Rattle-snake, in zoology, a genus belonging to the order of amphibia 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 cristaeeous, 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. 1. The horridus, or American rattle-snake, has 165 scuta, and 23 scutella. It is generally of an orange, tawny, or blackish colour on the back, and the belly is ash-coloured: they are from four to fix inches in length; some are as thick as a man's leg: Dr Tyton dissected one which was four feet five inches long, and the body six and a half inches in diameter. They devour birds, squirrels, hares, &c. 2. The milarius has 13 scuta, and 31 scutella. It is ash-coloured, interspersed with black spots, and is a native of Carolina. 3. The dryinas has 165 scuta, and 30 scutella. It is whitish, with a few yellow spots, and is a native of America. 4. The durifusus has 172 scuta, and 21 scutella. It is variegated with white and yellow colours, and is likewise found in America. 5. The mutus has 217 scuta, and 34 scutella. It has a chain of rhomboidal black spots on the back, a black line behind the eyes, and is a native of Surinam.

Crotchets, in music, one of the notes or characters of time, marked thus f equal to half a minum, and double of a quaver.

Crotchets are also marks or characters, serving to inclose a word or sentence which is distinguished from the rest, being generally in this form [ ], or this ( ).