VII. The action of the venom of sepedon hæmachates of South Africa

Abstract

Sepedon hæmachates has received other names, such as Naja hæmachates, Naja Capensis , and Aspidelaps hæmachates . It is found at the Cape of Good Hope, Namaqualand, Clanwilliam, and elsewhere in South Africa. It is known to the Dutch as “Rhinghals” and “Spuwslang,” and in Cape Colony also as the “Brown Snake.” It measures about 2 feet in length, and has the reputation of being one of the most lethal of the South African snakes. Being a Colubrine of the sub-family of the Elapinæ, it is therefore closely related, in zoological characters, to the members of the Naja genus which includes the deadly Cobras and Hamadryad. So far as we have been able to ascertain, the action of this venom has not before been examined. The Sepedon venom used in this investigation was extracted from eight dried glands: two of which were sent to one of us, in 1898, by Mr. J. W. van Putten, of van Putten’s Vlei, Clanwilliam, and the other six, in 1901, by Dr. Robertson, of the Agricultural Department of Cape Colony. To these gentlemen we take this opportunity of expressing our great indebtedness. The glands had been removed in South Africa from recently killed serpents, cleared of adhering fat and other extraneous matter, and then thoroughly and quickly dried by being hung up in a warm and airy place. Along with the dried glands, there were sent the heads of several of the serpents from which these glands had been removed. The latter were submitted to Mr. Boulenger, F. R. S., of the British Museum, and he confirmed the identification of their being heads of Sepedon hæmachates .