BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
21 
in the investigations on rattlesnake poison which were still 
being continued under Dr. Mitchell’s direction. 
“The next step in the process was by all means the most 
difficult. A smooth glass tube from one quarter to one half 
inch in diameter was thrust down the snake’s throat. The 
assistant who was holding the snake by the noose was obliged 
to loosen the strap sufficiently to permit the tube to be inserted. 
Finely chopped beef was then rammed down the glass tube 
with a small stick until some ounces of beef had been used in 
this way. This was the only means to keep rattlesnakes, cop¬ 
perheads, or the poisonous Mexican lizards in captivity, for they 
would refuse even live food. Rattlesnakes would live many 
months without food, but would eventually die of starvation 
unless this method was resorted to. 
“They were fed every two weeks or later according to cir¬ 
cumstances. On one occasion, Mr. Thompson took out of the 
cage eight or nine rattlesnakes, and let them crawl over the 
floor of the room where we were. They made no effort to mo¬ 
lest us, but the sensation was rather strange, feeling that so 
many poisonous snakes were close at hand. 
“In order to overcome a natural repugnance I had for 
snakes, at Thompson’s suggestion I used to pick up and handle 
the king snakes of Carolina. They were really beautiful crea¬ 
tures, but their cold slippery surface and constricting propen¬ 
sities, for they would twist themselves around my arms, and 
only by striking them along the back by the percussion of 
my hand could I loosen them, only intensified my repug¬ 
nance.” 
Two further isolated “Scientific Notes” which she left in 
manuscript may be pieced together and afford a glimpse of 
her activities during that memorable year. She says: — 
“A portion of 1886 was spent by me working in the labora¬ 
tory over an interesting bark called Chichipate. This plant 
contained a class of compounds which I had not found before 
in any plant. On analysis they were proved to be solid hydro¬ 
carbons, also from the same plant was isolated a yellow dye 
substance which gave a good and permanent color on wool 
and cotton fabrics. 
