[Illustration: RATTLESNAKE AND YOUNG.]

The poison of the Viper consists of a yellowish liquid, secreted in a
glandular structure (situated immediately below the skin on either side
of the head), which is believed to represent the parotid gland of the
higher animals. If a viper be made to bite something solid, so as to
avoid its poison, the following are the appearances under the
microscope:--At first nothing is seen but a parcel of salts nimbly
floating in the liquor, but in a very short time these saline particles
shoot out into crystals of incredible tenuity and sharpness, with
something like knots here and there, from which these crystals seem to
proceed, so that the whole texture in a manner represents a spider's
web, though infinitely finer and more minute. These spiculae, or darts,
will remain unaltered on the glass for some months. Five or six grains
of this viperine poison, mixed with half an ounce of human blood,
received in a warm glass, produce no visible effects, either in colour
or consistence, nor do portions of this poisoned blood, mixed with acids
or alkalies, exhibit any alterations. When placed on the tongue, the
taste is sharp and acrid, as if the tongue had been struck with
something scalding or burning; but this sensation goes off in two or
three hours. There are only five cases on record of death following the
bite of the viper; and it has been observed that the effects are most
virulent when the poison has been received on the extremities,
particularly the fingers and toes, at which parts the animal, when
irritated (as it were, by an innate instinct), always takes its aim.

F.T. BUCKLAND

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