The San Francisco call., 1896-04-04

protection from its enemies. This variety
never grows very large; it rarely exceeds
three feet in length 1t is usually quite
dark-colored, SO much go, in fact, that it is
often known as the black rattiesnake.'
In San Diego County, IN the moist coast
region, the largest rattler of California
abounds in uncomfortable numbers. This
is the Western diamond rattlesnake. or
as he is scientifically named the Crotalus
atrox ruber. This species sometimes at
talns length OF nve and six feet, with a
body as big around as one of Corbett's
arms. he is not, however, so ferocious as
his name implies. lie is inclined to slug
glshness, and would rather sneak off igno-
mlnlously than engage in open warfare.
But woe TO him who corners one of these
gentry. Their bite is certain and horrible
death. In appearance they are of light
buff and brown color, with scales tipped
with white and their tail is white crossed
with regular black bars. Their head is
fat and about the size of silver dollar
''On the desert of San Diego County
there occurs very rarely another large rat
tlesnake known as Mitchells rattlesnake,
or Crotalus Mitchellii. The skin of this
species is pepper and salt, with white
underneath, the general white appear
ance in the sunlight giving it the name of
this species is in Lower California, but it is
found farther north, and chiefly in the
Colorado Valley.
Two other species are found in the
desert portion of the State. one of which
lives in the higher localities, the other
down on the desert proper. Both of these
species are very formidable, and never
hesitate TO stand for their rights on the
slightest provocation. The one living on
the desert mountains, the tiger rattlesnake,
or Crotalus tigris is somewhat "a stranger
TO the herpetologist, owing to the inaccessi-
BILE regions he inhablts, and to his skulk-
ing nocturnal instincts. In this as we'll as
In feroclty, and in color he resembles his
namesake, the tiger, and waits until dark
ness has settled over the barren wastes OF
his internal domain before he glides out on
his expeditions of slaughter.
The other species that lives in the
lower levels is the most remarkable of all
his family. He enjoys the convenient
faculty OF moving sideways. This pecu-
liar characteristic has given him the name
Of the 'side-winder. He is also called,
because of two pyramidal horns. one over
each eye, the horned viper, or Crotalus
ceraster.' 1t is said that the flank move
ments practiced by this tactician among
reptiles greatly aid him in the capture of
his sps prey; ~,,. ,.,.,...... :.
clined to save their poison than to use it.
The secretion Is not so rapid as that of the
saliva in the human mouth. In fact, a
rattiesnake can bite poisonousy but two
or three times in quick succession.
There is no truth to the theory of snake
mesmerism." continued Mr.. Van Dem
burgh. THE foundation of this idea lies
on two facts-first, that snakes are largely
abroad In the spring time, when birds are
nesting. The snakes approach nest to
crafty their fondness for eggs; the old
birds hover around simply from anxiety
and affection for their young. Again, an
animal bitten by a snake lives for several
minutes afterward, and it founders around
in dazed, helpless sort of way from the
effect Of the poison.
The most peculiar feature about the
rattlesnake Is the rattle. Popular super
stition has it that the rattle Increases by
one segment a year. but the fact is that
when the rattle starts a small button
forms at the end of the tail; this is before
the birth OF the snake. Afterward a segment
is added whenever the reptile sheds its
skin, which takes place at irregular in
tervals, varying in length IN different
snakes. The length of these periods may
be six months or a year. Also the rattle
Is worn by being dragged across rocks and
segments fall off, so it is absolutely i'm
possible to judge accurately of their age
by counting the rattles.
Several theories have been advanced
Tor the necessity of the rattle. 1t is used
for frightening off larger animals, and.
perhaps, chiefly as call in the mating
season.
"Rattlesnakes are really the only poison.
Gus reptiles in tnis State, the only excen-
ton being the little coral snake, which is
found only in the desert near Death VAL
ley. The other kinds of snakes found in
the interior valleys are perfectly harmless
and are of vast benefit to farmers, killing
as they do rodents and other small AMI
mais that iniure plants and trees
Arizona which contains mora cpol- -.
than any other State in the Union. has
two more species of rattlers than Califor-
MA