The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-03-19
THE FLORIDA SNAKES.
THE MoccAsIN. coPPERHEAD
AND CORAL SNAKES.
some OF the Means OF Protec tion--The
Treatmeat OF Bites--How Tourists
AhouId Dress-The Diamond
BACK Rather.


which inhabit that state although the
reported abundance and venomous
powers OF these dreaded reptiles owe
some OF their terrors to Imagination,
says the New York Post.
The moccasin Is by far the most
common OF the poisonous snakes OF
Florida but 1t is by no means SO COM
mon as is generally supposed. Eight
true water snakes are known In Flori-
da- They arc usually abundant. per-
fectly harmless. and as rule, are
popularity called moccasins. This
name therefore is applied to nine
different kinds OF snakes, only one OF
which is poisonous.
Under ordinary circumstances and
with proper treatment the bite OF the
moccasin is not necessarily fatal The
fangs are slender and not very long.
and heavy grained leather boot or
Logging would be sufficient protection
from the bite OF snake OF common
size. Rubber, boots are worthless and
are likely to be penetrated by the
fangs OF the smallest snakes
The coral snake is beautiful rep
tile. Rarely exceeding thirty inches
in length. the slender graceful body
Is marked by alternate bands OF black
orange and vivid crimson. while the
small size OF the poison cavities and
the narrow head gives harmless APP
pearance which has deceived many
people into handling it carelessly. Its
mild disposition, however prevents 1t
from taking advantage Of this undue
intimacy, and 1t seems to be averse to
striking. The venemous powers of the
coral snake are not accurately known.
1t is greatly dreaded by the inhabi-
tants of the tropics. but in the only
instance which has come to the writer's
attention of a person being bitten the
wound was not fatal
Inc diamond-back rattlesnake the
king OF rattlers is the incarnation of
all that is loathsome and hideous To
says that he is fully as dangerous rs
he is repulsive will convey some idea
of the deadliness of his powers. His
bite is death. and thus far science has
given us no antidote upon which we
can rely for cure Fortunately the
diamond back is not common snake,
and it Is due to his comparative
scarcity. the fear he inspires and his
warning rattle that deaths from his
bite are not OF more frequent occur
renee. While not the longest the
diamond back may claim to be the
largest venomous snake in the world.
Certain old-world species attain
greater length but are more slender
and probably weigh less than our
species A fair-sized rattler will
measure 5 to 6 feet in length and
weigh about seven pounds.
The amount OF venom secreted by
a rattlesnake through the unknown
physiological processes OF which
snakes are masters varies greatly with
different individuals. Rarely more
than two drachms. however, can be
obtained from a snake at one time 1t
can be elected TO a distance OF about
three feet The small amount OF
venom required to produce fatal re-
suit is the best proof of its tonic
power. DIR. Wier Mitchell has found
that quarter OF drop is sufficient
TO kill pigeon. The rapidity with
which serpent venom affect, the sys-
tenn depends 30 largely on attending
circumstances that, in the case of
man, no data OF value for comparison
can be given. The governing factors.
however are, OF course, the amount
OF venom and the time required for it
to enter the circulation.
Enfb,a; sti Ia oynctsp,av, a.l -otrrol
lists are frequently led by their pur-
suits into the haunts Of snakes and in
the excitement OF the chase or search
for specimens are apt to exhibit
reckless disregard OF the possibilities
of their surroundings To them, more
particularly. the following suggestions
are addressed. The average tourists
in their quieter strolls are as a rule,
sufficiently we'll protected by an i'm
aglnation which bids them to be more
than necessarily alert Assuming that
when in an upright position the part
OF ones person exposed to an attack
lies below the knee 1t follows that
boots or leggings are the accepted
means OF protection. That the first
are considered Intellectual guards
against all but the smaller snakes is
clearly proved by the varying styles
OF leggings which have been evolved.
The writer knows OF instances where
sportsmen have worn leggings made
OF two thicknesses of canvas lined
with sheet brass or scales OF brass
sewed on canvas and covered with
leather and also scales OF aluminium
arranged In the same manner. 1t is
doubtful II the first would resist the
blow OF large rather the second are
two heavy. the third are expensive,
but would undoubtedly afford COM
plete protection. The writer has his
hunting trousers from the knee down
made OF two thicknesses OF the heavi-
est duck. padded or quilted with cot
ton wadding. In addition he wears a
pair OF grain-leather leggins which
reach we'll over the foot and above the
knee in front Dressed In this man.
ner he feels comparatively secure but
is obliged to confess that the costume
is irksome. and that after the first
week a-feld has accustomed him. to
his surroundings the leggins are
abandoned and the trousers exchanged