76 THE BANDED RATTLE-SNAKE. 



and from thence with unerring direction into the 

 wound. The tail is furnised -, with a rattle, consist- 

 ing of joints loosely connected : the number of these 

 is uncertain, depending in some measure on the age 

 of the animal, being supposed to increase annually 

 by an additional joint. 



Providence has kindly given to mankind a security 

 against the bite of this dreadful reptile ; for it gene- 

 rally warns the passenger of its vicinity by the rat- 

 tling of its tail. In fine weather the notice is always 

 given, but not always in rainy weather : this inspires 

 the Indians with a dread of travelling among the woods 

 in wet seasons. In addition to this circumstance, the 

 odour of the Rattle-snake is so extremely fetid, that 

 when it basks in the sun, or is irritated, it is often 

 discovered by the scent, before it is either seen or 

 heard. Horses and cattle frequently discover it by 

 the scent, and escape at a distance ; but when the 

 serpent happens to be to leeward of their course, 

 they sometimes run into great danger *. 



The Rattle-snake usually moves with its head on 

 the ground ; but, if alarmed, throws its body into a 

 circle, coiling itself with its head in the centre erect, 

 and with its eyes flaming in a most terrific manner. 

 Happily it may be easily avoided ; it is slow in pur- 

 suit, and has not the power of springing at its assail- 

 ants f . 



The tongue, as in many other serpents, is com- 

 posed of two long and round bodies oined together 



La Cepede, iy. 24-6. f Pcnn. Aict. Z.ool. ii. 3S^« 



I 



