CREATURES OF MYSTERY 
223 
along his sides can be seen, but are so nearly faded out that 
they can scarcely be delineated. There is no doubt but that 
the diamond-back and the water-rattler were originally of the 
same species, the latter gradually taking on a different hue that 
he might more perfectly blend with the muddy water in which 
he sought refuge. His rattles and diamonds, both of which 
were formerly employed in his rather mysterious art of fas¬ 
cination, were consequently discarded by nature as unessential 
to his future well-being. Any student of nature will admit as 
much. So, viewing him all up one side and down the other, 
Uncle Dave can discern no difference which is more than skin 
and rattle deep. 
In event scientists of the land should eventually throw 
Uncle Dave and his water-rattler both out of court for want 
of sufficient evidence, he still has an ace up his sleeve. Mother 
Nature, he feels sure, will not let him down, since there occa¬ 
sionally appears a throwback with rattles, and the aid of col¬ 
lege-trained snake experts will not be required to properly 
classify him. So, for the present, he rests his case. 
