Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1913-01-09
The Kissing OF A Snake.


F. W. Fitzsimons. director OF the Pof
Elizabeth Museum, says that snakes
change their skins several times a year
before reaching the adult state. The main
reason why snakes cast their skins is to
provide for increased growth. The skin
of snake does not grow with the growth
of the body, as is the case OF warm blood
ed animals. So when IL begins to gettoo
tight il is discarded.
The Kissing of snake, Mr.. Fitzsimons
explains, is caused by the long sack-like
Jung being inflated with air, which IS tor-
cibly expelled through the glottis and
nostrils. The puff adder makes the loud
est and most prolonged hiss OF any South
African snake. When alarmed snakes
hiss with the object Of frightening OIL
their enemies. lfsnakes were not able
to make their presence known. they
would frequently be trodden upon aud
injured by the various creatures OF the
veldt, forest and mountain.
An animal will often manifest the Wild
est alarm at the sight OF snake or on
hearing one hiss, although Il has never
before come in contact with one oil these
reptiles. This power OF transmitting
experiences is" remarks Mr.. fItzsimons.
"a wonderful provision of nature. Tor 1t
every living creature had to learn entirely
by personal experience TO avoid its enc
mics and find out what kinds OF food
were wholesome or the reverse, great
number OF species would rapidly become
extinct"
Among the snakes described Is the Az
rican python. The statements In regard
10 The length these reptiles ar very con-
iliciing. Mr.. Fitzsimons says he has ex-
amined many and the longest was ~ ieet;
the average length he puts down as agout
l6 ieet, the circumference at the thickest
part being about Is inches. Pythons arc
very fond OF water and often lie alongthe
branches OF trees with their eyes liked
upon the ground below.
II something good TO eat comes along.
the snake simply drops upon 1t, the end
Of the tail gripping tight to the branch.
Pythons are not venomous. and the tales
about them swallowing people have new
er been thoroughly authenticated. Pyth-
ons will show tight when wounded or
cornered, and at these times Il is distinct
ly dangerous for man II alone 10 tackle
them.
81 have had much experience with
snakes" writes Mr.. Fitzsimons. "and
have made my business TO observe care
fully their habits and ways both Ia their
natural condition in the wild state and
captivity, and in no instance have ever
known a snake TO fascinate an animal in
the manner il is alleged to do" He has
seen two species, which he mentions.
many time in trees surrounded by a
crowd OF fluttering, chattering, excited
birds. But the birds were not fascinated
by the snake, they were eudeavoring to
intimidate il In order 10 frghten II from
their haunts.
According TO one authority, about hall
a drop OF Indian cobra venom Is suifi-
cient TO kill man. That means that a
full sized cobra would be able to eject
enough venom at single full and COM
plete bite TO kill about 20 men. The In
dian cobra yields as mnch as 20 drops.
and DR.. Hanna mentioned having obtain-
ed as much as 2S drops.
In experiments with the venom OF the
Cape cobra Mr.. Fitzsimons found that
one drop diluted in little water and In
jected into the tissues ofthe leg Of a large
monkey killed il in half an hour. A irac-
ton OF drop was sufficient to kill a rat
and fowl within half an hour. Judging
from the effects OF cobra venom on the
higher animals, Mr.. Fitzsimons consid-
ers that one full drop Is fatal dose fora
strong, healthy man.
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