The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-12-15

pair Of spines OF the desert hedgehog up
through the roof OF the mouth and out the
top of the head. These spines we're ex-
tracted and the snakes we're soon feeding.
One species Of African viper exhibited in
the reptile house possessed a color pattern
which IL described without the actual speci-
men being on hand to back he writer's ve-
racity might point to his being the widest
of nature takers. This snake is the rhinoce-
ros viper. 81 fest long and 3 inches in diam
eter at the thickest part Of the body. e
On the back is a series OF pale blue addle
bordered with yellow. thence enclosed in a
rhomb shaped margin OF velvety black,
Rising on the sides are pyramids Of glaring
blue, bordered with crimson Between
these bold markings is a ground hue Of the
richest olive and with a lustre like that OF
fine velvet.
This snake was captured by DIR. Samuel
p. Werner. who brought the pygmy Ota
Benga to this country. Or. Werner found
the viper coiled at the edge OF a lagoon 800
miles from the African coast. He fought
the reptile into a basket. consigned the bur-
den to a none too enthusiastic black carrier
and brought the snake out to the coast with
him.
Another poisonous snake captured bv
DIR. Werner was taken near the Gold Coast
and represents a species known as the
Gaboon viper. Of all deadly snakes this
is the thickest OF body in proportion to the
length and also the most villainOus in APP
p%earance.
When annoyed it initiates the body with
a sharp. kissing inhalation. Then the
air is exhaled to the tune Of a long hiss.
~ n AL. IL, hAaI - En-k-
hattened TO the ground and may to the
observers CONSERVATION be lurched back
ward in striking.
Most spectacular in action among the
venomous serpents are the cobras. Their
graceful rearing pose when angered is
unique among snakes.
These formidable brutes actually belong
TO the same family as the harmless snakes.
from which they differ only in the possession
OF a pair Of very short venom conducting
Kangs. The venom ia more powerful than
that Of the long fanged viPers. acting
almost entirely upon the nerve centres.
Four species nave been exhibited in the
Geological Park. These are the Malayan
king cobra, deadiiest of all snakes; the
Indian specialized cobra. the Egyptian
cobra or asp. and the South African cobra.
the last sometimes called the ringhals.
Eleven species Of cobras are known to
science and the greater number Of them are
African. Not all Of them spread a hood.
One Of the most dangerous among them
is the Egyptian cobra.
Il has a habit Of splitting Its venOm. or
at least ejecting a fine stream OF the virus
from zach fang for a distance Of from six
10 eight feet. II this fluid enters the eye
Of an observer damage begins at once. as
the venom has the power Of penetrating
mucous membranes.
To render the keepers safe in cleaning
the cobra cages the men are provided with
auto goggles. IL is amusing co note the look
Of amazefnent IN the part Of visitors when
they behold two keepers in O~veralls going
about their work attired in grOtesque and
bulging masks. Speculative remarks are
usually far from the truth.
Many times. however. the men rave felt
an OmlnOus spray upon their faces and
hands. and upon cleaning the goggles
have realized that these appliances have
warded on unpleasant results.