106 [Sknate 



common in tlie hilly or rocky districts of tlie Norttiem Atlantic States : 

 extending to Florida, Alabama and Louisiana in the south ; the Red river of 

 Arkansas, and Iowa (possibly further) in the west. On the seacoast, it ap- 

 pears to be replaced by Crotalus adamant eus. It has, however, not yet been 

 detected in Texas, New-Mexico or California, where its place is supplied by 

 other species. In New-York, it seems to be most abundant on the shores 

 of Lake George and Lake Champlain ; especially in Rattlesnake mountain 

 of the former, and Rattlesnake den of the latter, a rocky bluff between 

 Westport and Essex. It is a little remarkable that the rattlesnake does not 

 occur in the Adirondack regions of New- York ; at least, an instance has 

 never come to my knowledge. Such a region in Pennsylvania would be in- 

 fested by them. 



The bite of the rattlesnake, when received in a large bloodvessel, is most 

 generally fatal ; although, fortunately, the chances are against this point of 

 attack. Various remedies have been pi'oposed : among them, the application 

 of tight ligatures between the wound and the centres of the body ; scarifica- 

 tion and suction ; application of ammonia, olive oil, and the use of large 

 doses of brandy or other spirituous liquor. All of these may be properly 

 used, and it is a singular fact that a very large dose of spirits generally fails 

 to produce intoxication. Many plants are supposed to possess remedial vir- 

 tues ; thus, a plaster of bruised leaves and stems of Impatiejis pallida or 

 fulva has a wide-spread reputation both among Indians and whites. Species 

 of plantain, Scrophularia, Scutellaria, Hieracium, etc., are also recom- 

 mended. Little or no danger is to be apprehended to the operator in sucking 

 a wound of this kind, if the mouth be sound ; repeated experiment going to 

 show that the poison is inert in the stomach. I have myself (rather foolishly, 

 I must confess) swallowed nearly the entire contents of one gland of a large 

 rattlesnake. Many persons put great faith in the application of powdered 

 indigo to the wound, as also of iodine. 



Genus CROTALOPHORUS, Gray. 



Gen. Char. Upper surface of the head covered with nine large plates, as 

 seen in Coluber and allied genera. The tail terminates in a rattle, 

 generally smaller than in Crotalus. A deep pit between the eye and 

 nostril, as in Crotalus. Subcaudal seutellffi entire, except a few at the 

 end of the tail, which are bifid. 



