Note 46 — THE STEPPES OF INNER AFRICA.
Margaret R. Thomson translation
[Note 46] p. 185.—Spitting poison.
The poison of a snake is contained in the secretion of a specialized salivary gland. The compression of this venom gland propels the fluid along a duct which leads to the groove or canal of the fang. Infection with the venom only occurs when, by more or less of a bite, the poison is injected into the victim. No spitting of poison is known, nor would it have effect without a wound.