156 THE BOOK OF A NATURALIST 
have often seen the Pituophis, spread out in loose coils 
with its head in the central one, wake up after a long 
repose and begin a movement in every curve, the entire 
body engaged in the mazy movements, with no going out 
or deviation from the complicated pattern marked on the 
floor. Observing this intricate harmoniousness of move- 
ment, I thought of the seer’s vision of mystic wheels. 
Those revolving coils—“‘ and their appearance and their 
work was as if it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.””. . . 
The movements of a serpent are never started, rope-like, 
at one end, and then transmitted to the other; nor is the 
movement like the force-waves sent through a ribbon 
vibrating in the air. The movement consists of numberless 
units of individual activities, all regulated by and under 
control of one individual will that is felt in every curve 
and line. There is some likeness to the thousand personal 
activities of a regiment seen on their winding way. And 
all this perfection of control of so many complicated 
activities is true, whether the serpent, like an ogre, be 
crushing its victim’s bones, or, as a limbless posturist, be 
going through its inimitable evolutions. In our thinking 
a serpent ranks as a paradox among animals. There is so 
much seeming contradiction. At one time encircling its 
prey as in iron bands; again assuming the immovable 
posturing of a statue; then melting into movements so 
intricate and delicate that the lithe limbless thing looks 
like gossamer incarnate. In this creature all the unities 
seem to be set aside. Such weakness and such strength; 
such gentleness and such vindictiveness; so much of 
beauty and yet so repulsive; fascination and terror: 
what need to wonder that, whether snake or python, the 
serpent should so figure in the myths of all ages and the 
literature of the whole world! Yes, in the best and worst 
thinkings of man! 
In the literature of the whole world, true; but 
let no one run away with the idea that gems of 
this kind are to be picked up anywhere, and go 
