hORtH AMERICA. 
*93 
to gam their affedlions and friendfhip in matters of 
trade and commerce ; and if their love and efteerq# 
for each other is fincere, and upon principles of re- 
ciprocity, there are but few inftances of their neg- 
lefling or betraying the interefts and views pf their 
temporary hufbands ; they labour and watch con- 
ftantly to promote their private interells, and de- 
led: and prevent any plots or evil defigns which may 
threaten their perfons, or operate againft their trade 
dr bufmefs. 
In the cool of the evening 1 embraced the oppor- 
tunity of making a folitary excurfion round the ad- 
jacent lawns* Taking m fuzee with me, I foon 
came up to a little clump of fhrubs, upon a fwelU 
ing green knoll, where I obferved feveral large 
fnakes entwined together. I hepped up near them $ 
they appeared to be innocent and peaceable, having 
ho inclination to ftrike at any thing, though I en- 
deavoured to iiricate them, in order to difeover 
their difpofition ; nor were they anxious to efcape 
from me. Thisfnake is about four feet in length, 
and as thick as a man’s wrift ; the upper fide of a 
dirty afh colour 5 the fquamae large, ridged, and 
pointed > the belly or under fide of a reddilh dull 
fielh colour ; the tail part not long, but Header, like 
mo ft other innocent fnakes. They prey on rats, 
land frogs, young rabbits, birds, &c. I left them, 
continuing my progrefs and refearches, delighted 
with the ample profpefts around and over the fa- 
vanna* 
Stopping again at a natural ftirubbery, on turn- 
ing my eyes to fome flowering fhrubs, I obferved 
near my feet the furprifmg glafs fnake (anguis 
fragilis). It feems as innocent and harmlefs as 
a worm. It is, when full grown, two feet and 
O an 
