314 SNAKES. 



mate ; and, as is well known, it has sympathy with its mate ; 

 for a second rattle is almost sure to be sounded, and they 

 have been observed to sound in pairs or numbers respon- 

 sively — it may be to express anger, fear, and for aught we 

 "know pleasure, in a state of liberty and enjoyment, feelings 

 expressed by the tail of other creatures. 



Why it is formed as it is, so wholly different from all other 

 tails ; from what it has been evolved ; and how long in 

 evolving, — all these are problems to be solved by future 

 Darwins and future Evolutionists. 



This chapter, therefore, closes with only feeble speculations 

 after feeble attempts to explain an inexplicable phenomenon. 

 The simplest and truest solution seems to be found in those 

 few words, ^ qui siiplcerait a la voix, dont ces serpents sont 

 toujoiirs prives.^ 



Again, we wonder whether in the non-hissing serpents any 

 peculiarity of trachea may be observed. 



