334 AMERICAN SNAKES. 



In the neighbourhood of most large towns in America, 

 rattlesnakes are very rare. As the ground is cleared, 

 they are killed or driven from their haunts. The hog 

 — an animal which generally accompanies the Anglo- 

 Saxon in his onward march — has proved of immense 

 service in clearing the w^oods of these noxious reptiles, 

 being, w^ith the exception of man, the most destructive 

 enemy which the snake has to encounter. An old 

 grunter will even trace the snake to its haunt, or den, by 

 the scent, and carry the war into the enemy's camp. 



Of course, the snake sounds an alarm the moment it 

 sees or hears the invader, and prepares for action ; 

 coiliDg itself, and brandishing its forked tongue. The 

 hog disregards these hostile looks, and presses boldly 

 forward, sidling up in such a manner, that its fat 

 cheek, presented to the fang of the snake, catches the 

 blow aimed by the enraged reptile. As soon as the 

 foe has exhausted its venom and strength, the hog 

 puts his foot upon the neck of the serpent, and tears 

 its body with his teeth. 



If a herd of deer chance to see a rattlesnake, the old 

 buck generally gives battle, though he adopts very 

 different tactics, of a light cavalry order. The buck 

 will trot round and round the snake for some time, 

 seemingly with the intention of confusing the reptile. 

 Suddenly, he will start off to some distance, and, 

 returning at full gallop, spring five or six feet into the 

 air, alighting, with all four of his sharp pointed hoofs. 



