OP THE VENOM OF THE RATTLESNAKE. 5 



of fascination has been often observed, explains it hy supposing that in these cases 

 the parent bird, alarmed at the near approach of danger to her nest of young, 

 hovers anxiously about the snake, as she would about any other cause of danger, 

 and thus sometimes falls a victim to her maternal anxiety. This theory. Dr. 

 Barton believes suflicient to account for the fluttering and strange movements of 

 the bird, and the arguments with which this view is upheld, are certainly entitled 

 to great respect. While the anxiety and terror of the parent bird would readily 

 attract notice, the real object of the snake, and the true cause of the mother's 

 approach to the very jaws of destruction, would be more than likely to escape the 

 notice of such persons as are usually called upon to observe the supposed fact. 



I have seen but one occurrence that might mislead as to the subject of fascina- 

 tion. I have very often put animals, such as birds, pigeons, guinea-pigs, mice, and 

 dogs, into the cage with a Rattlesnake. They conimonl}' exhibited no terror after 

 their recovery from alarm, at being handled and dropped into a box. The smaller 

 birds were usually some time in becoming composed, and fluttered about in the 

 large cage until they were fatigued, when they soon became amusingly familiar 

 with the snakes, and were seldom molested, even when caged with six or eight 

 large Crotali. The mice — which were similarly situated — lived on terms of easy 

 intimacy with the snakes, sitting on their heads, moving round on their gliding 

 coils, undisturbed, and unconscious of danger. Larger animals were not so safe, 

 especially if they moved abruptly and rapidly about the snakes. The birds, mice, 

 and larger animals, often manifested an evident curiosity, which prompted them to 

 approach the snake cautiously. Sometimes this was rewarded by a blow, as was 

 sure to be the case, when a dog indulged his inquisitiveness by smelling the snake 

 with his muzzle. Sometimes the snake retreated, and struck only when driven to 

 bay. Usually, the smaller animals indulged their inquisitive instinct unhurt, and 

 were allowed to live for days in the same cage with the dreaded reptiles.^ 



These are the sole facts which I have seen, bearing any relation to the supposed 

 fascinating faculty. They appear to me to lend no strength to the idea of its 

 existence. 



There is a popular belief which ascribes to the Rattlesnake a most disagi-eeable 

 odor, and even naturalists have been led to believe that the serpent owed to this its 

 power to lure and stupefy animals. In this matter, I agree with Barton." I have 

 never perceived that any peculiar odor issued from my snake-box, and as to its 

 ability to injure birds, the facts above stated should suffice to disprove it. As 

 usual, however, this pound of error contains its grain of truth. When a Rattle- 

 snake is roughly handled, especially about the lower half of its length, a very heavy 

 and decided animal odor is left upon the hands of the observer. If the snake be vio- 

 lently treated, causing it to throw itself into abrupt contortions, thin streams of a 

 yellow or dark brown fluid are ejected to the distance of two or three feet. This 

 fluid appears to come from glands alongside of the cloaca. Its odor is extremely dis- 

 agreeable, and it is irritant when it enters the eye, although not otherwise injurious. 



' It is proper to add, that the curiosity thus exhibited by animals, and especially by mice and dogs, was 

 as active when the snake was not regarding the intruder, as at other times. 

 ' Barton, p. 24. 



