332 AMERICAN SNAKES. 



the water for the purpose of bathinc^ and drinking. 

 To my horror, I saw coiled up by side of the path, 

 within twelve inches of where I had stepped, a huge 

 rattlesnake. A eingie moment I stood, while the crea- 

 ture began to erect its head and spring its rattles ; then 

 jumping a yard back, I seized a large stone, which I 

 hurled with all my force at the reptile, cutting him in 

 two. It measured a trifle over six feet in leno-th, with 

 well-developed fangs and poison-bags full of venom. 

 Six or seven times that snake must have been passed 

 and repassed during the darkness of night ; yet, by a 

 miracle, we all escaped from its bite. 



The food of the rattlesnake consists chieflv of birds, 

 squirrels, and such small game : though it does not des- 

 pise turkey's eggs. It is incapable of seizing its prey, 

 except when coiled up, ready to spring, and therefore 

 it cannot give chase. This being the case, the snake 

 would be compelled to fast for a very long time, unless 

 it was able to a certain extent to fascinate its prey. All 

 snakes — and the rattlesnake is no exception to the rule 

 — emit a peculiar odour when excited, or angry ; and it 

 seems very probable that this strong scent, being di- 

 rected in a continual current towards the destined 

 victim, exercises a stupifying influence over the poor 

 squirrel, rabbit, or bird, dulling its senses and render- 

 ing it unable to escape. 



In addition to all this, it has been stated bv an Ame- 

 rican author, that the rattlesnake is unable, or, at all 



