. The naturalist's library; containing scientific and popular descriptions of man, quadrupeds, birds, fishes, reptiles and insects; . ityof the tail with a rattle, formed of hollow, moveable and sonorous plates. SO* 704 REP TIL I A—RATTLESNAKE. head, and by the head being smaller and longer. But that which, besidestheir superior malignity, distinguishes them from all other animals, is theirrattle an instrument lodged in their tail, by which they make such a loud,rattling noise, when they move, that their approach may readily be per-ceived, and the danger avoided. This rattle, which is placed i
. The naturalist's library; containing scientific and popular descriptions of man, quadrupeds, birds, fishes, reptiles and insects; . ityof the tail with a rattle, formed of hollow, moveable and sonorous plates. SO* 704 REP TIL I A—RATTLESNAKE. head, and by the head being smaller and longer. But that which, besidestheir superior malignity, distinguishes them from all other animals, is theirrattle an instrument lodged in their tail, by which they make such a loud,rattling noise, when they move, that their approach may readily be per-ceived, and the danger avoided. This rattle, which is placed in the tail,somewhat resembles, when taken from the body, the curb chain of a bridle;it is composed of several thin, hard, hollow bones, linked on each other, andrattling upon the slightest motion. It is supposed by some that the snakeacquires an additional bone every year; and that from this its age may beprecisely known; however this may be, certain it is, that the young snakesof a year or two old, have no rattles at all; while many old ones have beenkilled, had from eleven to thirteen joints each Trfey shake and make. a noise with these rattles, with prodigious quickness when they are dis-turbed ; however, the peccary and the vulture are no way terrified at thesound, but hasten at the signal, to seize the snake, as their most favoriteprey. It is very different with almost every other animal. The certain deathwhich ensues from this terrible creatures bite, makes a solitude wherever itis heard. It moves along most majestically; neither seeking to offend thelarger animals, nor fearing their insults. If unprovoked, it never meddleswith any thing but its natural prey ; but when accidentally trodden upon,or pursued to be destroyed, it then makes a dreadful and desperate erects itself upon its tail, throws back its head, and inflicts the wound ina moment; then parts, and inflicts a second wound; after which, we aretold by some, that it remains torpid and inactive
Size: 1844px × 1355px
Photo credit: © Reading Room 2020 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, bookidnaturalistsl, bookyear1851
