[193]. Diodor. Siculus.
In America is a vast variety of Serpents, and some of prodigious Dimensions; in particular, they are very numerous and large in Cordillera, i. e. Andes, or high Mountains of Chile, which Mountains, Antonio de Herrera calls a Prodigy of Nature, not to be match’d in the kind: They are two Chains of high Mountains, about 1500 Leagues in length: In that spacious Region are Adders red as blood, seven or eight Foot long, which in the Night appear like burning Coals, but not so dangerous as other Serpents, that are Imps of Darkness. Acosta and other Writers tell us, that the Devil appear’d among the Americans in the shape of a Serpent.
There are so many Sorts, says Nieuhoff, that the Brasilians reckon up no less than thirty-two, most of which are here accounted for.
XXVII. The Caudisonant, or Rattle-snake, is a large Species of the Viper, and in its exterior Form every way similar, the rustling Tail excepted; it moves with as much Agility as if supply’d with Wings, called therefore the Flying-snake: It has small Eyes, and four Teeth longer than the rest, of white Colour, and sharp, like Thorns; the Head is guarded with small Scales, the Back with larger and thicker Armour; the Tail is composed of several loose bony Articulaments that make a roaring Sound, loud enough to be heard at a distance; and therefore called the Bell-Snake.
It is common in Virginia, where it appears to be from three to four Foot long, and reckoned to be very poisonous; but scarcely hurts any, unless provoked; and when offended, like the God of War, makes directly at the Enemy, without dread of Consequences.
In the History of Peru, an Account is given of a young Woman who was wounded by a Rattle-snake, and died on the Spot, before any Relief could be had; and when they came to take up the Corpse, the Flesh came off her Bones; so speedily did the violence of the Poison dissolve the structure of the Body.
The method of killing this Snake, is thus given by Captain Silas Taylor, viz. Of the Leaves of Dittany of Virginia (i. e. wild Penny-royal) bruis’d, we took, says he, and having fasten’d them at the end of a cloven Stick, we held it to the Nose of the Rattle-snake, who by turning and wriggling, labour’d hard to avoid it; but was kill’d with it in less than half an Hour’s time, and as is supposed by the meer Scent of that Vegetable[[194]]. This was done A. D. 1657, in July, at which Season those Creatures are reputed to be in the greatest Vigour for their Poison: It is also remarkable, that in those Places where this wild Penny-royal grows, none of these Snakes are observed to come[[195]].
[194]. Regnault, vol. ii. from Journ. des Scav. 1666. p. 113. Lowthorp’s Abridg. of Philos. Transact. vol. ii. p. 811.
[195]. Ibid.
The bruised Leaves of the Virginian Dittany are very hot, and biting upon the Tongue: Probably the strong Smell of it might stop the Passages of Respiration in those Animals, or ferment with the Blood, so as to suffocate them. In Gresham College at London may be seen fifteen Skins of Rattle-snakes checker’d——Some appear in ash colour: Several Rattles of those Snakes, most of them composed of above ten Joints.