ZOOLOGY. 27. 
vicinity, are poisonous. With but one exception, there is not a 
poisonous reptile known in Canada, and even this one is limited 
to a very small extent of territory. It is known as Crotalis Mas- 
sasauga, a small rattlesnake, found in the vicinity of Niagara, Ham- 
ilton, and some of the most southern portions of Lake Erie. They 
have, however, of late years, become very scarce. The average 
length of this snake is from two feet six, to three feet. 
The family Crofa/zs, comprise a great many species, and are all 
indigenous to America. They are very numerous in the Rocky 
Mountains, California, and Mexico. While collecting and pre- 
serving Natural History specimens, for the University of Ken- 
tucky, in 1866, I received a specimen of Crotalis, C. Adamenteus, 
or Diamond Rattlesnake, named from some beautiful yellow dia- 
mond markings, which commence at the head, and increase in 
size with the body, gradually diminishing towards the end of the 
tail. This snake, when received, was alive and healthy, and meas- 
ured seven feet five inches. When irritated, it threw itself into a 
coil, with its head and tail erected in the centre, and kept up a 
continuous rattle. The regent of the Institution, fearing that some 
accident might occur, thought it best to have its fangs removed. 
An apparatus was soon improvised, and after securing its head 
firmly, we commenced to probe for one of the fangs. They were 
four in number, two on each side of the upper jaw, and were folded 
down in the jaw in a small grove, similar to the closing of a jac- 
knife blade. While thus engaged, the animal became excited, erec- 
ted the fang, and began to eject poison from it, something in 
the manner of jetting liquid from a small syringe. This was caught 
ina vessel, and in color and consistency, resembled sweet oil. 
About a fluid ounce of this virus was preserved for experiments. 
It is acid to the taste, and perfectly harmless when taken into the 
mouth, and may be swallowed with impunity. It is only fatal in 
‘its effects, when coming in cuntact with the blood. When this 
occurs, the fluid portion is separated from the glutinous part, and 
coagulation takes place. Its action on the blood is similar to 
lemon juice, or strong vinegar, with fresh railk. The poison is 
generated in a ramification of small nerves, situated in the cheek, 
behind the eye, and conveyed to a small sack at the base of the 
