258 WILD TRAITS IN TAME ANIMALS. 



be anything in the round swinging object which 

 can appeal to any definite idea of danger, 

 whether acquired or instinctive, in a wolf. 

 Bladders have never been destructive agents 

 either in his own experience or that of his 

 ancestors, nor, as far as I am aware, is there 

 any trap or other detrimental object, either 

 natural or manufactured, which in any way 

 resembles one. It is simply the inherent and 

 inveterate caution of the animal which makes 

 him bear the pangs of an empty belly rather than 

 face this mysterious apparition. 



Now I think there should be but little dif- 

 ficulty in recognising the protective value of 

 the mock - ophidian hiss when uttered by a 

 creature concealed within some dark hole such 

 as is often made use of by snakes. That the 

 danger lurking within is occasionally a very 

 real one was demonstrated in a most unpleas- 

 antly conclusive manner in the case of a near 

 relative of mine, who when a boy assumed — 

 boy-like — the role of an amateur beast of prey, 

 and groped in a hole which he thought likely 

 to contain a nest of young wild rabbits. I 

 do not know whether he received any warning 

 hint, but a viper which was occupying the hole 



