The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-01-08
Snakes and Snake Stories.

The rattle snake is supposed to be the most
venomous reptile in New England; but there
is snake called the water adder, which in
habits the meadows and swamps of our fresh
water ponds, the bite of which is equally poi
sonous with that of the rattle snake. This
snake seldom attains the length of more than
four feet, but in circumference is often 10 or
| inches. Its body is covered with black
spots upon dark ground, and in consequence
this formidable reptile is frequently mistaken
for the black snake. 1t is armed with fangs
like the rattle snake. but does not seem to fas-
ten them to the object of its attack in the same
mechanical manner, as, when enraged its fangs
are displayed, which is not the case with the
rattle snake. Unlike the rattle snake, it will
commence an attack, and give no warning of
the same. We know of only two instances
where persons have been bitten by this snake;
one in Ipswich, Mass. and the other in Hop
kinton, N. H. An aged gentleman, who was
well acquainted with the character of this rep.
tile, has frequently told us of both instances.
About l76S, he resided in Ipswich, and, in
company with some half dozen of his COM
panions, repaired to a pond near the field
where they were at work, for the purpose of
bathing. One of the company was negro.
The negro waded into the water before the
rest of the company had prepared for their
additions, and just as he had got beyond his
depth, an adder was discovered making for
him. The negro turned for the shore, but in
consequence of his great fear, made but little
effort. The adder came up, bit him in the
breast, and made directly for the shore, where
he was killed by our informant. The negro
died almost Immediately in the water and in
consequence of its immediate swelling, the
body was buried upon the shore of the pond.
The instance at Hopkinton was of man, who
was bitten while at work in his meadow. The
adder bit him upon his leg. Knowing the ia.
tai consequence of the bite, and being in per-
feet command of himself, he repaired to a
thicket near by, obtained withe, bound it
with all his strength about his leg above tie
knee, and almost effectually stopped the circu'
lation of the poison through the system. He
then went home, and by making certain apph-
cations recommended by an old Indian, sue
ceeded in extracting most of the poison. The
poison had so far difused itself through the
system as to bring about a state of i'll health
which at length terminated in his death.
The water adder exists at the present time
in the interior of the State, and more or less
cattle are killed by them every year. 1tmakes
noise like the squeaking of mouse; and
this fact led to display OF instinct, or knowl-
euSe, III d uoS OeloHSlIiS W iiieilu VI ouio'-
Our friend was at work in field adj dining an
extensive meadow, when his attention was at
tracted by the fierce barking of his dog. The
dog was barking and digging beside fiat rock.
From the squeaking beneath the rock, the
gentleman supposed numbers OF mice must be
there, and accordingly turned the rock over,
when, to his astonishment, large water ad-
der was displayed to view. The dog did not
wait for an attack, but seized his snakeship,
and shook the breath of life out of him; not,
however before he had received number OF
wounds from the venomous reptile. The dog
soon began to show signs of sickness, and to
swell. The gentleman attempted to call him
to him. and the dog made for the upland, and
stopped by the hole of woodchuck, where he
had been barking and digging previous to his
attack upon the snake. Here he commenced
digging, but after short time the gentleman
seeing nothing of his dog, repaired to the spot
to see what had become of him, and found
him buried almost entirely in the DIRT at the
mouth of the hole; and no entreaties could
allure the dog from his bed till cure was ct
fected. IHrIs l..
This same friend was once bitten in our
presence bv black tsnake. 1t was of that
ppoaiac col1aJ tho r;nr On al. fran the fact of