When bitten, as they sometimes are, they instantly cut into the part, and suck out the poison, or get their companions to suck it out when they can't reach the part with their own mouths.

But they depend chiefly upon their wonderful dexterity in warding off the stoops or blows of the snakes, as they twist them round their necks and limbs with seeming carelessness.

While they are doing so, the eye of the spectator can hardily detect the _stoops_ of the one and the guards of the other.

After playing in this way with the most venomous snakes, they apply them to the animals.

Elephants have died from their bites in a few hours--smaller animals sooner.