MOUNTAINS, 
203 
them with the greatest avidity, totally regard¬ 
less of their bites. It is supposed that the great 
quantity of fat with which they are furnished, 
prevents the poison from operating on their 
bodies as on those of other animals. Hog s 
lard, it might therefore reasonably be con¬ 
jectured, would be a good remedy for the bite 
of a snake : however, I never heard of its being 
tried; the people generally apply herbs to the 
wound, the specific qualities . of which are 
well known. It is a remarkable instance of 
the bounty of Providence, that in all those 
parts of the country where these venomous 
reptiles abound, those herbs which are the 
most certain antidote to the poison are found 
in the greatest plenty. 
The South-west Mountains run nearly pa¬ 
rallel to the Blue Ridge, and are the first 
which you come to on going up the country 
from the sea-coast in Virginia. These moun¬ 
tains are not lofty, and ought indeed rather 
to be called hills than mountains; they are 
not seen till you come within a very few miles 
of them, and the ascent is so gradual, that 
you get upon their top almost without per¬ 
ceiving it. 
The soil here changes to a deep argillaceous 
earth, particularly well suited to the cul¬ 
ture of small grain and clover, and produces 
abundant crops. As this earth, however, does 
