|
The Adder-pike (also called the Lesser Weever or Sting-fish) is a small species of the weever fish.
 Research Adder-pike
The adder is a venomous snake of the viper family (Viperidae) found in England and Australia. There are three species, the Vipera berus (European
adder) is the only venomous British snake.
Research Adder
The Asp, or Aspic (Naja, or Vipera haje) is a species of viper found in Egypt, resembling the cobra da capello or spectacle-serpent of the East Indies, and having a very venomous bite. When approached or disturbed it elevates its head and body, swells out its neck, and appears to stand erect to attack the aggressor. Hence the ancient Egyptians believed that the asps were guardians of the spots they inhabited, and the figure of this Asp, from ancient reptile was adopted as Egyptian monument. an emblem of the protecting genius of the world. The balancing motions made by it in the endeavour to maintain the erect attitude have led to the employment of the asp as a dancing Serpent by the African jugglers. The deaf adder that stoppeth her ear of Psalm LVIII. 4, 5 is translated asp in the margin, and seems to have been this species. Cleopatra is said to have committed suicide by means of an asp's bite, but the incident is generally associated with the Cerastes or horned viper, not with the haje. The name asp is also given to a viper (Vipera aspis) common on the continent of Europe.
Research Asp
The Common Death Adder (Acanthophis antarcticus) is a venomous snake of the family Elapidae. The Common Death Adder is ovoviviparous, feeds on small mammals and reptiles and grows to a length of about 60 cm.
Research Common Death Adder
The puff-adder (Bitis arietans) is a highly-poisonous African snake found in dry and sandy places, which reaches a length of one metre or more. It is structurally related to the viper, and is yellowish to orange brown above, with black markings, and whitish below. It gets its popular name from its habit of inflating the body when alarmed, and at the same time producing a characteristic puffing sound. The puff-adder is a sluggish animal, and only bites when actually attacked. The natural food consists of small mammals, and the habits are nocturnal.
Research Puff-adder
Haemophilia is several inherited diseases in which normal blood clotting is impaired. Haemophilia is an hereditary condition passed on by the mother who is not herself affected although all her male children are afflicted, and her daughters carry the same latent fault which they pass on to their own children. It used to be thought that no female could be affected but this is not so. Girls may in fact suffer from haemophilia. Trivial injuries produce gross haemorrhage and even the normal wear and tear on the joints is sometimes accompanied by tremendous haemarthrosis (blood in the joint).
Haemophilia is known to be due to an absence of certain clotting factors and is incurable. 'Closed' haemorrhage - that is haemorrhage under the skin or into an internal organ or joint - is usually self-limiting. A large haematoma results and in the case of a joint the haemarthrosis leads to stiffening and deformity. Surgical operation for any condition in a haemophiliac is extremely hazardous but blood transfusion improves the clotting power of the blood for a few days. Sooner or later almost every sufferer from haemophilia requires blood transfusion which has the dual effect of replacing lost blood and adding factors which produce clotting at the site of bleeding. In haemophilia, the usual methods of blood control by pressure, heat or chemicals are completely ineffective and the only local application which is of value is the venom from a particular species of adder, Russell's viper. This substance is supplied as a dry powder in glass ampoules and is useful for controlling the bleeding from small areas such as a tooth socket. A solution is made with water and applied on a small cotton wool swab.
Research Haemophilia
The RR-77 RVV-AE (AA-12 Adder) is a Soviet air-to-air missile able to intercept targets at speeds up to 3,600 km/h and altitudes from 0.02 to 25 kilometres. The minimum range in the aft hemisphere is 300 metres and the maximum vertical separation between the host aircraft and the target is 10 kilometres. The RR-77 has inertial guidance with midcourse radio updates and terminal active guidance.
Research RR-77
Chuff adder is British slang for a male homosexual.
Research Chuff Adder
|
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
©1993 - 2009 The Probert Encyclopaedia
Southampton, United Kingdom
|
|
|
Abbreviations
