The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent. (Port Gibson, Claiborne Co., Miss.) 1848-18??, 1851-08-22
Curious Experiment on Rattlesnake

The following curious facts respecting the
rattlesnake are from aletter of Judge Samuel
Woodruff, to Professor Silliman, in number
of the American Journal of Science.
Duling the summer months of 1901, resided
in the north eastern 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 of
fensiYe to the rattle snake. Several persons
of responsibility assured me that the rattle
snake was never found on land where the
white ash grows, that it was the uniform prac-
tice among hunters, as well as others, whose
business led them to traverse the woods in the
summer months, to stuff their shoes and boots,
and frequently their pockets also, with white
ash leaves, as preventive of the bite Of the
rattle snake, and that they had never known
or heard of any person being bitten who had
used this precaution.
Some time in the month of August, went
with Mr. T. Kirkland, and DR.. G. Dutton, then
residing at Poland, to the Mahoning, for the
purpose of shooting deer, at place where they
were in the habit of coming into 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, fifteen or twenty
yards from the edge of the water. About an
hour after we commenced our watch, instead
of deer, we discovered large rattle snake,
which, as itappeared, had left his den, in the
rocks beneath US, and was slowly advancing
across smoth, narrow sand beach towards the
water. Upon hearing our voices, or for some
other cause, he stopped and lay stretched out
with his head near the water. 1t occurred to
me, that an opportunity now offered to try
the virtues of the white ash leaves. Request
/ ing the gentlemen TO keep, in my absen1e, a
watch over our object, went inlmedIately IN
4aareh of the Ieayes. and on piece of low
ground thirty or forty rods back from the river
| soon found, and by the aid of my hunting
knife, procured small white ash sapling eight
or ten feet in length, and with view to make
the experiment more satisfactory, cut anoth-
er sapliDg of the sugar maple, and with these
scqnds returned to the scene Of action. In or
der to cut off retreat to his den, approached
the snake in his rear As soon as | came
within about seven or eight feet of him, he
quickly threw his body into a coil, elevated
his head eight or ten inches, and brandishine
his tongue, "gave note of preparation" for com,
bat. | FIRST presented him the white ash, pla-
eing the leaves upon his body. He instantly
dropped his head to the ground, unfolded his
coil, rolled over upon his back, writhed and
twisted his whole body into every form bui
that of coil, and appearing to be in great an.
/ guish. Satisfied with the trial thus far made
/ laid by the white ash. The rattle snake I'M
mediately righted, and placed himself in the
same menaeing attitude as before described
| now presented him the sugar maple. He
/ lanced in moment, striking his head into q
tuft of the leaves, with all the malice of the
under fiends," and the next moment coiled
and lanced again, darting his whole length al
each effort with the swiftness of an arrow
After repeating this several times, again
changed his fare, ard presented him the white
ash. He Immediately dolsed has peak, stretch,
ed himself out on his back, writhed his body ir
the same manner as at the first application
1t was then proposed to try what effect might
be produced upon his temper and courage by 3
little foggiDg with the white ash. This was
administered. But instead of arousing him to
resentment, it served only to increase his trou.
bles. As the fogging grew more severe
the snake frequently stuck his head into the
sand as far as he could thrust it, seeming de.
sirous TO bore his way into the earth and rid
/ himself of his unwelcome visitors.
Being now convinced that the experiment
was satisfactory one, and fairly conducted or
both sides, we deemed it ungenerous TO take
his life after be had contributed so much to
crafty our curiosity; and SO we took our leave
of the rattle snake, with feelings as friendly
at least as those with which we commenced
our acquaintance with him, and left him tc
return at leisure to his den.