/ 



318 BANDED RATTLE-SNAKE. 



fatal nature, furnished, as if by a peculiar institu- 

 tion of Providence, with an instrument capable, 

 in general, of warning mankind of their danger 

 in too near an approach. 



The different species of Rattle-Snakes seem to 

 have been generally confounded with each other ; 

 and even Catesby, who travelled in those parts of 

 North America where it is found, seems to have 

 been unacquainted with one of the most remark- 

 able species, and to have particularly described 

 the Banded Rattle-Snake only, which he has also 

 figured with sufficient clearness to prevent its 

 being confounded with any other kind, though 

 not with that minute attention to all the particu- 

 lars which the more improved state of Natural 

 History at present demands. 



This species is found, in general, from three to 

 four or five feet in length, and is of a yellowish 

 brown colour, marked throughout its whole lepgth 

 with several transverse and somcAvhat irregular 

 fasciai of deep brown, and from the head to some 

 distance down the neck run two or three longitu- 

 dinal stripes of the same colour; the head is large, 

 flat, and covered with small scales ; the rest of the 

 upper parts with moderately large oval ones, all 

 strongly carinated or furnished with a prominent 

 line down the middle : the under parts are of a 

 dingy yellowish brown colour, marked here and 

 there with numerous dusky variegations and 

 freckles : at the extremity of the tail is situated 

 the rattle, consisting of several hard, dry, horny 

 processes, the pecuhar structure of which will be 



