1923] POPE, RATTLESNAKE FACTS AND FALLACIES 137 



before the old fang becomes loosened. The writer has examined 

 many specimens possessing two perfectly developed fangs on one side 

 of the jaw. The old fang is shed by being left imbedded in the body 

 of the prey that is bitten by the snake and is consequently swallowed 

 with the prey. So hard is its composition that, although the bones, 

 claws and even the teeth of the engulfed animal are entirely dissolved, 

 the swallowed fang is unaffected by the action of the gastric juices. 

 This constant renewing of the fangs explodes the common supposition 

 that a poisonous snake may be rendered even temporarily harmless 

 by removing its fangs. Though the main pair of fangs be removed 

 the snake is not rendered even temporarily harmless, for poison is dis- 

 charged in the act of biting from the base of the extracted fangs and 

 the small teeth of the upper jaw, employed normally by the snake in 

 swallowing its prey, would produce lacerations through which the 

 venom would come in contact with the blood. 



"As previously explained, the fangs themselves are not movable, 

 but are rigidly attached to movable bones. In the act of striking, the 

 jaws are opened to such an extent and the fangs so elevated that their 

 tips point almost directly forward. In striking toward a perpendic- 

 ular surface the serpent literally stabs with these teeth and instantly 

 draws back to the position of defence. If striking a rounded surface 

 or small object, the jaws close upon it enough to imbed the fangs, but 

 so lightning-like is this motion that the movements of the jaws can 

 barely be followed by the human eye. The mouth is not opened until 

 the head has started forward, and it is during the latter part of the 

 blow that the jaws are thrown open to the extent described. "^'^ 



Although this serpent is quite widely distributed the actual danger 

 to man from its poison is almost negligible despite popular belief. 

 It is a matter of common knowledge that in many sections of the coun- 

 try where rattlesnakes abound, especially in the hilly, waste lands of 

 the North, there are large numbers of people; a heavy percentage of 

 the inhabitants, that have never set eyes upon a living rattlesnake in 

 its wild state. Quite a considerable number of instances can be cited 

 of people dwelling at the base of rocky hills or within a few thousand 

 feet of veritable snake-dens that have never noted the existence of 

 the snakes, or if they did learn of their presence, have never actually 

 seen them. Even in these more inaccessible and unfrequented local- 

 ities the rattlesnake "prefers flight to combat and, though rattling 

 harshly when disturbed, will generally glide awa}^, sounding its warn- 

 ing as it goes, in graceful, though not rapid undulations, heading to- 



3'Ibid., p. 404, 40o. 



