60 CROTALUS DURISSUS. 



which were thought to be so completely under the influence of 

 their glance as to precipitate themselves of their own accord into 

 the open throat of their enemy. In a memoir on the supposed 

 fascinating power of the Rattle-snake by Dr. Barton, Professor of 

 Natural History in the University of Pennsylvania, this is, however, 

 contended to be nothing more than the fluttering of old birds in 

 defence of their young, when they perceive the snake lying in wait 

 for prey, and which are themselves caught, as well as their young, 

 by the Rattle-snake, unless they save themselves by a timely 

 retreat. 



The Rattle-snake is a viviparous animal ; producing its young 

 in the month of June, generally about twelve in number, and 

 which by September acquire the length of twelve inches. It is 

 said to protect its young in the same manner as the common viper, 

 namely, by receiving them into its mouth and swallowing them. 

 Like most other reptiles, the Rattle-snakes retire during winter 

 into holes, in which they remain in a torpid state until the return 

 of spring, when they creep out of their hiding places in a weak 

 and languid state. Their flesh is eaten by the Indians, who also 

 apply their fat to various medicinal or superstitious uses. 



The animal when provoked to bite rolls itself up in a spiral form, 

 and shaking its rattle, gives the warning alarm, before it darts out. 

 If the unfortunate victim removes from it, it elongates itself gently, 

 and creeps in a right line, keeping its rattles raised, and shaking 

 them from time to time. If it is provoked again it stops and 

 resumes its spiral figure ; it moves its rattles with rapidity, its 

 head and neck become flattened, its cheeks swell, its lips contract, 

 its jaws widely separated allow the formidable fangs to appear ; its 

 eyes become red as flame, it darts out repeatedly its long and forked 

 tongue, its whole body swells with rage, rising and falling like a 

 pair of bellows ; it threats, but it never springs forward unless 

 sure of its aim. 



The bite of the Rattle-snake generally proves fatal, but its 

 effects vary greatly according to the health and size of the animal, 

 and consequently the greater or less intensity of the poison. 

 Laurenti says that when one has been bitten by a Crotalus, the 

 entire body is swelled, the tongue becomes prodigiously enlarged, 



