Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1911-04-08
A DEADLY REPTILE
The Fer-de-Iance the Most Ven-
omous of All Serpents.

goose Its Most Formidable Enemies
Every one Is perfectly we'll aware
that there exists large number OF
venomous serpents-we have many OF
them right here in the United States
the RATHER. for example-but probably
no other spot in the known world has
such 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
enifically known as Trigoncephalus
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 a dark gray
and black speckled. which coloring
enables il 10 conceal itself easily
among roots and stumps Of trees. An
other variety is clear. bright yellow.
and when hidden in the freshly cut
cane il can hardly be distinguished
from the stalks. 1t may also be dark
yellow or coal black with a yellow
belly.
1t is not large snake, rarely ex-
ceeding five feet in length and In cir
conference approximately the size of
child's arm. To repeat. the sting
means almost certain death. and
should. not the service of a physician,
or .'panseur." as the natives call him,
be obtained within a very short time
the venom does it's deadly work-the
flesh grows cold. softens, becomes
PUPPY. changes in color. quickly be-
gins to spot. and a great chilliness
creeps through the blood. This lasts
only a few minutes-possibly half an
hour-then death
Ii 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 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 tree.
There is. however. a heroic method
by the Martiniquans. 1t is the i'm
mediate amputation of the leg or arm
If the sting happens to be in either.
Even this has TO be done at once and
before the venom circulates through
the system. There are to be seen
today upon the island many natives
with limbs missing, and in the ma
jority OF cases 1t is the result of hav-
ing the machete, or cane knife. APP
piled after an experience with fer-de-
lance.
The fer-de-lance is a fighter-and no
mistake about it-aggressive and pug
nacious. and domestic animals, with
the cat as the one exception, stand a
very poor show in a battle. Pussy, In
about nine cases out Of ten, will come
out of the scrap with colors flying be-
cause of the fact that 1t Is apparently
quite as quick in movement and at the
same time uses what may be termed
ring generalship.
There is but one animal other than
the cat that successfully wages war
upon the fer-de-lance. 1t is the mon
/ goose dchneumonl imported from In
dia a number OF years ago for the
sole purpose of getting rid of the
snakes
OF the weasel family and looking
very much like it, this little animal Is
| absolutely fearless so far as snakes
| Cd inc q readily
tackle one five feet In length as one
foot long From the mongoose the
fer-de-ance will fee, but If cornered
will put up a great fight, using ey-
cry trick at its commando useless
sort of contest, however, for within
short time it will be stretched out
lifeless.
A battle between these two natural
enemies is well worth witnessing. II
is never a Limited" fight. but to O
finish always. and probably the snakes
by this time have come to understand
that when they enter such combat
1t is with the odds greatly against
them.
The mongoose is quite as clever 1
ring general as the cat anu uses Ina
gift to advantage. Strategy more thar
strength is its asset.
When they meet. and II the snake
sees no avenue of escape, 1t prepares
for battle. as does the mong0ose. bu
in a more lelsurely manner. 1t take
about one minute for them TO get full.
prepared. There is no shaking hands
so to speak. as by prizehghters.
The mongoose circles about the rep
tile. always at a safe distance ant
drawing fire." inviting it by MOVING
closer and closer to dart out its hea'
} and then quickly jumping out o
harms way. 1t torments in ever.
possible manner. causing the snake {
change position time and time again
firing ii by forcing a strike again an
! again without ever reaching the OF
jective point At last. seeing its or
ponent at some particular disadvaI
/ tage the mongoose springs forwar
quick as bolt of lightning. catche
II firmly with the teeth behind tn
triangular head-a shake. possibly two