REPTILIA-HOODED SERPENT. 705 



The very instant the Avound is inflicted, though small in itself, it appears 

 more painful than the sting of a bee. This pain, which is so suddenly felt, 

 far from abating, grows every moment more excruciating and dangerous; 

 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 inter- 

 ruptions ; 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 general mortification Avhich 

 ensues and corrupts the whole body. 



The usual motion of the rattlesnake is with its head to the ground. 

 When, however, it is alarmed, it coils its body into a circle, with its head 

 erect, and its eyes flaming in a terrific manner. But it cannot pursue rapid- 

 ly, and has no power of springing on its enemy. 



Rattlesnakes are viviparous, producing their young, generally about twelve 

 in number, in the month of June, and by September these acquire the length 

 of twelve inches. It has been well attested that they adopt the same mode 

 of preserving their young from danger as that attributed to the common 

 viper, receiving them into their mouth and swallowing them. It is believed 

 by some naturalists to have the power of fascinating its prey by gazing at it, so 

 as to render it incapable of flight; but others are doubtful as to this being a 

 fact. The probability seems to be, that the victim is prevented from escap- 

 ing merely by the extreme terror which its formidable enemy inspires. 



THE COBRA DE CAPELLO, OR HOODED 

 SERPENT,! 



Inflicts the most deadly and incurable wounds. Of this formidable crea- 

 ture there are five or six different kinds; but they are all equally dangerous, 

 and their bite is followed by speedy and certain death. It is from three to 

 eight feet long, with two large fangs hanging out of the upper jaw. It has 

 a broad neck, and a mark of dark brown on the forehead ; which, when view- 



^Naia vul^ark, Lin. The genus Naiahas plates larger on the body near the hrad; the 

 head covered with large plates, and hind heaa furnishecl with a hood; poisonous fangs ia 

 the upper jaw. 



89 



