CROTALUS, or RATTLE-SNAKE, in zoology, a genus belonging to the order of amphibian serpentes; the characters of which are these: The belly is furnished with scuta, and the tail has both scuta and scales; but the principal characteristic of this genus, is the rattle at the end of the tail. The rattles consist of several articulated crustaceous, or rather horny, bags, which make a considerable rattling noise when the creature moves, and serves to warn people of their approach. There are five species; and the bite of every one of them is so highly poisonous, that it generally kills in a short time. Of these we have no account that can be depended upon, except that given by Mr Catesby of the horridus, or American rattle-snake. This grows sometimes to the length of 8 feet, and weighs between 8 and 9 pounds. The colour of the head is brown; the eye red; the upper part of the body of a yellowish-brown colour, transversely marked with irregular broad black lifts. The rattle is of a brown colour, composed of several horny, membranous, cells, of an undulated pyramidal figure. These are articulated within one another in such a manner that the point of the first cell reaches as far as the basis of the protuberant ring of the third, and so on; which articulation, being very loose, gives liberty to the parts of the cells that are inclosed within the outward rings to strike against the sides of them, and so to cause the rattling noise which is heard when the snake shakes its tail. This is the most inactive and slow moving of all the snakes, and is never the aggressor except in what it preys upon. The above gentleman is of opinion that no remedy is yet discovered for the bite of this animal. He had frequently access to see Indians bit by it, and always thought that those who recovered were cured more through the force of nature, or by reason of the slightness of the bite, than by the remedies used. He tells us, that the Indians know their destiny the moment they are bit; and if the bite happens to be on any of the large veins, they apply no remedies, as knowing them to be entirely useless.
Crotchet les. He believes the reports of the fascinating power of this serpent, though he never had an opportunity of seeing it. See Plate LXXXIV. fig. 10.