RATTLE SNAKE. 
IHIS very formidable and poisonous reptile, 
the Caudisonant of Linnaeus, is a native of 
America, being wholly unknown in every other 
part of the world. It is the largest serpent 
that exists in North America ; and was for- 
merly, at the first settling of Georgia, fre- 
quently seen from seven to ten feet long, and 
sometimes eis^ht inches in diameter. None 
so tremendous^ however, have for many years 
been met with ; the usual size being from four 
to six feet in length, and about six inches ia 
circumference. 
The Rattle Snake is considered as a superior 
species of viper: like that reptile, it has a 
large head, and a small neck ; it's colours arc 
dusky ; and it's fangs inflldl the most terrible 
wounds. It differs, however, in having a 
large sc^ fiendulous over each eye ;. and the 
eye, which is small, is also furnished with a 
ni(Sl:itating membrane, that preserves it from 
liust. The scales are rather hard ; and usually 
of 
