Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1910-09-09
A DEADLY REPTILE
The Fer-de-lance the Most ven-
omous OF All Serpents.
ITS STING A DEATH WARRANT

of Martinique-The Cat and the Mon.
uoose Its Most Formidable Enemies,
Every one is perfectly well aware
that there exists large number oil
venomous serpents-we have many OF
them right here in the United Statesi
the RATHER, for example-put probably
no other spot In the known world has
such n death dealing reptile as has the
French island of Martinique. Nesting
In the limpid blue waters of the Carib'
bean sea. 1t is the fer.de lance. sci
entitically known as Trigoncephaus
lancelatus. that can beyond the shad'
ow OF doubt lay claim TO being the
most deadly serpent of the earth. Its
sting means almost certain death
There are eight distinct varieties,
the most common being II dark gray
and black speckled. which coloring
enables 1t to conceal itself easily
among roots and stumps of trees. An
other variety Is "a clear. bright yellow.
and when hidden in the freshly cut
cane IL can hardly be distinguished
from the stalks. IL may also be dark
yellow or coal black with "a yellow
belly.
1t Is not II large snake. rarely ez-
ceeding five feet in length and IN cir
cumference approximately the size of
a child's arm. 10 repeat. the sting
means almost certain denth. and
should not the service of Il physician.
or "panseur." as the natives call him.
be obtained within very short time
the venom does its deadly work-the
flesh grows cold. soflens. becomes
pnipy. changes In color. quickly be-
gins to spot. and u great chilliness
creeps through the blood. This lasts
only few minutes possibly half an
hour-then death.
IL the victim is fortunate enough TO
get a physician upon the scene post
haste and no artery or vein has been
pierced there is hope-just IL faint
hope--but even If life is saved the dan
ger is not entirely removed. for In
many cases necrosis of the tissues fol-
lows. The flesh corrupts and falls from
the bones. and the body molders as
does a tree.
There is. however. heroic method
of treatment often brought into use
by the Martiniquans. II Is the i'm
mediate amputation of the leg or arm
II the sting happens to be in either.
Even this has to be done at once and
before the venom circuates through
the system There are to be seen
today upon the island many natives
with limbs missing. aud In the ma
jority of cases II is the result of hav-
ing the machete, or cane knife. ap-
piled after an experience with a fer-de-
lance.
The fer-de-lance is a 6ghter-and no
mistake about it-aggressive and pug
nacious, and domestic animals. with
the cat as the one exception, stand
very poor show In battle. Pussy, In
out of the scrap with colors flying be-
cause of the fact that it is apparently
quite as quick in movement and at the
same time uses what may be termed
ring generalship.
There is bat one animal other than
the cat that successfully wages war
upon the fer-de-lance. 1t is the mon
goose dchneumon), imported from In
dia number of years ago for the
sole purpose of getting rid of the
snakes.
OF the weasel family and looking
very much like 1t. this little animal Is
absolutely fearless SO far as snakes
are concerned and will just as readily
tackle one five feet In length as one
foot long. From the mongoose the
fer-de-lance will flee. but If cornered
will put up great fight, using ev-
cry trick at its commando useless
sort of contest, however, for within
lifeless.
battle between these two natural
enemies 10 well worth Witnessing 1t
Is never "limited" fight. but to a
finish always. and probably the snakes
by this time have come to understand
It is with the odds greatly against
them.
The mongoose Is quite as clever u
ring general as the cat and uses that
gift to advantage. Strategy more than
strength Is Its asset.
When they meet. and II the snake
sees no avenue of escape, II prepares
for battle, as does the mongoose, but
in more leisurely manner. 1t takes
about one minute for them to get fully
prepared. There is no shaking hands
so to speak, as by prizefghlers.
The mongoose circles about the rep
tile, always at a safe distance and
drawing fire." inviting II by moving
closer and closer to dart ont It's head
and then quickly jumping out of
harms way. II torments In every
possible manner. causing the snake to
change position time and time again.
firing 1t by forcing strike again and
again without ever reaching the OBJ
1echve point. Al last. seeing Its op-
ponent at some particular disadyan-
tage. the mongoose springs forward
N..l- - 4.