ON ANIMAL AND 



so closely, as easily to admit of the tooth being 

 extracted. 



In Bingley's Animal Biography, the name of a 

 gentleman is mentioned, who saw a rattle snake 

 in which the fangs had been extracted, that was 

 so completely tamed, " that it would turn its 

 back to be scratched with the same delight, that 

 a cat displays when nibbed before a fire ; and 

 would answer to the calls of the boys, and follow 

 them like any other domesticated animal." In 

 the same manner, the cobra de capella is tamed 

 in India, and the viper in this country. 



The flesh of all these animals, so far from 

 being poisonous, is extremely nutritive ; and 

 among savage nations, is considered a great deli- 

 cacy. 4< The American Indians regale on the 

 rattle snake, and cook it as we do eels ; and the 

 peccary, the vulture, and other ravenous birds 

 feed on its flesh." The negroes in the West 

 Indies often make snakes a part of their diet ; 

 and the use of the viper has long been weH 

 understood in this country. 



The Crotalus, or Rattle Snake, is peculiar to 

 America, and is found in almost every part of it, 

 from the Straits of Magellan to Lake Champlam 

 on the borders of Canada. It reaches its greatest 

 magnitude however, and assumes its most viru- 

 lent character, in the warmer American latitudes ; 

 where humidity mostly prevails, and where cul- 

 tivation has made the least progress. It ia 



