Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-04-02

the appendices OF the Thermo- ~muldplier. which in the
present instance, were two equal cylinders. BY this
means, the radiation towards the ice being the same on
both sides, the needle assumed The place of zero on the
scale. We then presented the heated bali at a little dis
lance from the upper layer OF ice: the needle experienced
no alteration in its POSITION
This is a wonderful provision of nature. Water, either
nquld or solid, only iinpArts its caloric TO colder substances
that come in contact, and radiatcs il not, like other bodies.
through the atmosphere. Hence streams, and pools. and
lakes, remaining longer unirozen; and hence the fresh
ness, with which many plants comparatively tender come
from under the snow after a long and severe winter.
ID. I.
CURIOUS EXPERIMENT ON a RArrLEsNAxE-
The following curious facts respecting The rattlesnake, arc
from a letter OF Judge Samuel Woodruff to Professor Sill
Imam, in the last number OF the American Journal of
Science
During the summer months of 1901, | resided in the
north .easIernn'ost part OF the State OF Ohio.-Rattle-
snakes were then very numerous in that region. | found
the opinion universally prevalent among the inhabitants
there, that the leaves OF the white ash were highly offensive
TO the rattlesnike. Several persons OF respectabihty as.
snred me that the rattlesnakc was never found on land
where the white ash grows; that it was the uniform prac-
tee among hunters, as well as others whose business led
them TO traverse the woods in the summer months 10 stuff
their shoes and boots, and frequently their pockets also,
with white ash leaves, as a preventive of the bite of the
raitlcsnake, and that they had never known or heard of
any person being bitten who used this prec1uion.
Sometime in the month of August | went with Mr.. I.
hirtIand, and DIR. {. Button, then residing at Poland, to
The Mahoning, Tor the purpose OF shooting deer, at a place
where they were in the habit OF coming to the river, TO
feed on the moss attached to the stones in the shoal water.
We took our watch station on an elevated part OF the bank,
10 or 20 yards from the edge of the water. About an hour
alter ne commenced our watch, instead OF deer, we Disco
vered a large rattle snake which, as it appeared had left
ms den IN the rocks beneath us, and was slowly alvanc-
ing across a SMOOTH narrow SAND peach towards the wa
ter. Upon hearing our voices, or for some other cause,
he stopped, and lay stretched out with his head near the
water 1t occurred TO inc that an opportunity now ofFtfed
10 try the virtues OF the white ash leaves. Requesting
tue gentlemen to keep in my absence, a watch over
our object, | went Immediately IN search ofthe leaves, and
on a piece OF low ground 30 or 40 rods back from the river,
| soon found, aud by the aid Of my hunting knife, pro-
cured a small white ash sapling s or 10 feet i'm length. and
with n view To- make the q \ 2prlmpnt tunra catisfcton, \
cut another sapling of the sugar maple, aud with these
'odnds returned to the scene OF action. In order TO cut oft
a retreat TO his den, | approached the snake in his rear.
AS soon as came within about eight or ten feet, he quick
ly threw his body into a coil, elevated his head eight or ten
inches, and brandishing his tongue, gave note of prepare
ton Tor combat. | first presented him the white ash, plac-
ing the leaves upon his body. He instantly dropped his
head to the ground, uniolded his coil, rolled over upon his
back, writhed and twisted his whole body into every form
but that OF a coil, and appeared to be in great anguish-Sa-
lShed with the trial thus far made, | laid by the white ash.
The ratue-snake Immediately righted. aud placed himself
III the same menacing attitude as before described.
| now presented him the sugar maple. He lanced in
a moment, striking his head into a tuh of tho leaves, "witb
all the malace OF the under iiends,' and The next moment
colIed and lanced again, darling his whole length at each
effort with the swiitness OF an arrow. After repeating this
several times, L again changed his fare, and presented
him The white ash. lie Immediately dOuSed his peuk,
stretched himself Oh his back, and writhed his body in the
same manner as at the first application. 1t was then pro-
posed 10 try what effect might he produced upon his fem
per aud courage by a little nogging with the white ash.
This was administered. But instead OF arousing him to
resentment, il served only to increase his troubles. AS the
HpSEiHS grew more severe, the snake frequently struck his
head into the sand as far as he could thrust it, seeming
DESTROYS to bore his way into the earth and rid himself Of
his unwelcome visitors.
BEING now convinced that the experiment was a satisfoc.
tory one, and fairly conducted on both sides, we deemed
1t II! necessary to tage his lite after he had contributed so
much to graft Y our curiosity; and so we took our leave nj
The ra'tlesnake, with feelings as friendly at least as those
WIN which we commenced our acquaintance with him,
and Ieit him TO return at leisure TO his den.
ERUPTIoN OF MOUNT ErNA.-Wo have, for several
weeks pas mad vague rnmOrs of an awful eruption OF
Mount r ma, IN Sicily, but have had nothing authentic on
the subject. The following extract from a letter IRON
Messina, received by a respectable Commercial House i'm
tls CITY, may be relied on as FAR as it goes: we wish That
'he writer had entered more into the details OF this phe-
nomenon. II would be almost worth The trouble OF a vow
age across the Atlantic, to see such a ' olcano as Elna in
tull blast
"I have TO advise you, that one OF the most awful erup.
uons oil Niount l. ma, for many years. is at this moment
taking place; three new Craters have been formed; one of
which vOmits idUd, the I'd stone and sand, the 81 only
smoke; the stream Of lava is at this moment over one mile
III breadth, and about eighteen miles in exteni; the loss OF
property Is immense, as many fine vallies have been filled
ana thousands OF iruit trees destroyed, which, together
with the almost incessant ear ,hquakes which attend il,
have destroyed many villages.
"As the progress OF the lava is very slow Zone and a half
miles in twenty four hours9 ii has enabled all The inhabi-
tdnts 10 escape, and the country il filled around for miles
with the Inhabitants; and about ten thousand STRANGERS vbo
have come to witt the Mountain, living under tents,
which, at this inclement season, rendered more bv this
eruption, which always causes very bad weather, creates
a great deal OF suffering, added to which, the naturally moor
condition oil the inhabitants, and scarcity of food, is really
distressing. Should it not soon cease, the fine village of
Bronte, celebrated for its good white wine, and rs being
the estate with d title, conferred on Lord Nelson, after one
OF his great naval victories, Oy the King of Naples) must
Ian a prey to IT., the lava being only a few miles from il.
It's seventy miles from this place TO the Mountain. hui ali
who have witnessed the eruption, represent ii to be a most
magnificent, yet awful spectacle. The stream had col
lectcd about 90 feet high al the last dates, and il was mo-
mentarily expected to launch forward. IL is in this way
that IT descends, not as a stream of water, but it continues
to form an immense precipice, ill the top overbdlances
The bottom, then 1t slides forward for a mile or perhaps
more, and then does not again move forward till another
preciPioe Is tormed."-BOStOH CeHtiHeL