The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1906-01-17

SNAKES are ali Fl9Ilp do AOON'
very unsatisfactory as pets, for the
reason that they have no phychologl-
cal nature" said a scientist. During
a six years residence in the west he
made a close study of snakes and their
wavs. Having them in his study I'M
confined and about his premises IN
numbers he becomes familiar with
them. says the Washington Post.
The wisdom of a serpent he pro-
nounces myth, though he admits
that snakes have much cunning, are
willy to degree, and perfectly under
stand their powers and limitations.
For example, rattlesnake does not
retreat in haste when disturbed. Real
ling that it's bite ends the game, it is
invariably deliberate, but left to it.
self in its own good time it makes its
way off.
Other venomous snakes also recede
slowly, understanding, as does the
RATHER, that they are equal to most
emergencies. Contrary to the common
notion, snakes are not hostile to man.
The most venomous and powerful will
run from man if possible. 1t is only
in seIf-defense that any poisonous
snake strikes.
That rattlesnake rattles to give
warning Of its presence is a popular
fallacy. Tt really does nothing of the
kind. The tails Of all snakes culver
when excited and the RATHER is heard
when disturbed Why it has rattles
on it's tail no one has ever been able
to find out.
The chief difference between the
ways of poisonous snake and of one
whose bite is no more than the sting
of mosquito is in the deliberate with
drawal of the one and the hasty re-
treat of the other in case of danger.
The large majority of snakes are quite
harmless and slip away with all speed
at the approach of either human be
ING or an animal knowing that the
ability to conceal themselves is their
one means of preservation.
Curious as "A Woman.
While not crediting snakes with wis
dom. it is stated that in many ways
they are the reverse of stupid. Ihey
are very curious, and when they can
do so without danger to themselves
they examine an unfamiliar ObJecU
with keen and repeated attention.
1t is related by this scientist that in
70 q water snake
he put his foot on it in the soft OOze at
the creek side, but failed to hold it..
To see what the snake would do he
stood perfectly still, and in fe" mo-
ments it came back and, swimming
SLOWLY round and round his boot eX-
amined it most carefully, not, as
might be supposed. by looking at it,
but bv touching it at every point bv
its tongue, not Cnce but again and
again.
The quick thrusting out and draw
inc in of the tongue is a snake way
of finding out what things about it
mean. The tongue is its most import
ant sense organ. 1t really has very
little sensation elsewhere, and those
that are most poisonous can, II not re-
strained or hurt, be moved about with
impunity.
Yet those who handle and study
snakes constantly invariably hold
them by the back o. the neck as cat
does her kittens, and both seize and
liberate them with alacrity. Before
they are seized the rule is to keep out
of striking distance, which is one
third of the length of the snake.
In the college town where these
studies of snakes were made the an
tipathy and horror with which they
are ordinarily regarded no longer
prevails. On one occasion city Wis
itor at the scientists house announced
in terror that there was a snake on
the steps of the porch.
''Yes; it's summing itself" her host
ess replied easily. Il often fear
some one will step on it. For several
wears it has been about the grounds.
1t is quite harmless though occasion
ally it captures and devOurs young
robin. Snakes are so very fond of
birds, and they require live food.
Pilot Snakes as Companions
For some years a large pilot snak%
Dicxed up on a Michigan prairie an,
named Daisy. was almost constantly
with this man, who, to know snakes,
made companions of them. Often il
wound itself around his arm, and II
seemed to like being there.
The dainties that snakes love he
provided. and he constantly bestowed
on Daisy such care and attention as
was calculated to win a snakes afec-
ton. The only result was that Daisy
grew quite unafraid; seemed TO prefer