. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Reptiles; Fishes; Mollusks; Natural history; Reptiles; Poissons; Mollusques; Sciences naturelles. rUFF AUhER.—Clulho urUlmf. An infuriated Puff Adder presents a very unprepossessing appearance. I once saw a lemale of this species m a most excited state. She had been disturbed in lier retreut under an old stump by some Kathrs, wlio were widening the liiohroad tlirongli the Bum busli at Natal. Slie had several young ones with her, and showed tight immediately she was discovered. The Kalllrs were determined to kill the whole family, but were fearful
. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Reptiles; Fishes; Mollusks; Natural history; Reptiles; Poissons; Mollusques; Sciences naturelles. rUFF AUhER.—Clulho urUlmf. An infuriated Puff Adder presents a very unprepossessing appearance. I once saw a lemale of this species m a most excited state. She had been disturbed in lier retreut under an old stump by some Kathrs, wlio were widening the liiohroad tlirongli the Bum busli at Natal. Slie had several young ones with her, and showed tight immediately she was discovered. The Kalllrs were determined to kill the whole family, but were fearful of approaclung her. Happening to pass at the time of the discovery, I organized a riii<' and, procuring some large stones, directed the Kallirs to oi)en iire. After a few minutes the excited lady was killed, and she and her young were carefully buried in a retired loca ity est some bare-footed Kalhr might tread upon her hJad, and thus meet his death. Tliere is certainly in nature no more fearful an object than a full-grown I'uff Adder Ihe creature grovels on the sand, winding its body so as to bury itself almost wholly in the tawny soil, and Just leaving its flat, cruel-looking head lying on the ground and free from sand. Ihe steady, malignant, stony glare of those eyes is absolutely as the creature lies motionless, confident in its dearlly powers, and when roused^bv the approach ot a passenger, merely exhibiting its by raising its head an uich or two ami uttering a sharp angry Even Jiorses have been bitten bv this rei-tile, and died witliia a few hours after the injury was inflicted. The peculiar attitude which is exhibited in the ,u is taken from life, one of the ruff Adders in the collection of the Zoolo-ncal Society having been purposely irritated. In the background is seen another individual of tlie same species, as it usually lies, half-buried in the sandy .soil. It is rather curious that the juice of tobacco is an instant poison
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubj, booksubjectfishes, booksubjectmollusks
