212 lawson's history 



which knowledge came from the Indians, who 

 have performed several great cures. The rattle 

 snakes are accounted the peaceablest in the world ; 

 for they never attack any one or injure them, un- 

 less they are trod upon or molested. The most 

 danger of being bit by these snakes, is for those 

 that survey land in Carolina ; yet I never heard 

 of any surveyor that was killed or hurt by them. 

 I have myself gone over several of this sort and 

 others, yet it pleased God, I never came to any 

 harm. They have the power or art, I know not 

 which to call it, to charm squirrels, hares, part- 

 ridges, or any such thing, in such a manner that 

 they run directly into their mouths. This I have 

 seen by a sq^uirrel and one of these rattle snakes ; 

 and other snakes have, in some measure, the same 

 power. The rattle snakes have many small teeth 

 of which I cannot see they make any use, for 

 they swallow every thing whole; but the teeth 

 which poison are only four — two on each side of 

 their upper jaws. These are bent like a sickle, 

 and hang loose as if by a joint, towards the set- 

 ting on of these, there is in each tooth a little 

 hole, wherein you may just get in the^ point of a 

 small needle. And here it is that the poison 

 comes out, which is as green as grass, and follows 

 the wound made by the point of their teeth. — 

 They are much more venomous in the months of 

 June and July, than they are in March, April or 

 September. The hotter the weather the more 

 poisonous. Neither may we suppose, that they 



