The Ophiophagus, or hooded cobra, is one of the largest of venomous snakes, sometimes attaining a length of 15 feet; it is both powerful, active, and aggressive.

The common snakes of the deadly variety in the United States are the rattlesnake, the "copperhead," and the moccasin; and it is from the bites of one of these varieties that the great majority of reported deaths are caused.
But in looking over medical literature one is struck with the scarcity of reports of fatal snake-bites.

This is most likely attributable to the fact that, except a few army-surgeons, physicians rarely see the cases.

The natural abode of the serpents is in the wild and uninhabited regions.
The venom is delivered to the victim through the medium of a long fang which is connected with a gland in which the poison is stored.

The supply may be readily exhausted; for a time the bite would then be harmless.