A COLLECTOR'S EXPERIENCES 



CHAPTEE XVII 



SNAXES AS HOUSEHOLD PETS PEEVAILrSTG PEEJITDIOB 



AGAINST EEPTILES THE USES OF KEPTILES — WHY 



SNAKES AEE EEIENDS OF THE FABMEK^— THE PLACE 

 OF EEPTILES IN NATUEE 



Theee is probably no class of creatures less known, 

 more hated, and unjustly persecuted tban reptiles; 

 but bbserration brings about a transformation of 

 ideas in the minds of their most persistent enemies. 

 One of the prevailing ideas is that reptiles are slimy, 

 and consequently loathsome. Yet among the several 

 thousand species of reptiles not one is slimy. In 

 habits they are far more cleanly than many house- 

 hold pets, and in the colors of their scaly bodies none 

 but persons of narrow-minded prejudice can fail to 

 admire Nature's lavish tints. The comparatively 

 small proportion of reptiles possessing poison-bear- 

 ing fangs are not provided with these instruments 

 for the purpose of slaying mankind ; the fangs of the 

 poisonous serpent are intended by Nature to be an 

 aid to the creature in procuring its prey. 



Often is the question asked, "Of what possible 

 use are reptiles ? " A knowledge of the food of rep- 



169 

 / ■ 



