THE VIPERS 



2605 



tail when preparing to spring in order to warn the doomed mouse. It is a much 

 more probable view that the rattlesnake uses its rattle, the cobra expands its frill, 

 and the puff adder swells while hissing so loudly and harshly, in order to alarm the 

 many birds and beasts which are known to attack even the most venomous species. 

 Snakes act on the same principle which makes a hen ruffle her feathers and expand 

 her wings when a dog approaches her chickens." In this passage the writer com- 

 mits himself to the view that the rattle is an instrument of intimidation. It may, 

 however, be observed that the sound would be quite as likely to attract enemies as 

 to repel them. Moreover, it is now a well-ascertained fact that rattlesnakes do not 

 possess the power of hissing; and as that faculty seems more closely connected with 



THE BUSHMASTER. 

 (One-sixth natural size.) 



On the whole, while admitting that fear has probably some share in the matter, it 

 fear than with any other emotion, it would be quite reasonable to suppose that the 

 rattle stands in place of the hiss. Another feature in the controversy is the circum- 

 stance that the sound of the rattle of one snake causes all its kindred within hearing 

 to sound their own; and the organ therefore probably serves as a means of com- 

 munication. What is known as the "dinner-bell" theory, that is, that a rattle- 

 snake attracts insects like grasshoppers and cicadas within striking distance by the 

 resemblance of the sound of its rattle to their own stridulating utterances, has been 

 pretty clearly disproved; while if it required a further quietus, the circumstance 

 that these reptiles do not appear to prey habitually upon insects would be sufficient. 



