44 
CREATURES OF MYSTERY 
as yet have the positive proof, that when the rattler hypno¬ 
tizes his prey, he often leaves him in this condition pending his 
future needs. Hunting with him, as with men, often yields 
little return. He has long periods when luck is rotten, and 
other periods when he succeeds in bagging more than his im¬ 
mediate needs require. Knowing him as we do, we can scarcely 
imagine him permitting a large, sleek squirrel to parade past 
him unhailed—he would surely bring his magic wand into play. 
It is known to men of science and to laymen as well that the 
black wasp possesses some mysterious power of reducing his 
prey to a state of complete unconsciousness—keeping them in 
such condition for months, during which time they neither die, 
revive, nor waste away. The only point at variance between 
the college master and this unschooled old master is the 
method by which he accomplishes this unusual feat. Scientists 
contend that he administers an opiate—Uncle Dave insists that 
he hypnotizes somewhat after the fashion of the rattler. Then 
we take just one additional step to arrive at the conclusion—if 
the spider’s victim will sleep indefinitely, then why not the 
squirrel or rabbit? 
If the reader is convinced, from the evidence adduced in 
this volume, that the rattler possesses the power of hypnotism, 
then is it unreasonable to believe that he would let anything 
fit for food go by? Why not hypnotize every squirrel and rab¬ 
bit which chanced to pass his way, cover them with litter, and 
return for them when his needs required? Animals in a state 
of suspended animation do not waste away at a very rapid rate, 
the functioning of the major organs of the body being reduced 
to the lowest level required to sustain life. The casual ob¬ 
server would judge them to be dead. In cold climates the cold 
itself automatically brings such state upon the bear, but when 
the warm days return he emerges from his place of hiding, 
somewhat reduced in weight, but thoroughly fit, and otherwise 
prepared to resume his normal activity. 
We leave this thought with the reader, together with the 
assurance that this keen old observer, to whom we are indebted 
for most of the subject-matter contained herein, will continue 
his investigations until such time as his findings of fact are 
