104 



the creature is in motion, that its approach may be 

 known, and danger avoided. Many naturalists are of 

 opinion, that this Snake acquires an additional bone 

 to the rattle every year ; from the number of v^hich 

 bones, the precise age of the Snake may be known. 

 Catesby, in his History of Carolina, says, " the 

 *' Rattle Snake is the most inactive and sluggish of 

 " animals, and is never the aggressor, except upon 

 " what he preys; for unless disturbed he never bites, 

 ** and when provoked gives warning by shaking 

 " his rattles, so that a person has time to es- 

 *' cape." It is said that this Snake has the power 

 of charming or fascinating small animals within 

 reach, which it devours. Squirrels and birds are its 

 principal prey, and no sooner do they spy the Snake 

 than they skip from bough to bough, and approach 

 by degrees nearer to the enemy, regardless of any 

 danger, until they enter the extended jaws that are 

 open to seal their ruin. Bartram observes, that some 

 Indian nations never kill the Rattle Snake, or any 

 other species, alleging as their motive, that it 

 would influence its living kindred to revenge the inju- 

 ry or violence done to it when alive. The flesh of 

 the Rattle Snake is said to be much relished, even 

 by Europeans. 



Spectacle Snake, or Cohra de Capello (Coluber 

 Naja). 



The Coluber Naja, or Cobra de Capello, is a na- 

 tive of India, where it appears to be one of the most 

 common, as well as the most noxious of the serpent 

 tribe ; very frequently proving fatal in the space of a 

 few minutes to those who unfortunately experience 

 its bite. In India it is exhibited as a shew, and is of 

 course more universally known in that country than 

 almost any other of the race of reptiles. It is carried 



