RECORD: Darwin, C. R. & Emma Darwin. n.d. Abstract of Shaler, The rattlesnake and natural selection. CUL-DAR189.133. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 2.2022. RN2

NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volume CUL-DAR189 contains material for Darwin's book Expression of the emotions.

N. S. Shaler. 1872. The rattlesnake and natural selection. American Naturalist 6 (January): 32-37.


[133]

In foot-note 3

The American Naturalist Jan 1872 p. 32

I regret that I cannot follow Prof Shaler that the rattling by its close resemblance in believing that the rattle has been developed for the sake of making [producing] a noise so like that of a Cicada that it serves to attract birds;

[insertion:] Quote the early – He states that it is indistinguishable in a state of nature from that of Cicada rimosa

[pencil insertions illeg]

though I do not mean to doubt that the noise sound may be closely alike & may occasionally subserve this end. The final cause is probably the same of the noises produced in such widely different manners by the above 3 snakes. If the rattle-snake made its

[133v]

noise chiefly for the sake of attracting prey it is doubtful whether it wd invariably make this sound when enraged or disturbed. Shew that I observed the vibrating of the tail of another snake long ago, & remark that it the right as rattle-snake??

Prof. S. states that "the skins of some serpents are more imperfectly detailed from the region about the tail than at other parts of the body." He gives nearly the same view about the formation of the rattle as i have for a long time thought probable.

[Expression, p. 107]


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Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

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