TIIK RATTLESNAKE. 



The well-kno\Mi and terriM* KMIII-NVKI n> com.-s l-f" \>- us. 



This dreaded reptile is a native of North America, and is remarkable for the singular 

 t.-nn'matioii to the tail, from which it d.-mes it.s ]opul:ir IKIIM.-. It has already been 

 mentioned that the fer-de-lance has a long, horny scale at the tip <-f its tail, and in the 

 :tlesnakc this appendage is develop! into a rather complicated apparatus of pound. 



At the e\ t remi t y of t he tail are a niiinl>er of curious loose h -rny >t ructures, formed of the 

 name substance as the scales, and varying greatly in numl.er a.-< -oidim; to the Bize of the 

 individual. It is now generally considered that the numU-r of joint* on the ''rattfe" is an 

 in.li.-atiou of the reptile's age, a fresh joint U-ing gained each year immediately after it 

 changes its skin and before it goes into winter <|narter. There is, however, another opinion 

 prevalent among the less educated, which gives to the Rattlesnake the vindictive spirit of the 

 N !i American Indian, and asserts that it adds a new joint to it.s rattle whenever it has slain 

 a human U-ing, thus Iwariii^on its tail the fearful trophies of its prowess, just as the Indians 

 wear the scalps of their slain foes. 



Vf; 



^TJ./Cii^Kf^*--- 



OOf1KB-UEAD 



The joints of this remarkable apparatus are arranged in a very cnrious manner, each being 

 of a somewhat pyramidal shape, but rounded at th !->. and l-in:r slipped within its prede- 

 cessor as far as a protuberant ring which runs round the edp-. In fact, a very good idea of 

 the structure of the rattle may be formed by slipping a number of thimbles loosely into each 

 other. The last joint is smaller than the rest, and rounded. As was lately mentioned, the 

 number of these joints is variable, but the average number is from five or six to fourteen or 

 fifteen. There are occasional .s|ciiiiens found that possess more than twenty joints in the 

 rattle, but such examples are very rare. 



When in repose the Rattlesnake usually lies coiled in some suitable spot, with its head 

 lying flat, and the tip of its tail elevated in the middle of the coil. Should it be irritated by 

 a passenger, or feel annoyed or alarmed, it instantly communicates a quivering movement to 

 the Tail, which causes the joints of the rattle to shake against each other, with a peculiar 

 skirring ruffle, not easily descril>e<l. but never to be forgotten when once heard. All animals, 

 even those which have never seen a Rattlesnake, tremble at this >ound. and try to get out of the 

 way. Even a hone newly brought from Europe is just as frightened as the animal that has 



