258 Say on Herpelology. 



termination of the tail a scale somewhat longer and more in- 

 durated than the others, the individual had not attained his 

 full growth. If then this species (and some others) is subject 

 to vary in the form of its caudal plates, from which the generic 

 characters are in part estimated, may it not also vary in the 

 armature of the tail, which at most can only be considered as 

 specific. The Copper-belly is a very distinct species. If the 

 S. cupreus is, notwithstanding the above observations, consider- 

 ed a distinct species, it would gratify those who cultivate natu- 

 ral history, to have some good discriminative characters of it. 



Much has been said and written about antidotes to the 

 venomous bites of snakes, and Mr. Rafinesque enumerates over 

 again several plants which have been said to be, and which he 

 appears to believe to be specifics. If the case was my own, I 

 would be very unwilling to rely upon either of the 20 or 30 me- 

 dicinal plants, dubiously mentioned by the late Professor Barton, 

 as reputed antidotes for this poison. It would be more prudent 

 to resort unhesitatingly to a more certain remedy, in the liga- 

 ture, and immediate excision of the part, where such an ope- 

 ration was practicable, or to cauterization, if the part could not 

 be removed by the knife. 



In conversation with Professor Cooper upon this subject, 

 he informed me that in his domestic medical practice he ap- 

 plied common chalk to the wounds occasioned by the stings 

 of hymenopterous insects. That in consequence of this mode 

 of treatment, the pain was immediately allayed, and the con- 

 sequent inflammation and intumescence were prevented. 

 The experiment which led to this result was induced by the 

 supposition that the venomous liquid might be an acid, which 

 opinion was, in some degree, justified by the event.* Upon the 

 same neutralizing principle it must be supposed that any alkali 

 would be beneficial. The learned Professor supposed, that 

 the venom of the poisonous reptiha may, in like manner, be 

 an acid secretion, and recommends this to be ascertained by 

 experiments upon the liquid itself. 



If this inference proves correct, the same alkaline remedy 

 may be employed to neutrahze, or so modified as to stimulate, 



* I have been since informed by Mr. Lesueur, that to his taste the poison was 



hitter. ' 



i 



