issing of the berg adder, the
rearing, uncanny pose of an infuriated cobra--there is one image vivid
above all, the rattlesnake. Thrown into a gracefully symmetrical coil,
the body inflated, the neck arched in an oblique bow in support of the
heart-shaped head, the slowly waving tongue with spread and tremulous
tips, and above all, the incessant, monotonous whir of the rattle. One
stroke--a flash--of that flat head would inject a virus bringing speedy
death."

[Illustration: RATTLESNAKE.]

The rattlesnake always warns its enemy of its presence by its rattle.
Were it not for this habit there would probably be many more deaths from
the bites of this snake. The snake does not add a new ring to its rattle
each year, as it is popularly supposed to do. The Massasauga is one of
the smaller rattlesnakes, averaging about two feet in length. It
inhabits swampy places. The Timber Rattlesnake is found from Vermont to
Florida and west to Kansas. It is abundant in the mountains of New York,
Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. In the spring and fall the snakes
congregate on ledges of rocks; such places are called "rattlesnake
dens." They spend the winter in crevices in these rocky places. The
Timber Rattler is more timid than many of its cousins, preferring
flight to combat, but if cornered will fight as fiercely. It feeds on
birds and small animals. The largest rattlesnake is the Diamond-back.
Specimens have been caught that measured over six feet long and four
inches around. This snake is one of the most deadly in the world. It is
found most abundantly in Florida. It is never known to strike uncoiled
and rarely retreats from danger. The food of this snake seems to consist
mostly of small animals. It takes but a minute for the poison from the
Diamond-back's fangs to kill a rabbit.

THE TURTLES AND TORTOISES

THE CHELONIA OR TURTLES AND TORTOISES.

Turtles and tortoises belong to the order known as Chelonia. There are
Fresh-water Turtles, Sea Turtles and Land Turtles.

THE SEA TURTLES.

These turtles are often carried by storm far north of their customary
habitat, which is in the warmer waters of the southeastern coast. The
Leatherback, or Trunk Turtle, is the largest of the sea turtles,
sometimes reaching a weight of half a ton. It is not found in abundance.
The Loggerhead Turtle has a very large head. Its eggs are buried in the
sand about May or June and the young turtles hatch out in about two
months' time. The