NORTH AMERICA. 



Ill 



of driving away tli» alligators from the cattle; and you may then see men, mules, and those monsters 

 all swimming together, the men striking the alligators, that would otherwise attack the cattle, of 

 which they are very fond, and the latter hurrying towards the opposite shores, to escape their power- 

 ful enemies. They will swim swiftly after a dug, or a deer, or a horse, before attempting the 

 destruction of a man, of whom I have always remarked they were afraid, if the man feared not them." 



The Rattlesnake is found in all parts of our country, but in the Southern States it grows 

 lo a larger size, and is more active and venomous. There appear to be several vari- 

 eties, some of v.hich are as large as 



feet 



a man's leg, and six or seven 

 length. In its native haunts it moves 

 along most majestically ; neither seeking 

 to olfend the larger anim.als nor fearing 

 their insults. If unprovoked it never 

 meddles with any thing but its natural 

 prey ; but when accidentally trodden upon, 

 or pursued to be destroyed, it then 

 makes a dreadful and desperate defence. 

 It erects itself upon its tail, throws back 

 its head, and inflicts ihe wound in a 

 moment ; it then parts and inflicts a 

 second wound ; after \shich, we are told 

 by some, that it remains torpid and inac- 

 Ratilcsnakcs. tive, without even attempting to escape. 



The very instant the wound is inflicted, though smah in itself, it appears more painful than 

 the sting of a bee. This pain, which is so suddenly felt, far from abating, grows every momen*. 

 more excruciating and dangerous ; the limb swells, the venom reaches the head, which is zoo^ 

 of a monstrous size ; the eyes are red and fiery ; the heart beats quick, with frequent interrup- 

 tions ; the pain becomes insupportaljle, and some expire under it in five or six hours ; but 

 others, who are of stronger constitutions, survive the agony for a few hours longer, only to 

 sink under a general mortification which ensues r.nd corrupts the whole body. 



The usual motion of the Rattlesnake is with its head to the ground. When, however, it is 

 alarmed, it coils its body into a circle, v/ith its head erect, and its eyes flaming in a terrific 

 manner. But it cannot pursue rapidly, and has no power of springing on its enemy. 



Of the JMoccaxin Snake there are three or four varieties, bearing a general resemblance in 

 size and color to the rattlesnake. Some of them inhabit the uplands, and others live around 

 the water and in marshy places. They are indolent animals, neither flying nor pursuing man. 

 In point of venom, this snake is classed with the rattlesnake. The Negroes of the rice plantations 

 are obliged to take precautions against it, but it is said never to bite at night, and the sportsmen, 

 who go in pursuit of ducks and other birds, walk through the marshes at that time without fear. 



are almost the only 



To the first belong the 



The Copper Head Snake of the Southern States, and the Elaps fulvivs 

 venomous snakes of North America, beside those above-named. 



12. Indians. The natives of America consist of two distinct races 

 Esquimaux, who inhabit Greenland, Labrador, the shores of Hudson's Bay, and the Arctic Ocean. 



Although known under diflerent 

 names, and spread over a wide 

 extent of country, they all speak 

 the same language, and, like the 

 Malays of the eastern continent, 

 they live only along the sea coast. 

 They are of a smaller stature than 

 the other Americati aborigines, 

 and are more lively and loqua- 

 cious ; their hair is straight and 

 black, but their skin is white. 

 They are ignorant, superstitious, 

 and extremely filthy ; living in a 

 region where the soil is frozen 

 during nine montlis in a year, they 

 cannot relv upnn tlie vesretaol 



Tnrlinn Tent 



