of North Carolina. 149 



bite of these, is much tlie same witli that of the Ilorii-snake, 

 and their Virtues and Uses the same with the Yi-per. 



The Swani'p-snakes, whereof there are three sorts, and are 

 very like the Water-snakes, and may properly be ranked 

 amongst them. The first is of a dirt Brown colour on his 

 Back, and the Belly is of a Carnation or Pink colour, and 

 is large, but not venemous. The second is large, and the 

 back is of the colour of the former, but the Belly is of a 

 tawny and light Copper colour, beautifully mottled ; these 

 always abide in Swamps and Marshes, and are poysonous. 

 The third is mottled, with a dark brown Colour on the Back, 

 and the Belly of a livid and Orange colour. They are very 

 poysonous, and remain likewise in Swamps and Ponds, and 

 have prodigious wide Mouths, they are commonly as thick 

 as the Calf of a Man's Leg, though they are not very long, 

 they feed on Water-rats, Mice, and several sorts of Insects. 

 The cure of these is much the same with the former, and 

 may indifferently be used after the same manner. 



The Red-hack Snakes (so called from their Red-backs) 

 are long slender Snakes, they are rare to be met with, and 

 are very poysonous ; it is reported that the Indians themselves 

 cannot cure the venemous bite of them: I never knew any 

 one bit by them, and I saw but one during my abode in those 

 Parts. 



The Vijjers whereof there are two sorts. The first is of 

 a grayish colour like the Italian Viper, the other black and 

 short. Both these sorts are venemous, and spread their 

 Heads flat when they are provoked. They lie hid in the 

 Ground all the Winter Season, and are generally about a 

 Foot and a half, or two Feet in Length. Their Heads are 

 very broad compared with the Body, and the ^eck much 

 narrower than the Head. Their Tails are small sharp, and 



curled 



