52 SNAKE. 



Place. Inhabits Carolina: fwims well, and is very dexterous in catching 



fifh. During fummer, numbers of them are often feen hanging in the 

 boughs of trees over the rivers, watching the approach of fifh or fowl, 

 and frequently drop into boats pafTing beneath. They plunge on their 

 prey, and purfue it with great fwiftnefs ; and, as foon as they catch it, 

 fwim afhore to devour it : are called the Water RattlefnakeSy and are 

 fuppofed to be as fatal in their bite. The little horn at the tail gives it 

 a dreadful name, as if armed with death at both extremities. The 

 fuperftitious believe, that by a jerk of that part it can mortally wound 

 any animal> and even caufe a tree to wither by transfixing the 

 bark. 



Black. Catejly, il. 48. — Coluber conftriftor, Lhi. 385. — Lazvfo)i, 132. — Kalin, ii. 202. 



CN. Wholly of a fhining black ; it grows fometimes to the length of 

 •^ fix feet. 



It is not only perfedlly harmlefs, but extremely ufeful in clearing 

 the houfes of rats, which it purfues with wonderful agility to the very 

 roofs, and all parts of barns and outhoufes, for which good fervices it 

 is cherifhed by the generality of Americans. It is alfo faid, that it will 

 deftroy the Rattlefnake, by twifling round it, and whipping it to death. 

 In the time of copulation it is extremely bold and fierce, and will at- 

 tack mankind ; but its bite has no more efTedt than a fcratch with a pin. 

 It is fo fwift that there is no efcaping its purfuit. Many ridiculous 

 frights have happened from this innocent reptile. As every one in 

 America is full of the dread of the Rattlefnake, they are apt to fly at 

 the fight of any of the ferpent kind. This purfues, foon overtakes, and 

 by twitting round the legs of the fugitive, foon brings him to the 

 ground : but he happily receives no hurt, but what may refult from 

 this fright : all the mifchief this fpecies does is to the houfewives, for 

 jt will fkim their milk-pans of the cream, and rob their hen-roofts of 

 a]l the eggs. 



Coach- 



