198 
THE LIVING WORLD. 
ring was added only once in three years. From this fact we must conclude 
that on some of the species the rings are increased much more frequently 
than on others, just as the beard grows much faster and thicker on some men’s 
faces than on others. 
The purpose of the rattle is difficult to determine, since it has been defin¬ 
itely ascertained that the reptile uses it apparently only to give warning of 
its presence, and not, as once supposed, to allure or fascinate its prey. I have fre¬ 
quently heard the warning sound, springing out of a bunch of grass on the 
prairies, and always associated it with the song of the grasshopper, which it 
much resembles. The tail trembles with such rapidity, when producing the 
sound, that the extremity appears blurred. At such a time the snake will 
always be found lying coiled up with the tail rising perpendicularly out of the 
centre, and the head slightly elevated, ready to attack. Unlike the spitting cobra, 
the rattlesnake is not quick to take offence, but will resist any aggression. It 
sometimes appears so good natured as to allow itself to be handled, as I have 
frequently seen, but never acquired confidence by such sights to attempt a like 
liberty myself. Early in the spring it is much less likely to be resentful, and 
at that season, too, its venom is not nearly so powerful. On the other hand, 
at the approach of fall its anger is easily excited and the poison which it 
secretes is then much more deadly. 
The bite of the rattlesnake is not necessarily fatal if proper remedies are 
at hand, though very much depends on the constitution and general health of 
the person bitten, and on the species and season of the year when the wound 
is inflicted. Persons have been known to die within a few minutes after receiv¬ 
ing the bite, while others have survived, though bitten in an equally vulner¬ 
able part, and not treated for hours afterwards. Whiskey is recommended as a 
sovereign antidote, and certainly possesses much antidotal virtue, but suction 
of the wound and bathing with ammonia may be used with equally good results, 
provided they are employed before the poison has ramified the system, in which 
event, perhaps, whiskey would fail to effect a cure. 
The rattlesnake is said to possess the undefined power of charming such 
prey as birds, rats and even persons, while instances are reported of the rattle¬ 
snake lying coiled at the foot of a large tree and, by fixing its gaze intently 
upon a squirrel high in the branches overhead, luring the poor creature into its 
deadly jaws. Concerning this power of fascination, which in some respects 
appears identical with mesmerism, or what is more properly called hypnotism , 
Woods writes: 
“ Birds, especially, are more sensitive in their nature, and can be fascinated 
in a manner by anyone who chooses to try the experiment. Let any bird be 
taken, laid on its back, and the finger pointed at its eyes. The whole frame 
of the creature will begin to stiffen, the legs will be drawn up, and if the hand 
be gently removed, the bird will be motionless on its back for any length of 
time. I always employ this method of managing my canaries when I give them 
their periodical dressing of insect destroying pQwder. . . . There is another way 
of fascinating the bird, equally simple. Put it on a slate or dark board, draw a 
white chalk line on the board, set the bird longitudinally upon the line, put its 
beak on the white mark, and you may go away for hours, and when you return 
the bird will be found fixed in the same position, there held by some subtle and 
mysterious influence which is as yet unexplained.” 
