Miscellaneous Facts and Observations. 167 



40. September Wth, 1801. This afternoon, at 43 

 minutes past 4 o'clock, a full-grown rabbit (Lepus 

 Cuniculus) was bitten, two or three times, by a small 

 rattle-snake (Crotalus horridus), which I kept in a 

 glass-vessel. The bites were inflicted in quick suc- 

 cession. The rabbit made a great deal of noise, and, 

 almost instantly, exhibited very decided symptoms 

 of the effects of the poison. He passed water, and 

 was incapable of making any regular use of his hind 

 extremities. His breathing was quick ; it had some 

 convulsions, and, in short, was so much affected, 

 that (having observed similar effects, in many other 

 animals) I thought he would die, in a very short time. 



At the end of one complete hour, however, the 

 animal seemed to be very much recovered, moving 

 about, and using his legs very well. At 8 o'clock, 

 at night, he was still better, though he continued to 

 labour under the influence of the venom. Upon one 

 occasion, on his attempting to run away, he fell down 

 upon his side. I observed also, that when he was put 

 into any particular place, he did not attempt to move 

 away, which at other times he was wont to do. — To- 

 wards 10 o'clock, at night, the animal was in the 

 same spot, in which I had left him two hours before ; 

 and here I found him, in the morning, at 7 o'clock. 



Soon after this, he began to eat grass ; but he was 

 still affected : for when he attempted to run away, he 

 fell down upon his side. He afterwards ate clover, 

 willow-leaves, and bread, but, through the whole of the 



