The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-07-31
DEATH IN ITS STING
Fearful Effects of the Venom of
the Dreaded Fer-de. lance.
THE WORST OF ALL SERPENTS
Only Instant and Heroic Treatment Can
Save Life After Stab by Its Deadly
Fangs-A Battle With Its Enemy and
Master, the Moneoose.

"sssefp tHe moh9oose.
There exist large number Of ven.
omous serpents-we have many of
them in the United States-but prob
ably no other spot in the known world
has such death dealing snake as the
island of Martinique, in the Caribbean
sea. This Is the fer-de-lance, scientif-
ically known as Trigonocephalus lance
olatus, and 1t can, beyond the shadow
Of doubt, lay claim to being the most
deadly serpent of the earth. Its bite
means death. ....
There are eight distinct varieties, the
most common being a dark gray and
black speckled, which colorlng enables
it to conceal itself easily among roots
is clear, bright yellow, and when
hidden in the freshly cut cane it can
scarcely be distinguished from the
stalks. 1t also may be dark yellow
or coal black with yellow belly.
This is not n large snake, rarely ex-
ceeding five feet in length and in cir
conference approximately the size of
child's arm. TO repeat, the bite
means almost certain death and should
not the service of n physician, or pen
seur. as the natives call him, be OBJ
taincd within very short time the
venom does its deadly work-the flesh
grows cold. softens, becomes pulpy,
changes in color, quickly begins to
spot, and great chilliness creeps
through the blood. This lasts only a
few minutes, possibly half an hour
then death.
If the victim be fortunate enough to
get II physician upon the scene post
pierced there is hOpe-just faint hope.
But even if life be saved the danger is
not entirely removed. for in many
cases necrosis of the tissues follows
Che flesh corrupts and falls from the
bones, and the body molders as does
tree.
There is, however, heroic method
Of treatment often brought into use by
the Alartiniquians. 1t is the immedi-
ate amputation of the leg or arm If
the bite happens to be in either Even
this has TO be done at once and before
the venom circulates through the sys.
ten. There are to he seem today upon
the island many natives with limbs
missing, and in the majority of cases
1t is the result of having the machete,
or cane knife, applied after an expert
ence with n ferdc-lance.
The fer-de-lance is fighter, and no
domestic animal, with the exception of
the cat, has any chance in battle
with this serpent. The cat. however,
in about nine cnses' out tof ten will
come out Of the fight with flying COL
ors because of the fact that 1t is ap7
parently quite as quick I'm movement
and at the same time uses what might
be termed ring genernlship.
There is but one animal other than
the cat that successfully wages war
against the fer-de-lance. 1t Is the
mongoose Gchneumon). imported from
India number Of years ago for the
sole purpose of getting rid of the
snakes In Martinique.
OF the weasel family and looking
NtTN uutI llhe tnoSt tiiio
little fellow Is absolutely fearless so
far as reptiles are concerned and Will
Just as readily attack .One five feet In
length as one foot long.
From the mongoose the fer-de-lance
will fee, but If corncred will put up
great fight, using every trick at Its
command, useless sort of contest,
however, for within short time 1t
will be stretched out lifeless.
A battle between these two natural
enemies Is well worth witnessing. 1t
is never limited fight, but to n finish
always, and probably the snakes by
this time have come to understand that
when they enter such n combat 1t Is
with the odds greatly against them.
The mongoose is quite as clever
ring general "a the cat and uses that
gift to advantage Strategy more than
strength is its asset.
When they meet and If the snake
sees no avenue Of escape 1t prepares
for battle az does the mongoose, but
In Il more lcisurcly manner. 1t takes
about ono minute for them to get fully
prepared. There Is no trifilIs, how
ever.
The mongoose circles about the rep
tile, always at safe distance and
drawing fire." inviting 1t by moving
closer and closer, to dart out its head
and then quickly jumping out OF harms
way. 1t torments In every possible
manner, causing the snake to change
position time and time again without
ever reaching the objective point. At
last, seeing its opponent at some par
ticular disadvantage, the mongoose
springs forward quick as bolt Of
lightning, catches the serpent firmly
with the teeth behind the triangular
head. a shake, possibly two-no more
and in less time than 1t takes to tell
it the ferde-ance is dead, its verte-
brae severed.--Los Angeles Times.