THE SNAKES 355 



reptile's size than of any other North American poi- 

 sonous snake. All the Viperine snakes of the tropics 

 and sub-tropics appear to possess fangs of greater pro- 

 portions than of serpents in the temperate zone. For 

 example, we observe that the fangs of the fer-de-lance 

 are proportionately much longer than of any snake 

 found in the United States. 



While in the South the writer gathered some startling 

 facts about the big "Diamond Rattler." A young 

 Englishman, hunting quail, had been bitten, and died in 

 less than half an hour. One of our dogs, creeping 

 under a deserted cabin, came yelping out to die within 

 a few minutes. "Diamond-backs" were all about us, 

 but it was difficult hunting them owing to their noc- 

 turnal habits. The writer's first experience with one 

 of these snakes was interesting, if not dramatic. We 

 were passing through the hammocks on our way to a 

 night hunt for water snakes in the bayous. 



It was dark as we entered the lonely trail and once 

 we were startled. Silently making our way, as the feet 

 of the mules sank noiselessly into the sand, our nerves 

 were set a-quiver by a series of piercing squeals. Then 

 came an advancing thrashing through the undergrowth 

 and across the beam of the guiding lantern sped a rab- 

 bit, evidently pursued by some nocturnal creature. 



"Queer," muttered the guide; "mighty queer. A 

 rabbit don't holler unless something's got hold of 

 him." 



We stopped to listen. While the frightened animal 

 had crossed the sandy trail and dashed into the heavy 

 growth on the opposite side, it had not gone far, for 

 there was silence. Suddenly from the direction whence 

 it had disappeared came an irregular rustling of the 



