THE TAIL OF A SNAKE, 183 



constrictors. ^ Whipping ' the rattlesnake was probably only 

 the tail lashed in anger, or used in controlling the exceedingly 

 active movements of the captor. As for its 'breaking itself 

 in halves,' many exaggerated stories are told by unscientific 

 spectators of the ' brittleness ' of snakes, the simple explana- 

 tion being that all are alike irritated and terrified when 

 rendered helpless by their tail being fettered, and may then 

 struggle until they injure themselves. The common blind- 

 worm {Ajtgiiis fragilis) has been seen to so-call 'break 

 itself in halves ; ' but this will be explained in its place 

 (chap. XXV.). 



This sensitiveness — sensibility, one may almost term it — in 

 the tail of snakes has been pointed out by the late Frank Buck- 

 land, Dr. Stradling, and others of like practical experience, 

 affording useful information in case of danger. ' If attacked 

 by a boa constrictor, it is of no use to pull and haul, but 

 catch hold of the tip of the tail and unwind him.' Also, 

 ' when striking, aim at the tail. The spinal cord there being 

 only thinly covered with bone, it is more easily wounded ; 

 and when the spine is broken, the animal is disabled.' ^ 



Certain it is, that by the muscular power of the tail snakes 

 perform wonderful feats, not only erecting themselves, and 

 maintaining their balance for a short time, as a long pole is 

 balanced by an acrobat on his chin or his nose ; hanging by 

 an inch or so of the tip, as an acrobat hangs for a time on 

 one foot or one finger ; raising themselves against a smooth 

 surface, as you see the large pythons at the Gardens do 

 against the smooth sides or glass fronts of their cages, even 

 to the very top, but springing, ' executing leaps,' as Roget 



^ Curiosities of Natural History, by F. Buckland. 



