2 74 SNAKES. 



That the work of M. Moyse Charas was translated into 

 Enghsh the following year, proves that the English virtuosi 

 bad really become ' animated ' in the looked-for direction.^ 



In the preface of his book we read: *If Reflexion be made 

 on the many Wonders that are found in the Body of this 

 Animal ' (the viper), * it will be easily granted that it cannot 

 be inquir'd into with too much Exactness : and that it is not 

 a Work that can be finish't at one or two Sittings.' 



This little digression from the rattlesnake is not without 

 its object ; for from this correspondence through the Philo- 

 sophical Transactions we may date the birth of ophiological 

 science in England ; and the reader will be able to place 

 himself on that standpoint in order to reciprocate the kind 

 of interest wath which such an entirely strange and as yet 

 unknown serpent as a rattlesnake was received a short time 

 afterwards. 



In vol. X. 1676, there is 'An Account of Virginia, its 

 Situation, Temperature,' etc., communicated by Mr. Thomas 

 Glover, ' an ingenious Chirugion that hath lived some years in 

 the Country.' 



This gentleman tells us of the climate and productions of 

 the new colony, not omitting those of the animal and 

 vegetable kingdoms ; among the various strange creatures 

 which he describes in the crude language of the time are 

 five or six sorts of snakes, amongst which ' the Rattlesnake 

 is the most remarkable, being about the bigness of a Man's 

 Legg, and for the most part a yard and a half long. He 



^ Nezv Experiments upon Vipers, ixnth Exquisite Remedies that may be draivn 

 from them : as well as Cure for their Bitings, as for that of other Maladies. By 

 M. Charas, now rendered English, 1673. 



