Litchfield enquirer., 1835-12-31
An.ipasas Of Il. Rattle Sake 10 White Ash,

Antipasltq Of ths Rattle Snake TO White Ash.
A wsiftr ia Silliman's Scientific Journal
gives an account OF an interesting experiment
made upon the body Of large rattle. snake. ~
few years since, IN the northern part ct the
State 1T Ohio. The experiment which we
are about TO relate was made about thirty
years sge By Judge W00dru6, In order To
iest The accuracy &c prevailing notion a.
.niour the people. that the leaves of the white
ash were highly offensive to the rattle-snske.
and that this horrible reptile was never found
ON land where the white ash grows. Its the
tnifofn practice among the hunters who
traverse forests in the summer, TO sfuR their
boots and shoes and pockets with white ash
leaves, fur the purpose Of securing themselves
against the bite Of the rattle. snake and it is
said that no person was ever bitten who had
JresOrted % this precalti0n.
The accounts given BY Judge Woodruff
mention that he was one cf' . smsIl party
who went tofhe Mahoning river for the pur-
pose Of hunting dear. The party took their
station on an elevated spot fifteen or twenty
feet from the waters edge. Here the men
WEIGHED for their wished for game about an
hoar; but instead Of astiarsless aud hes.sti-
'ful deer, they saw a large rattle-snake which
had crawIed out from among the rocks be-
meath them and was slowly making his way
across narrow smooth sand. beach towards
the river. Upon hearing the voices Of the
roea, the snake halted and lay stretched out
with bis head near the water. Nwas now
determined to nv the white ash leaves. Ac-
eordinely search was made. and q small white
asll sappling, eight or ten feet long, was pro-.
cured, and with a view to make the expert
naent more satisfactory, smother ssappling Of
she snakes retreat to his den, the Judge APP.
psoached him n the rear, and when be had
advanced within almost eight feet OF him, the
snake csiled mp his; hsidy, elevated his head
several inches, 6randishiag his tongue. and
thus signiGed bic readiness orshattie.
The Judge then presented his white ash
wand. nlacinK the leaves upon the body OF the
snake. The snake Instantly dropped his head
upon the ground, unG0l6ed his coil. rolled
over upon Biz back. twitched aud twisted his
whole body il every form but that Of q coil
and gave signs Of heing IN great agony. The
white ssh was than laid BY, upon which the
snake immediately placed himself in coil.
and assumed The attitude of defence "a. bes
fore. The sugar maple stick was next used
9he snake darted forward u a twinkhng.
tl,r,st liz head into the leaves . with all the
malice of the under hends,' aad7th negf mo-
r,ent cooled and lanced again, darling his
whole length with the swiftness Df an arrow.
After repeating, this several times. says the
I lodge, Ichanged his fare. and presented him
with The white ASH, He Immediately doused
his peak. stretched himself % his back, and
writhed his body in the same manner rs on
the first application. il was then proposed
10 try what effect might be produced itiponl
lilS fesnpef and courage BY iistie begging
with the white ash. This Was administered;
HOT lnsssad sf rousinU him to resentment pro-
we'd only 10 Increase his troubles. Asihe dog
xipg grew. more severe. the snake frequently
sfuck his head into the sand % far ne he cOuld
thrust IL. seenled desir0Os 10 bore his way in-s
II she easlh. apd rid himself Of his unysei-
come visitors, Being Qow convinced that