"I have been trying to think, Fred, which are the most terrible creatures, the poisonous snakes or the others," said Will, " and I can"t make up my mind.""No, Will, I daresay not," replied Fred, "They are both very dreadful.""But," said Norah, "I should think no creature could be a more fearful enemy than one of those poisonous snakes. It has but to give a single bite with those awful fangs, and it is all over with its victim.""Wait a moment, while I get my book," said Fred, "There are some pictures of these non-poisonous snakes which I want you to see.
"This one is called the boa constrictor, and this the python. They are huge serpents, and often reach as much as forty, fifty, and even sixty feet in length.
"If we could see within their mouths, we should find no long sharp fangs, and no poison-bags, for they do not kill their victims by biting them.
"Teacher says they coil themselves round thetrunk of a tree, and lie in wait for some animal, perhaps a horse, an ox, or a deer.