of North Carolina. 143 



approaching them a gi'eat way off. Their Skins are all over 

 full of thin tender Scales, with a Kidge through the middle 

 of them, of an Orange-tawny, and blackish colour, beauti- 

 fully mottled on their Backs, and their Bellys an Ash colour, 

 inclining to Lead. The Male is easily distinguished from 

 the Female, by a Spot on his Head of a black Velvet colour, 

 and his Head is smaller shaped and longer. Their Bite is 

 very venemous if not speedily remedied, and especially if it 

 happens in a Vein, Nerve, Tendon, or Sinew, where it is 

 difficult to be cured. The Wound grows black, or of a livid 

 colour, causing a swelling in the Parts ; dimness of the Eyes, 

 paleness of the Face, Swooning, and Death, if a Cure be not 

 applied in time. They are a majestick sort of Creature, 

 and will seldom or never bite (except they are provoked) 

 which they cannot do until they gather themselves into a 

 Quoil or Circle, and then will spring at a good distance to 

 bite whatever provokes or injures them, otherwise they are 

 most peaceable Creatures, and never attack or molest any one. 

 The Indians pretend to charm them, so that they can take 

 them up in their Hands, without any danger of being bit ; 

 but how far they may be expert in this kind of Practice, is 

 still a Secret among them, but this I am certain of, that they 

 are famous in curing the Bite of these and most other sorts 

 of venemous Creatures in these parts. They have of late 

 communicated the Method how to cure the Bite of the Rattle- 

 Snake to the Christians, which almost every Planter is very 

 well acquainted with. This Cure is perfected by chewing in 

 the Mouth the Root of an Herb that beareth Tuffts or But- 

 tons at the top like Scahions, but not of that Colour ; this 

 Root is as hot in the Mouth as Ginger, and about the same 

 thickness, it is called the Rattle-Snake-Root, from its curing 



the 



