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Show IX DEFENSE OF THE FANGLESS SNAKES Animals of many kinds are protected pro-tected by law;, but there are some humble creatures that have not come under the protecting wings of law these creatures are the . snakes. snak-es. Their destruction is tolerated. But why should the six hundred species spe-cies of snakes found the world over suffer death penalty upon sight because be-cause about sixty species are poisonous? poison-ous? Why should the fifty species )f snakes found within the L'ni'ed states suffer death penalty upon :ight because four are venomus? Why should the glass-snake or joint snake which in fact is not a snake uit a lizard, suffer the fate of snakes? snak-es? The reason for such ruthless k:l-'ing k:l-'ing is ignorance. Gossip is a great factor in instiling instil-ing an unwarranted hatred for the makes. Who, for instance, has not teard of the "hoop-snake?" But be assured no snake ever rol-'ed rol-'ed down hill with its tail in its nouth, or otherwise; and be assured io tree was ever killed by a snake. True, there is a snake commonly called cal-led "hoop-snake," Abastor erythro-Tramus; erythro-Tramus; it may be that on account if its terrible scientific name some oiks would have it extinct. The spreading adder is likewise considered a poisonous snake by oeople who know nothing about v This snake is not poisonous, but it 's the biggest bluff we know. When irritated it will hiss spread its head and neck two or three inches, coil up 'ake'an at'itude for striking and here the performance ends. It is perfectly harmless, "When pressed further it will often turn over on its back and play possom. There are four poisonous groups of snakes within the boundaries of the' United S-ates; these are: the moccasin, rattler, copperhead, and harlequin. All are easily distinguished distin-guished by their large, broad heads. de?p-set black eyes, small neck, stout, bulky body, and short tail! The most dangerous of these we think, is the moccasin, for it usually rests on branches of low trees and shrubs and strikes at a passing victim. vic-tim. However, it will refrain from striking unless irrigated and will give battle only when teased or frightened. The rattler comprises many species of which the diamond back is the most plentiful It is dreaded by all, yet is not the most vtnomous. Death from a rattler bite depends upon the activity of 'he snake, the time of the vear the condition of the person struck, and the spot affected by the poison, Besides Be-sides tiis rattlers will give the trespasser tres-passer a warning. The copperhead s next in rank In regard to virulence virulen-ce of poison. It. is the. most aggressive aggress-ive of our snakes. Fortunately it s not found in Florida. There is also al-so another species, a verv beaut'ful snake, the harlequin or bead snake H is the least venomous of our poisonous poi-sonous snakw. Now having this in mind, count he number of persons you know of "1 the United States that have did "rorn snake bitel. If you know of me, you know of one more than I o. Yet a ruthless warfare is earned ear-ned on against all snakes and every -reature that has the semblance of a 'nake, irrespective ot its" harmless nd often beneficial character. " |