Snake-in-a-boot toy made by Private John Hehir, 1900

John Hehir, a British soldier, carved this trick box while he was a prisoner of war of the Boers. When the top of the boot or box is slid open, a string is pulled inside the box causing a snake's head to pop out and surprise the handler. Some of these snakes had a sharp pin for a tongue which could prick the finger. Snake boxes are still made in Africa today, but usually in soapstone and without pins.