THE SERPENT KIND. 



737 



the arm, as before, and wrapping it up in 

 brown paper soaked in the oil. 



Such are the effects of the viper's bite ; yet 

 its flesh has long been celebrated as a noble 

 medicine. A broth, made by boiling one vi- 

 per in a quart of water till it conies to a pint, 

 is the usual method in which it is given at 

 present ; and it is said to be a very power- 

 ful restorative in battered constitutions: the 

 salt of vipers is also thought to exceed any 

 other animal salt whatever, in giving vigour 

 to the languid circulation, and prompting to 

 venery. 



The Rattlesnake is bred in America, and 

 in no part of the old world. Some are as 

 thick as a man's leg, and six feet in length ; 

 but the most usual size is from four to live 

 feet long. In most particulars it resembles 

 the viper: like that animal, having a large 

 head and a small neck, being of a dusky co- 

 lour, and furnished with fangs that inflict the 

 most terrible wounds. It differs, however, 

 in having a large scale, which hangs like a 

 penthouse over each eye. The eye also is 

 furnished with a nictitating membrane, that 

 preserves it from dust; and its scales are of 

 a considerable degree of hardness, They 

 are of an orange, tawny, and blackish colour, 

 on the back ; and of an ash-colour on the bel- 

 ly, inclining to lead. The male may be rea- 

 dily distinguished from the female, by a black 

 velvet spot on the head, and by the head being 

 smaller and longer. But that which, besides 

 their superior malignity, distinguishes them 

 from all other animals, is their rattle, an in- 

 btrument lodged in their tail, by which they 

 make such a loud, rattling noise, when they 

 move, that their approach may readily be per- 

 ceived, and the danger avoided. This rat- 

 tle, which is placed in the tail, somewhat re- 

 sembles, when taken out of the body, the curb 

 chain of a bridle: it is composed of several 

 thin, hard, hollow bones, linked to each other, 

 and rattling upon the slightest motion. It is 

 supposed by some, that the snake acquires 

 an additional bone every year; and that, from 

 hence, its age may be precisely known : how- 

 ever this may be, certain it is, that the young 

 snakes, of a year or two old, have no rattles 

 at all : while many old ones have been kill- 

 ed, that had from eleven to thirteen joints 

 each. They shake and make a noise with 



these rattles with prodigious quickness when 

 they are disturbed; however, the peccary and 

 the vulture are no way terrified at the sound, 

 but hasten, at the signal, to seize the snake, 

 as their most favourite prey. 



It is very different with almost every other 

 animal. The certain death which ensues 

 from this terrible creature's bite, makes a so- 

 litude wherever it is heard. It moves alon^r 

 with the most maje&tic rapidity; neither seek- 

 ing to offend the larger animals, nor fearing 

 their insults. If unprovoked, it never meddles 

 with any thing but its natural prey ; but when 

 accidentally trod upon, or pursued to be de- 

 stroyed, it then maltes a dreadful and des- 

 perate defence. It ercols itself upon its tail, 

 throws back the head, and inilicts its wound 

 in a moment ; then parts, and inilicts a second 

 wound : after which, we are told, by some, 

 that it remains torpid and inactiv.e, without 

 even attempting to escape. 



The very instant (lie wound is inflicted, 

 though small in itself, it appears more pain- 

 ful than the sting of a bee. This pain, which 

 is so suddenly felt, far from abating, grows 

 every moment more excruciating and danger- 

 ous : the limb swells; the venom reaches the 

 head, which is soon of a monstrous size; the 

 eyes are red and fiery; the heart beats quick, 

 with frequent interruptions; the pain becomes 

 insupportable, and some expire under it in 

 five or six hours; but others, who are of 

 stronger constitutions, survive the agony for 

 a few hours longer, only to sink under a ge- 

 neral mortification, which ensues, and cor- 

 rupts the -whole body. 



As a gentleman in Virginia was walking 

 iii the fields for his amusement, he acciden- 

 tally trod upon a rattlesnake, that had been 

 lurking in a stony place; which, enraged by 

 the pressure, reared up, bit his hand, and 

 shook his rattles. The gentleman readily 

 perceived that he was in the most dreadful 

 danger; but unwilling to die unrevenged, he 

 killed the snake, and carrying it home in his 

 hand, threw it on the ground before his fa- 

 mily, crying out, " I am killed, and there is 

 my murderer!" In such an extremity, the spee- 

 diest remedies were the best. His arm, which 

 was beginning to swell, was tied up near the 

 shoulder, the wound wag anointed with oil, 

 arid every precaution taken to stop the infeo 



