The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1919-09-25

a length of 80 feet. Second in size is
the Indian python, inhabiting the In
dian Peninsula, Indo-Chia, the Malay
Peninsula and Java. This constric-
tor grows to be % feet long and Is
very abundant.
Throughout the temporal and
tropical regions of the globe are spe-
cies of serpentS of high economic
value. These are mostly the men,
bers of the largest family of snakes,
the colubridae. The greater number
of the non-venomous serpents belong
to this family. Our familiar black
snake and king snake are members
of this family. In some parts OF the
world the rodent eating species are
protected by law. Distributed
througout India it large and active
species known as the rat snake. Its
Useful habits are recognized in many
areas This is likewise the case with
Ia closely related species found
throughout tropical America. The
creole French call the latter the crl-
DO. and in the coastal regions, where
the bubonic plague has appeared
there is a fine imposed for the kill
ing of rat-eating snakes.
"Queerly enough we find some OF
the deadliest known serpents belong
ing to the same family as the non
venomous special. The Indian Ocean
and the waters of the tropical Pacl-
tic are inhabited by great number
OF wholly aquatic, veritable sea SER
pents that possess deadly fangs and
sometimes swim in schools of count
less thousands. These snakes have
q paddle like tail to assist them IN
swimming.
Another offshoot is the subfamlly
containing the formidable cobras and
their allies. The members of this i'm
portant subfamily are treacherously
deceptive in appearance. Here we
have an admirable illustration OF
how incorrect it is to believe poi
soaous snake may be told by the
possession OF a heart shaped head.
4 number OF the most deadly known
snakes belong to this family.
Most spectacular of the elapine
se-pents are the cobras, or hooded
snakes. The genus Naja, Of Indian,
MALAYSIA, and Africa, contain ten OF
these reptiles, of which the most
conspicuous is the Indian or specta-
cled cobra. Members of several al
lied genera rear the body from the
ground and spread the neck in SIM
liar fashion.
"Some of the African cobras dis
play a dangerous habit Of splttlng
poison at the intruder. The ringhals,
genus, sepedon, of Southern Africa,
is pitchy black, exceedingly vicious
cobra that receives its name from
one or two broad white bands that
show on the neck when the snake Is
reared in fighting pose. AS the snake
arches its neck to glare at the intru-
der it is liable to eject fine jets OF
poison for a distance of six to eight
feet. These deadly streams are dan
gerously well aimed.
"The Indian cobras seldom eject
their venom in this way. They are
the most spectacular of their group
owing to the vivid markings on the
hood. With some specimen these
appear like grinning deaths head
These are much sought by the Hin
du for his snake charming exhibi-
tions.
sIn strong contrast to the grace
full elapine poisonous snakes, the
members of the viper family are
thick-bodied and forbidding in ap-
pearance. Africa is the home OF the
typical vipers, and number of these
snakes inhabiting that continent are
the most hideously ugly reptiles in
existence.
"The gaboon viper ranges over the
whole of tropical Africa. The body
is exceedingly thick, stub-tailed, with
a huge, spade-shaped head. Instead
of progressing in ordinary fashion,
this reptile throws forward lateral
loops of the body and moves along
in an oblique direction to that in
which the head is pointing. A cap
tive specimen displayed the trait OF
striking backwards"