284 SNAKES. 



Birth.' . . ' Gall mixed with Clay and made into Pills are kept 

 for Use and accounted a noble Remedy.' . . 'This Snake has 

 two Nostrils on each Side its Nose. Their Venom I have 

 Reason to believe effects no Harm any otherwise than when 

 darted into the Wound by the Serpent's Teeth.' 



This description, being an early and excellent illustration 

 of what has since been termed * Practical Natural History/ is 

 given at length, and because Lawson has been a good deal 

 quoted by subsequent writers. 



So again is Catesby, who went to Virginia in 17 12, 

 staying seven years ' to gratify a passionate desire to view 

 animal and vegetable productions in their native country.' 

 He was the first to figure and to describe two distinct 

 species. It is admitted that he did much for natural history, 

 and his drawings are by far the best that had as yet 

 appeared. Catesby therefore claims a conspicuous place 

 among rattlesnake historians. 



By this time, 173 1, nine or ten of the American colonies 

 had celebrated their first centenary, and had made consider- 

 able advances towards civilisation. In the parts visited by 

 Catesby a good deal of the old English refinement marked the 

 character and manners of the people. But a little domestic 

 incident in the house where he was staying is related by 

 him, and affords us an insight of a less attractive character 

 in plantation life. 



The largest rattlesnake Catesby ever saw was eight feet 

 long, and weighed eight or nine pounds. ' This Monster was 

 gliding into the House of Col. Blake, and had certainly taken 

 up his Abode there undiscovered, had not the Domestic 

 Animals alarmed the Family with, th^ir repeated Outcries : 



