Note 12 — Chapter II · OPHIDIAN REPTILES, OR TRUE SNAKES.
Reading edition
"A Hunter's Life in South Africa," vol. ii. p. 133. Vide also Chapman's "Travels in the Interior of South Africa," vol. ii. p. 34. We have personally captured or assisted in capturing various species of both families in India, and it is no easy matter to do so sometimes, from the rapidity of their movements among the branches of trees and bushes; but most assuredly we never saw one of these most beautiful reptiles attempt to dart or to spurt at anybody, and as they have no poison fangs the latter must needs be an error.—Ed.