RECORD: Darwin, C. R. nd. Abstract of Günther, Reptiles of British India. CUL-DAR189.127. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 2.2022. RN1

NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volume CUL-DAR189 contains material for Darwin's book Expression of the emotions.

[127]

Cobra - ant vertebrae, somewhat elongated - Günther Indian Reptiles p. 262 an innocuous snake which expands ant. part of body in incipient degree. In same way as one strike much more rapidly with stick than with flat piece of board, so with cobra striking - Dr G. thinks it very doubtful whether any lizard has power of erecting separate spines, except indirectly by swelling gular pouch or raising gular frill. Porcupine probably rattles to let a nocturnal beast of prey know danger of attacking it

[Expression, p. 106.]

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Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

File last updated 22 November, 2023