CENCHRIS MOCKESON. 107 



spots. The under part of the animal is yellowish-white marked 

 with dark spots of middling size ; it is furnished with three double 

 scales under the base of the tail, and with a large round scale upon 

 the anterior border of the anus. On each side of the upper jaw 

 is a long slender fang, covered by a sort of prepuce or sheath. 



The Mockeson, or as it is sometimes called the Copper-head 

 Snake, is found in various parts of the new world, where it inha- 

 bits the forests, especially on the borders of lakes, and on the banks 

 of rivers. Our specimen was taken near the Alabama, a large 

 river in the southern part of North America, which empties itself 

 into the Gulf of Mexico. It is a tolerably large species, measuring 

 two feet ten inches in length, and is said to be nearly as poisonous 

 as the Rattle -snake. 



Amongst the numerous remedies that have been proposed as 

 specifics for the bite of this and other poisonous reptiles, perhaps 

 the most celebrated is the Gvaco, a plant which grows in several 

 parts of America, and first described by MM. Humboldt and Bon- 

 pland* under the name of Mikania guaco. As a preventive against 

 the attacks of venomous serpents, which abound in every part of 

 that vast continent, the natives are said to innoculate themselves 

 with the juice of this plant. When the bite has been inflicted, 

 they apply the leaves of the guaco. chewed and mixed with the 

 saliva, upon the wound, and at the same time take the juice of the 

 plant internally, with complete success. Dr. Hancock, however, 

 who resided more than twenty years in various parts of South 

 America, and who had ample opportunities of witnessing the effects 

 and treatment of the bites of poisonous serpents, assures us that 

 amongst thousands of reputed antidotes, there are absolutely none 

 to be depended on as preventive except suction and scarifying ; and 

 for obviating the effects of their absorption, opium, and the class 

 of warm stimulants and diaphoretics. Unfortunately, a supersti- 

 tious dread prevails against the only certain remedy, not only 

 amongst the natives, but Europeans also, from the fear of imbibing 

 the poison by the mouth, and that, too, even amongst many of 

 the faculty. 



PUuitc.t Eijuinoxiales, ii. p. 84, t. 105. 



