REPTILIA—HOOD&D SERPENT 705 
The very instant the wound 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 which 
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. 
PH E CO BR MDa CAPE IehtO.) OR HOODED 
SERPENT,! 
{nFLicts 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- 

1Naia vulgaris, Lix. The genus Naiahas plates jprgpE Oe the body near the head; the 
head covered with large plates, and hind head furnished with a hood; poisonous fangs in 
tne upper Jaw. 
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