48. CROTALUS 941 



were able to hold the snake in our hands, with as much 

 safety as if it had been muzzled. Snakes have a way of 

 swallowing things much larger than their heads; their jaws 

 are pliable, and almost stretchable! But they always swal- 

 low their prey head first. Two other rattlers examined 

 contained each a full-grown gopher (Thomomys). Another 

 had swallowed a chipmunk (Rutamias merriami). 



"A rattlesnake collected at Bluff Lake, in the San Ber- 

 nardino Mountains, July 21, 1905, measuring 42 inches in 

 length, contained two chipmunks (Eutamias s-peciosus). 

 These were tandemly aligned in the alimentary canal, nearer 

 the vent than the mouth of the snake. The hindmost chip- 

 munk was almost completely dissolved, hair and bones as 

 well as the flesh having softened into a pasty mass, save for 

 parts of the head, ears, and teeth. The digestive powers of 

 snakes are truly astonishing. 



"Were it not for the danger from its bite, the rattle- 

 snake would be a desirable resident of any ranch where 

 gophers and squirrels prove a nuisance. 



"There are lots of interesting things to be learned about 

 rattlesnakes in their native haunts, and we would urge 

 students having the opportunity to avail themselves of it 

 by finding out everything possible. The only danger we 

 can conceive of, that when a rattler may be stepped upon 

 unawares, is past as soon as you have caught sight of the 

 reptile. You are at once on your guard. Retain your com- 

 mon sense. Don't go into hysterics and think you must 

 batter the snake to death at once. For it won't run after 

 you! Exercise reasonable caution, give your curiosity full 

 sway, and see what you can find out. There are dozens of 

 deaths in southern California every year, from the accidental 

 discharge of guns. And yet no one treats a gun as he does a 

 rattler! Let us find out more of all our native animals, 



