148 The Natural Historic 



to perfect this Cure is by the Rattle-snake Root, cupping 

 Glasses and Scarification, or cutting off the Flesh to the 

 Bone, and lastly by Amputation of the Parts. These Snakes 

 are near as long as the Rattle-snake, but are not plenty in 

 this Province, and I have been credibly informed by several 

 of the Planters, that they have seen them strike their Horns 

 into Trees, and particularly into the Pine and Locust, which 

 in a few Hours decayed and died, though before that it was 

 in it's full Bloom. But be that as it will, I am certain of 

 this, that it is a dangerous Snake, and it's Wounds very 

 difficult and tedious to be cured. 



The Water-snakes, whereof there are four sorts. The 

 first is of the Horn-snake Colour, but not so large, and is as 

 poysonous as any of the other sorts. The second is a long 

 Snake, and differs from the other in colour, being more dark. 

 These Snakes will frequently swim over large Rivers, and 

 often hang upon the Boughs of Birch, and several other Trees 

 by the Water side, and sometimes drop into the Cannoes as 

 they are passing by, they are also very poysonous. The third 

 is of an English Adder colour, but always frequents the Salts, 

 and lies generally under the drift Sea-weed, where they are 

 in abundance, and are accounted very mischievous when they 

 bite. The fourth is of a sooty black Colour, and frequents 

 Ponds and Ditches, and is as Poysonous as any of the former. 

 When these Snakes bite (if a Remedy be not speedily applied) 

 there ensueth great Pain, Inflammation, blackness in the 

 Wound, the Vertigo, and Death within three Days; for the 

 Poyson is so malignant, that it forthwith disperses through 

 the whole Body, which Avhen it comes to the Heart, the 

 Creature immediately falls down dead. These and all the 

 other Snakes lay Eggs, except the Viper. The Cure for the 



bite 



