UNITED STATES. 



rally attributed to it, viz. of fascination^ For ^ 

 long time the opinion was so commonly entertained, 

 as not to admit of a doubt, but at length, Dr. J. E« 

 Smith expressed his apprehensions respecting the 

 accuracy of the report, and shice that time, the subject 

 has been extensively treated by professor Blum en- 

 bach of Goettingen, and Dr, Barton, the former in 

 support of the opinion, and the latter in opposition 

 to if. A short review shall be given of the argu- 

 iTients on both sides. The opinion of the fascinating 

 power of the rattle-snake, and other serpents of 

 America is certainly very ancient ; but if the anti- 

 quity of the belief was the only ground upon which 

 it could rest, it would deserve very little attention,, 

 for the world, at various times^ has been deluded 

 with opinions, which subsequent experience, inves- 

 ligation, or reasoning have clearly disproved. 



Various theories of the mode in which fascination 

 is effected, have been given. La Cepede supposes, 

 that it is either by the pestilential breath of the ser- 

 pent, or noxious effluvia exhaling from his body, 

 ^vhich by agitating the animals which it means to 

 devour, may prevent their escape. But this cannot 

 be the cause, for it is known from the testimony of 

 Mr. Beauvois who expressly directed his attention 

 to this point, that no foetid smell was perceived from 

 eight living rattle-snakes confined in a box about 18 

 inches square, and not opened for three ■ weeks. * 

 Another theory of the same author, is that in cases 

 of supposed fascination, the animals thought to be 

 fascinated, have been previously bitten by the ser** 



