two of them, sometimes three, and
there are always what are known as
"supernumerary" ones, ready TO take
the place of any that are broken or re-
moved.
The fangs of the Liberian viper, or
"bitis gabonica," though the snake is at
least one-thrd smaller are about as
large as those of the giant rattlesnake.
Even if there were no poison glands the
simple bite would tear mans hand ter
ribly.
Another specimen which was sent 10
the museum by DR.. Abbott, the famous
Philadelphia explorer, from India, is
that of snake nearly IA feet in length.
Its head is nearly as large as that of q
baby. The reptile is regarded as n most
curious specimen and one of great in
terest in the reptile collection.
These snakes constitute very small
portion of the collections; but they are
given special mention because they are
SO specially hideous and dangerous, as
well as repulsive. Besides, 1t would not
be interesting to describe the kinds of
snake which we have been accustomed
to see since childhood, and the rat
tiers who have lain coiled up un-
der a blackberry bush, warning us in
time to get out of harms way; warn
ing which we have often rewarded with
club or barrel of shotfrom our shot
gun.
When you come to Washington by all
means look over the snake collection;
but come sober and be in your right
mind, or else you will be likely to lave
some one play upon you as some con-
gressmen did few years ago upon one
OF their colleagues from Tennessee. He
had been drinking to excess, and some
of his colleagues put him in a cab and
drove to the museum. The victim was
sleeping when he arrived there, was
carried to an easy chair, and permitted
TO sleep for nn hour Whenhe awakened
there was boa constructor coiled up
before him. He howled for help, but
nobody came. Casting his eyes TO either
side, he saw pythons and rattlesnakes
coiled ready TO strike. He looked in
terror about him, not daring to move,
but calling for help. Finally, thorough
ly convinced that he was suffering with
mania a potu. he shouted: "I've got
'em," and rushed past the snakes, head
ing for the door, when he met his con-
gressional colleagues, who assured him
that he was in the national museum,
and that he was SOLDERING up.
Fortunately the practical joke worked
so well that he never has since taken a
drop of strong liquor.
SMITH d. FRY.