The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-10-23


are divided into two classes, those having fangs
which are erectile. aud those in which the fang
is fixed IN an upright position. The represent
alive OF the ixed-tooth snas are the ophiopha-
gus and the cobra. The rattlesnake ranks with
these as one Of the three most deadly snakes
extant and apart from those numerous super
stifions and fables to which its destructive
power has given rise, this animal exhibits spe-
cial characters that are both interesting, and
possibly, most important to know. Many rep
reservations Of the Solenoglypha group poi
SON. fanged SeTpents in which the venom-tooth
is not permanently upright may DO found upon
both continents, but il will suffice here simply
TO mention the viper or adder, cOPperhead and
moccasin. and the vorRcious, aggressive and
deadly fer-de-ance as the more prominent
forms of poisonous snakes in this hemisphere,
exclusive of CrotalidR. In this latter group
naturalists include not only the ID or l6 species
Of rattlesnakes proper, but also those serpents
belonging TO the Caudisona family, a division
whose rattles are always imperfect, and among
which the virulent venom Of the crotalus is
never found.
East of the Mississippi River rattlesnakes
are confined TO those parallels along which
cold is neither intense nor long protracted, and
on this side Of the continent their northward
range is much more restricted than upon the
Pacific coast. There. that branch of the Gulf
Stream which goes by the name Of The Black
Current of Japan" passes eastward from the
Kurile Archipelago and North Asian littoral,
impinges upon the Western Continent, and
divides, its southern arm raising the tempera-
ture Of chose lands bordering upon its course
far above the same ATTITUDES in the Atlantic
States.
Before considering the poison apparatus Of
the CrotalidR, and the properties Of the venom
itself something may be briefly said about
several common misconceptions concerning the
habits. capacities, and rafting apparatus Of
L.. IL. Ct ~. han fharn
is nothing in the way of partnership existing
between prairie~dOgs ground-owls, and rattle
snakes The latter frequently frateTniZe, or
appear 70 do so, with their fellows, but that
constant occurrence Of these three creatures in
the same locality which originated the idea
that birds, mammals, and reptiles formed
kind OF community, is no proof OF so unusual
an association, and one, also, which may be
otherwise accounted for. Undoubtedly the
Tattiesnake takes possession Of the burTow Of
the prairie-dog for 8 residence, aud the owl
seeks protection from the weather in the same
place, since roosting-places upon those tTcelcss
plains are not TO be had.
Neither is the popular belief that age is indi.
Gated by the number Of rattles founded in fact
Nothing but actual dismembermeut will sepa-
rate the anterior button upon which these
appendages are developed successfully from
the body; but serpents kept in captivity fire.
gucBtly break them of, and il is observed that
dcteTminate period OF time. In general terms
it may be said that mature rattesnake has
more Tattlcs than one which is not fully grown.
but il is wholly incorrect 10 imagine that a
rattle is added every year.
Again no rattlesnake or other kind Of snake
exercises what is called fascination. The whole
order are natural enemies Of birds and their
young and birds, from constitutional pecu-
liaFities. are ameng the most nervous and
excitable Of all creatures, prone TO DeuTOses Of
various descriptions, and 10 nervous mimicry
Of organic disease. Those persons who have
seen them futtering aud screaming around ser
penis, observed not the manifestation Of an
occult agency which was suggested by their
own precOnceptiOus, but ordinary expressions
OF anger and fear and IL any have witnessed a
bird actually fail into snakes jaws, this was
because il came too near and Was caught,
tainted. or had apoplectic or epileptic attack.
Finally, there is no more truth in the opinion
that serpents can
ONLY STRIKE WHEN ComED,
than there is in the belief that they are able to
dance upon their tails Mechanically, this
offensive act Of striking is bat a modification
Of the muscular movements involved in pro-
erosion, and whenever the body is sufficiently
free 10 admit Of extension Of the head, striking
b. possible.
ia addition 1t may be said that rattlcsnakcs
though not gTegariOus In the ordinary accepta.
f4Dl OF lGls term. cOccL AT certain places often
called dens," Ia unusual numbers. These are
rocky spots, for the most part, and GOODNESS on
the OBe hand, with protection from the weather
upon the other, ss well as shade dryness and
probably the proximity Of springs which attract
prey, leads them TO cougrcgate in such situa
lions. This particular serpent. although no
&c aggressive as some others Of its order can
not be called coWardly. aud is generally ready
n Eight II al all pressed. Mr.. McEiroy inform
the author that several years ago in Kentuck,
be witnessed battle with one Of these con
Rregations OF rattlesnakes by RoIkmen, il
which the slain were eaten by their conqucTors
Serpent eating appears 10 be universal despit
the detestatiOn in which most peoples holt
them; but Lumholz afiirms that their flesh. 0
al least that Of the Australian boa, lie prc-emi
nently dry and tasteless. Despite wide
spread tradition % the contrary Crotal do no
bite themselves when desperately wounded. a
many creatures do. They are safe from tbei
own poison, that Of other rattlesnakes, an
moccasins The writer has killed many an
seen multitudes destroyed, but never observe
anything like the act in question.
They bite other animals however, and thi
is done IN the following manner When ia
head is daTted forward the mouth opens, an
the fang, which otherwise lies in fold Of III
sue on the inner margin Of the upper Jaw. wit
its point backward becomes aut0maticall
erect. Their genOm-tOoth, whose dimension
vary With the species, age and size Of The an
NAL, is keen, curved like Turkish eabe
blade, and Is traversed by internal cani
opening anteriOrly little below It's p0in
while at the base IL communicates with II
duct Of an almOnd-shaped poisoning that liz
under the eye. Instantly that this Weapo
enters the flesh the mouth iE closed by COZ
traction Of the temporal muscles, and the fau
is thus pushed farther IN. Al the same tin
the muscular contraction which shuts the jaw
COMPRISES TIE POIsoY-sAc
whose contents then pass into the dental can
through simultaneous relaxation Of the co
stTictOr fbers which surround its duet. Stri
ing involves, therefore, a complicated series
motions, and, DR.. $. MIcT Mitchell observe
combines the features Of bite aud a stab
all IAanatOphid8, or veHOmous serpcnts, q
mechanism Of striking Is practically the sam
Asiatic and American snakes sccrete dihere
venoms. All that are known, however, whenc
sOeVer they come, contain as active principl
either one or the other Of two soluble albuni
Gus substances, called by the authority ia
referred 10 venom peptone," and "Veno
globulin." These always cOeEist ia sna
p0isons, but not in the same proportion, aud
IL the latter which predOminates ia that Of 4
Fattlesnake Toxic albumen acts different
npon living bodies accordingly as either age
Is in excess. NenOms, Also are not equal
virBlent. An average cobra is more dead
than an ordinary rattlesnake, and this than {
oOppeThead, mOccasn, coral snake, or Flordi
elaps while the bite Of an East Indian Opl
ophagus is much more fatal than that of al
other species known.
Al.