Penjylvaniai near Germantown. 3 1 7 



time a great number of fquirrels came down 

 into the colonies, yet the winter was very 

 mild and nocolder than common. But it ap- 

 peared that their migration was occafioned 

 by the fcarcity of nuts and acorns, which 

 happened that year in the higher parts of 

 the country, and obliged them to come 

 ihither for their food. Therefore they ge- 

 inerally return the next year to the place 

 from which they came. 



Some people reckon fquirrel flefh a great 

 dainty, but the generality make no account 

 !of it. The fkin is good for little, yet fmall 

 ftraps are fometimes made of it, as it is very 

 tough : others ufe it as a furr lining, for 

 want of a better. Ladies flioes are like- 

 wife fometimes made of it. 



The Rattle fnake often devours the 

 fquirrels, notwithftanding all their agi- 

 lity. This unwieldy creature, is faid to 

 catch fo agile an one, merely by fafcination. 

 I have never had an opportunity of feeing 

 how it is done : but fo many credible peo- 

 ple affured me of the truth of the fadl, and 

 alTerted that they were prefent, and paid 

 peculiar attention to it, that I am almoft 

 forced to believe their unanimous accounts. 

 The fafcination is effedted in the following 

 manner : the fnake lies at the bottom of 

 the tree upon which the fquirrel fits j its 



eyes 



