354 STRIPED RATTLE-SNAKE. 



the stripes growing somewhat less distinct as they 

 descend on the sides, where they are continued 

 into a less perfect repetition of the dorsal pattern : 

 the neck is marked by a longitudinal streak on 

 each side, and the under parts of the body re- 

 semble in colour those of the former species, being 

 of Si dusky yellowish brown, with numerous small 

 dark spots and patches. The size and general 

 proportions of the animal resemble those of the 

 former, with which indeed it appears to have been 

 very frequently confounded. It is also a native 

 of the same parts of America, but seems to have 

 been unknown to Catesby, who has not intro- 

 duced it into his History of Carolina. Its bite, 

 so far as can be ascertained by experiments made 

 with such specimens as have been transported into 

 Europe, appears to be equally fatal ^ with that of 

 the former species. 



* In the spring of the present year a Rattle-Snake of this spe- 

 cies, which had been kept many months in confinement, bit a 

 healthy half-grown Rabbet, which was placed in its cage, on the 

 loins : the Rabbet instantly fell down ; became quite paralytic 

 in the hind limbs, and soon afterwards in the fore also, and died 

 in the space of twenty-five minutest from the bite, without any 

 convulsive motions. 



-f According to the observations of Sir Thomas CuUum, bart. in wiiose presence 

 t^e experiment was made. 



