358 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



shore of Maryland, are entirely black. The shell is nearly round 

 and convex. They seldom exceed a foot in length. These animals 

 are brought in great numbers to the Philadelphia market, where they 

 form one of the greatest delicacies of the table. 



The Alligator is an animal very much resembling the Crocodile of 

 the Nile. Their common length is about 12 feet ; but they have been 

 seen as long as 23 feet. They are strong, fierce and formidable. 

 They move through the water with great velocity. They are covered 

 with scales which are impenetrable to the ball of the rifle. They 

 are however, vulnerable about the head and belly, and so many of 

 them have been destroyed by the inhabitants for their skins, that their 

 number has considerably diminished. They inhabit the waters of 

 the Mississippi, the streams of Florida and Mexico, and the Atlantic 

 coasts of Carolina and (leorgia. The Chameleon is found in Mexico. 

 The Green Carolina Lizzard has sometimes been called the Chame- 

 leon from the different shades of colour it assumes. The Chameleon 

 is however much larger, and its usual colour is grayish. 



The Jiattlc-Snakc is the most venomous of serpents. He is, how- 

 ever, never known to attack man unless he has been touched or af- 

 frighted. We may pass very near him without disturbing him, or 

 his shewing the least disposition to bite. The rattles make no noise, 

 as commonly supposed, when the snake creeps : but when they are 

 affrighted, they coil upon themselves, remain motionless, and are 

 ready to dart forward. Then only, they move Avith an inconceivable 

 velocity the rattles which advise us of their vicinity. In time of dan- 

 ger, the young snakes take refuge in the maw of the old one. It is 

 commonly supposed that the number of rattles is proportioned to the 

 age of the animal, and that it acquires one rattle every year: this 

 however is a mistake ; they have been found to acquire two or three 

 bells hi one year. The venom of the rattle-snake is of a clear trans- 

 parent yellow colour. It is contained in a bladder beneath each fang, 

 and towards the middle of the lower jaw, communicating with the 

 root of the teeth, which, are pierced at their bases, and this opening 

 communicates with the bladder containing the poison. The effects 

 of this venom are very various, not only in different species of ani- 

 mals, but even in different individuals of the same species. It some- 

 times induces most violent pain, which, if we may judge from the 

 cries of the bitten animal, continuing nearly to the close of its life. At 

 other times, it induces death without creating any, or but very little 

 pain. Warm blooded animals sometimes struggle through the dan- 

 ger and recover.* The crotalus horridus somtimes grow to the 

 length of eight feet, and weigh between eight and nine pounds. The 

 other species, though smaller, do not appear to be less venomous. 



The Boa was first ascertained to be a native of the United States 

 by Dr. Mitchell of Kew York. The individual he saw was on Long 

 Island. It was seven feet four inches in length and thick in propor- 

 tion. Its, back was covered with black or dark brown spots. The 

 Boa has no fangs or biting teeth, and is of course not venomous. It 

 lives upon squirrels, rabbits, small birds, &c. This animal is known 

 in the southern states by the name of the pine or bull snake. In In- 

 dia it grows to the length of forty feet, and not unfrequently attacks 

 tygers, horses, &c. 



*Mease's United States, p. 389. 



