348 CLASS REPTILIA. 



guishable into several smaller kidneysj to the number of fif- 

 teen ; all so curiously contrived, with such an elegant com- 

 pages of blood-vessels and tubes, as to compose so many 

 regularly formed bodies, which could not be viewed without 

 admiration." 



Dr. Shaw is of opinion that the individual dissected by 

 Dr. Tyson was the crofalus durissus, and not the present 

 species. This, however, makes no difference respecting the 

 anatomical particulars which that eminently accurate ob- 

 server has transmitted to us. 



The crotalus durissus, striped rattle-snake of Shaw, inha- 

 bits the temperate countries of North America, as far as the 

 45th degree of latitude. An individual, four feet long, killed 

 by Mr. Bosc, had in its stomach a hare of the species lepus 

 Americanus. Indeed the habitual aliment of this reptile 

 consists of small rodentia, such as rats, mice, squirrels, &c. 



This serpent traverses with ease rivers and lakes, by 

 swimming, swelling out its body like a bladder ; and it is 

 said that it is very dangerous to attack the durissus at such 

 times because it shoots into the boats with great facility. 



It would appear that this species and the last have been 

 many times confounded by naturalists. At all events the 

 names of each have been indiscriminately applied to either. 



Crotalus miliarius, Lin. Miliary rattle-snake, Sh., is an 

 inhabitant of Carolina. In the United States, this serpent is 

 considered as more dangerous than the durissus. Its small- 

 ness and colour prevent its being perceived. Its rattles can 

 hardly be heard, even when it is held in the hand, and one 

 is thus exposed to walk, and even to sit upon it. It is fond, 

 says M. Bosc, of remaining coiled up, on the tops of the 

 roots of large trees, or on the fallen trunks. It lives on frogs 

 and other small animals, such as grasshoppers, insects, and 

 worms. It is not easily frightened, or induced to fly ; but 

 the smallest blow of a stick is sufficient to kill it. The 



