Marvels of the Universe 659 
plain from the great heavily-armed mouth; his whole bodily framework speaks of rapine. The 
strange-looking Holoxenus is another carnivorous denizen of the sea, and one cannot help wondering 
what may be the meaning of its extraordinary coloration, for apart from its vivid hues the body is 
ce 
scaleless and presents the appearance of being covered with velvet pile. Our “‘ Father Lasher” is 
a near relation of this strangely-coloured fish. Finally, we come to the curious little Jumping-fish, 
one of the Blennies, of which we have representatives in our own seas. Not much seems to be known 
of its life-history save that it haunts rock pools, and possesses prodigious powers of leaping, only 
exceeded by those of its cousin, the Bommi Fish, of which a vivid account has already been given 
in these pages. 
RATILESNAKES 
It is the rattle that makes the snake, or, at least, itis to the peculiar coil of dried, horny plates that 
the snake owes its universal fame. America is the home of the Rattlesnake, and there are about 
sixteen species known to naturalists, though this number is sometimes increased by the inclusion 
of a nearly allied tribe, the members of which can be distinguished from the true Rattler by possessing 
four horny plates on the head and degenerate rattles. 
Though “ the rattle ” is the most extraordinary feature of the snake, there are one or two points 
worth a moment’s notice. One is the system of fangs. Through these fangs run slender canals, 
connecting with ducts that lead to the poison glands. They are “ perfect hypodermic syringes,”’ 
and when not in use can be folded back along the upper jaw and protected from injury by a fleshy 
membrane. There are two apparent fangs with which the snake wounds his enemy ; but at the back 
Photo by] ag Dnoninatteny pane & Co. 
PRICE’S RATTLESNAKE. 
The Rattlesnake is warming itself in the sun, for it loves the warmth. Notice how the markings of the creature blend with 
its surroundings. The rattle is particularly well displayed. 
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