Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1852-11-25
The american Ratllesnaks.

Closely resembling the viper in appearance
and character, but growing to length of FIVE
or six feet. is the raitlesuske Of America
This reptile is one Of the most dangerous of
lis family, its bite, properly inflicted being
sure to cause the death of the la gest animal.
II is totally unknown in the old world, and is
readily distinguished by IT'S rattle, an instru-
ment situated at the tail extremity, and consis-
ting OF several horny membraneous cells,
which ratiIe upon each other when agitAted
by the animal. The rattiesnake Is of iawny
and black color above, and ash color beneath
a large protecting scale over each eve. and
long sharp pointed fangs. 1t is slow in its
motions. inactive in its habits. and not read.
iIy disturbed - features which luckily tend 10
lessen the mischief which otherwise il would
be capable Of intlictlng. The effects Of the
poison Of course depend much upon the sea-
son Of the year, the age aud strength of tho
reptile, and the part struck; hence numerous
cases are on record Of individuals recovering
in a few weeks from the bite Of a rattlesnake.
Ii is also found by experiment, thai the effect
of subsequent wounds Is greatly diminished,
either By the dlmlnutIon Of the quantity Of ye-
nom, OF by some deterioration OF its strength;
so that ifa venomous serpent be made repeat
edly 10 intiict wounds. without allowing sui
ficienily long intervals for il to recover its
powers, such Successive bite becomes less
and dangerous, E+ a Ea
~ gentleman Of my acquaintance,f says
the author of British Reptiles, chad some
years ago, received a living rattlesnake from
America. Intending TO Try tie effects Of It's
bite upon some rats, he introduced one of these
animals into the cage with the serpent; il
Immediately struck the rat, which died in two
minutes. Another rat vas then placed In tho
cage; it ran up 10 the part furthest from the
snake, uttering cries of distress. he snake
did not Immediately attack il; but after half
an hour, and Ola being irriated II struck the
rat, which did not exhibit any symptoms of
being poisoned for several minutes, and died
twenty minutes after the bite. A third and
remarkably large rat was then introduced
Ii exhibited no sign Of terror al its dangerous
companion, which on ITS part, appeared to take
no notice of the rat. After watching for the
rest Of the evening, my friend retired. leaving
the serpent and the rat together. On rising
early the next morning 10 ascertain the fate OF
his two heterogeneous prisoners, he found the
snake dead and the muscular part Of its back
eaten by the rat. / DO not remember at what
time of the year this circumstance took place.
but ] believe It was not during very hoI
weather
Contrary to this opinion of the venom los
ing its efficacy, Is the following aHecdofe mar
eaIed by an AmHrlcan writer - ..aa
"A farmer was one day moving with his
negroes, one OF whom by chance trod on
raiiesnaks that Immediately turned upon him
and bit his boot. Al night, when he went 10
bed, he was attacked with a sickness; he
sweled, and before physician could be cal
led in, he died. All his neshbors were SIR
prIsed at this sudden death, but the corpse
was inferred without examination. A few
weeks after, one Of his sons put on his faith
er's boots, and a night when he pulled them
off, he was seIzed with the same symptoms,
and died on the following morning. The doc
tor arrived, but unable 10 divine the cause of
so singular disorder, seriously pronounced
both the father and the son 10 have been be-
wi;cheG. AT the sale Of the effects, neigh
Dor purchased the boots and on putting ;hem
on. experienced .he like dreadful symptoms
with the father aad son; skiliful physician.
however, being sent fer, who had heard ofihe
preceding affair, suspected the cause and bv
applying the proper remedies, recovered the
patient. The fatal boots were now carefully
examined, and the two fangs Of the snake
were discovered 20 have been LETT in the .ath-
er with the poison bladders adhering to them.
They had penetrated entirely through. .and both
father and son had iBpefeeptibly scratched
Themselves with their p0Iots 10 pulling off the
boots Ck1m5ers' .HiScgIlHg-