of North Carolina. 145 



Weather; for you shall see several sorts of them lying dead, 

 at the approach of the Winter, not being able to reach or 

 crawl into their Holes. jSTeither can we suppose that they 

 can renew their Poison as soon, or as often as they please, 

 for we have known Instances to the contrary of two that 

 were bit in the Leg by one Rattle-Snahe, as they were trav- 

 elling in the Woods. The first was very painful some Days, 

 not having an opportunity to get the Rattle-Snake Root, in 

 some Hours after he was bit. The other received no more 

 harm by that Bite than if he had been bit by a Mouse, or any 

 other Creature not venemous ; so that w^e may reasonably 

 conjecture from this Observation, that their Poyson is not 

 always of the same efficacy. I enquired of the first Person, 

 what he felt when the Snake first bit him ; he said, it seemed 

 as if a flash of Fire had run through his Body. The Indians 

 frequently pull out their Teeth, so that they never after- 

 wards can do any Mischief by biting; this may be easily 

 done, by tying a bit of red Wollen Cloth to the upper end of 

 a long hollow Cane, and so provoking the Rattle-Snalce to 

 bite, and suddenly pulling it away from him, by which means 

 the Teeth stick fast in the Cloath, which are plainly to be 

 seen by those present. They have two I^ostrils on each side 

 of their ]^ose, which is not common in many of the other 

 sorts of Snakes. They are so venemous that they frequently 

 bite and poyson themselves : For, oftentimes when we have 

 found out where they are (which is easily known by their 

 continual Rattling with their Tails, which they shake and 

 shiver with wonderful nimbleness when they are any way 

 disturbed) we cut down long Poles or Reeds and make the 

 tops thereof sharp, wherewith we tickle their sides, and pro- 

 voke them, that at length they become so enraged, they bite 

 themselves, and dye in a short time. 



10 T I 



