ORDER OPHIDIA. 339 



decompose with exceeding rapidity. And such is the stench 

 which exhales from their bodies, that it is diflBcult to remove 

 them, without becoming unwell in consequence. 



Excepting hogs, which feed upon them, every animal 

 dreads the crotali ; horses, and dogs especially, scent them 

 at a distance, and most particularly avoid passing near them. 

 " I have often," says M. Bosc, "^ amused myself by trying to 

 force my horse and dog to approach one of these animals. 

 But they would sooner have allowed themselves to be knocked 

 down upon the spot, than come near them." Notwithstand- 

 ing this, those animals often become their victims. 



Although the rattle-snakes do not climb trees, yet their 

 principal food consists of birds and squirrels. They also 

 devour rats, hares, and small reptiles. It is imagined that 

 by their glance alone they have the power of forcing their 

 prey to precipitate itself into their mouths. It would seem, 

 however, that they only seize it during the terror and confu- 

 sion which the sight of them occasions in other animals. 



They creep slowly, and do not bite but when provoked, or 

 for the purpose of destroying their prey. A man can easily 

 master them, when he perceives them at a distance, and takes 

 proper precautions. They never attack him, and cannot pos- 

 sibly overtake him. It is even well known that they sound 

 their rattles some moments before they take vengeance on 

 their aggressors. M. Bosc was so little afraid of them, that 

 he took all those alive which he met with, and which were not 

 too bulky to be preserved in spirits of wine. When they 

 are seized by the head, they cannot, like other serpents, raise 

 their tail, and twist themselves round one's arms, nor make 

 use of their strength to disengage themselves. 



They usually rest, twisted in a spiral form, in places 

 which are clear of grass and wood, in the customary path of 

 wild animals, and particularly in those which conduct to 

 water. There they remain quietly until some victim appears, 



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