Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-03-18
THE FLORIDA SNAKES.
THE MOCCASIN, COPPERHEAD
AND CORAL SNAKES.
Some of the Means OF Protectlon-Ths
Treatment of Bites-How Tourists
thould D:ess-The Diamond
Bact II tier.

The tourist in Florida must run the
risk OF encountering one or moro Of
the five species of poisonous snakes
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 it is by no means so COM
mon as is generally supposed. Eight
true water snakes are known in Flori-
da. They are usually abundant, per-
fectly harmless and. as q rule, are
popularity called moccasins. This
name, therefore is applied to nine
different kinds OF snakes, only one of
which is poisonous.
Under ordinary circum stances and
with proper treatment the bite o. the
moccasin is not necessarily fatal Tho
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 u 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 ap-
pearance which has deceived many
people into handling it carelessly. Its
mild disposition. however. prevents it
from taking advantage OF this undue
intimacy, and 1t scems 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 tho only
instance which has come to the writer's
attention OF person being bitten the
wound was not fatal
The diamond rattlesnake, the
king OF rattlers is tho incarnation of
all that is loathsome and hdeous To
says that he Is fully as dangerous as
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 a 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-w world species attain a
greater length. but are more slender
and probably weigh less than our
species. A fair-sizei RATHER will
measure TO 6 feet in length and
weigh about seven pounds.
The amount OF venom secreted bv
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 20 distance OF about
three feet The small amount of
venom required to produce a fatal re-
suit is the best proof OF its tonic
power. DR.. Wier Mitchell has found
that quarter Of a drop is sufficient
TO kill pigeon. The rapidity with
which serpent venom affects the svs.
tenn depends so 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.
Enthusiastic sportsmen and natural
lists arc frequently led by their pur-
suits into the haunts of snakes and in
the excitement OF the chase or search
Tor specimens are apt to exhibit a
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 well protected by an i'm
agination which bids Thorn 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 it 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
spo.tsmen have worn leggings made
OF two thickncsses 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 tho 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 dnck padded or quilted with cot
ton wadding. In addition he wears
pair OF g ain-leather leggins which