Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1828-04-23

hlll8 SIdhSs uiSSlilB SAldhts MtitSi ~-Pf ~ 4
per head, moccasin snake, and horn
snake. One variety of rattle snake Is
yellow, and is said TO inhabit the same bur
rows with the prairie dog. The copper
head is a terrible serpent, and is deemed
to infflict more dangerous bite than the
rattle snake. The kissing snake Kisses
like a goose. 1--WE confined one" says
Mr. F. ''with a stick across his back, and !
it Instantly bit itself, and soon became
swollen and died" The horn snake has
a thorn in its tail resemblig that of a dung
hill cock. Wherever the population be-
comes dense the swine prey upon these
terrible reptiles, and they quickly disap-
pear. Their resorts are near the basis of
rocky hills, and near vast swamps. Peo-
pie are often bit by them, and the person
thot is badly bitten, swells and soon be-
comes blind. The bite is seldom fatal
Mr.. F. says he has seen great numbers
that have been bitten, but has never seen
a fatal case. He describes, however,
most tragical occurrence, more horrible in
the relation than the ancient fiction of Lao
coon. Hampshire Gazette
An emigrant family Inadvertently fixed
their cabin on the shelving declivity of a
ledge, that proved den of rattle snakes.
Warmed by the first fire on the hearth of
the cabin, the terrible reptiles issued in
numbers and of course in rage, by night
into the room where the whole family slept.
As happened in this case, some slep; on
the floor, and some in beds. The reptiles
spread in every part of the room, and
mounted on every bed Children were
stung in the arms of their parents. and in
each others arms. Imagination dareS not
dwell upon the horrors of such a scene.
Most of the family were bitten to death;
and those who escaped finding the whole
cabin occupied by these horrid tenants,
kissing and shaking their rattles, fled from
the house by beating off the covering of
the roof, and escaping in that direction.
The CAMELoN. There are varieties of
small Camelons. They are apparently
harmless animals; though when we have
cought them they have showed every dis
position to bite. They will change in halt
an hour to all the colors of the PRISM
Green seems TO be their favorite color, and
when on a green tree, that is their general
hue. While in this color, the under part
of their neck becomes a beautiful scarlet
Their throat swells, and they emit a SHARP
note, like that of one of the large kinds o.
grasshoppers, when singing. We have
placed them on handkerchief, and they
have gradually assumed all its colors.--
Placed on a black surface they become
brown; but they evidently suffer, while I'M
der this color, as is manifested by uneasy
movements, and by strong and quick pal
pitations, visible to the eye. They are
very active and nimble animals, three Oh
four inches in length.
! ALLIGATOR. The Alligator is the mos
terrible animal of this class. Vast mum
bers are seen in the streams and shallow
lakes of Florida and Alabama; but they
abound most on Red river, the Mississippi
lakes, and the bayous west of that river
On these sleeping waters, the cry of [;
sucking pig on the bank will draw shoa
of them from their muddy retreats at tn,
bottom. The largest alligator, that W,
g ever saw killed in these regions, measured
something more than sixteen feet from it
snout to the extremity of its tail. The,
have at times, especially before storm,
weather, singular roar or below. Whel
moving about on their customary vocation
in the water, they seem like old logs in mo
ton. In fine weather, they doze in list
lessness on the sand bars. Such is thei
recklessness, that they allow the people il
the passing steam boats to come within
few PAGES ofthem. The ascent Of steam
boat on an alligator stream at the prope
season for them, is a continual discharg
of rifles at them. A rifle ball will glanc
from their bodies, unless they are hit in
particular direction and place. We wit
messed the shots of man, who killed then
nine fires out often. They have large iyo
nv teeth, which contain cavity sufficient
ly large to hold a musket charge of powder
for which purpose they are commonly use
by sportsmen. The animal. when slain
emits an intolerabIe smell of musk; and
is ascertained that its head contains
quantity of that drug. They will some
times chase children, and would overtak
them, were it not for their inability to max
lateral movements. Having few joints il
their body, and very short legs. they can
not turn from straight forward direction
Consequently, they who understand thei
movements, avoid them without difficulty
by turning off at right angles, and leaving