D4 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 
Color. Above copper-brown, which is much brighter on the sides. Across the back are 
about sixteen reddish brown bands, bordered with dusky, and becoming irregularly dilated on 
the flanks. These bands or blotches may be traced also over the tail, which is dusky towards 
the tip ; between these bands, are irregularly interspersed rounded spots of the same color. 
Beneath, the abdominal plates pale cupreous, with a series of about thirty-five large, rounded 
or subquadrate dusky blotches on each side, and alternating with each other. They become 
irregular, and more numerous towards the tail ; occasionally a few dusky spots are interposed 
between these series, on the centre of the abdominal plates. Head somewhat brighter colored 
than the upper part of the body. : 
Abdominal plates,.. 145 - 155. Total length,.... 25°0 - 36°0. 
Caudal ditto,..... . 35- 45. Dittovof tail, .5- 35 — 475s 
The Copper-head is a vicious reptile, and its bite is justly dreaded. Its poison is considered 
as deadly as that of a rattlesnake ; and an instance is recorded, where a horse, struck by 
one of these reptiles, died in a few hours. It has various popular names in different districts ; 
the most common of these are, in this State, Copper-head, Red Adder and Dumb Rattle- 
snake. In other districts, it is called Copper-belly, Red Viper, Deaf Adder and Chunk- 
head. Its motions are sluggish; and when approached, it assumes a threatening aspect, 
raising its head and throwing out its tongue. It chiefly occurs in pastures and low meadow 
grounds, feeding on field mice, frogs, and the smaller disabled birds. Many vegetable antidotes 
have been proposed against the venomous bite of this and the rattlesnake, but they all seem to 
depend mainly upon their being infused in large quantities of fluid. Nothing is more effectual 
than scarifying extensively, and cupping the wound. When the parts cannot be reached, 
after the application of a ligature, sucking the wound, if long continued, is commonly sufhi- 
cient, together with copious draughts of oil, milk, or even warm water. Arsenic is said to 
have been used with great success. In a paper in the Medico-chirurgical Transactions, this 
remedy, combined with cathartic clysters, and frictions of oil of turpentine and spirits of 
ammonia on the wound, is said to have cured four very bad cases arising from the bite of a 
serpent. The arsenic was given in this form: Two drachms of Fowler’s solution, with ten 
drops of laudanum and half an ounce of lime juice, in peppermint, formed a dose taken 
every half hour. From six to eight doses of the solution was found to be sufficient. ‘The 
debility which ensued was counteracted by continuing the remedies in gradually diminished 
doses. The Prenanthes serpentaria or lion’s-foot, the Alisma plantago or water plantain, and 
the Hieraceum venenosum or hawk-weed, have each had their vogue as remedies against 
this poison, but they can scarcely be depended on without the aid of the other remedies sug- 
gested above. An interesting series of experiments on the poison of the rattlesnake will be 
found in the Medical and Physical Researches of Dr. Harlan, to which we refer our reader. 
Although the Copper-head is found in the western district of the State, yet I noticed them 
most numerous in the meadows of Columbia and Dutchess counties. Its geographical range 
extends from 45° north latitude to Florida. It does not seem to occur abundantly east of this 
