VEGETABLE POISONS. 163 



distinguished from other serpents, by the number 

 of its scales on the abdomen and the under sur- 

 face of its tail ; in having a double set of poison- 

 ous fangs ; and by the tail terminating in a large 

 scaly appendage, consisting of several articulated 

 horny processes, which move and make a rattling 

 noise. 



The rattle snake is divided into five species, 

 each differing in their external character, size, 

 and malignancy ; of which the crotalus horridus 

 is by far the largest and most formidable. They 

 are all, like the viper, viviparous ; that is, they 

 produce their young alive and completely formed, 

 generally about twelve in number ; and like that 

 animal also, they receive them into their mouth, 

 when alarmed or threatened with danger. 



The Crotalus Horridus, or bandied Rattle Snake, 

 is from five to eight feet in length, and its body is 

 about the circumference of the human arm ; the 

 back being of an orange tawny mixed with blue ; 

 the belly of an ash colour inclining to the aspect 

 of lead ; while the head is distinguished, by a 

 scale, hanging like a pent-house over each eye. 

 But the most curious part of its external confor- 

 mation, is its tail, from which the animal derives 

 its name. This consists of a kind of rattle, 

 formed of a certain number of loosely connected 

 joints or articulations, commencing when the 

 animal is about three years old, and adding one 

 each succeeding year; so that they generally 



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