Paper, 'An account of the rattlesnake' by Paul Dudley

Description

Dudley outlines the three sorts of rattlesnake he has observed, which he distinguishes by their colour: 'a yellowish green, a deep ash colour, and a black sattin [sic]'. He describes how the snake moves slowly, with its head close to the ground, and suggests that it keeps its distance from humans. He goes on to describe the diet of the rattlesnake, its generation and the noise made by its tail, and shares observations on the rattlesnake's poison, which he explains is only harmful when it comes into contact with broken skin. He shares details of a remedy for the sting of a rattlesnake whcih is known as 'blood-root' (Sanguinaria). He concludes by describing the average size and dwelling of the rattlesnake.

Written by Dudley at Roxbury, New England [USA].

Subject: Zoology / Herpetology

Published in Philosophical Transactions as 'An account of the rattlesnake'

Read to the Royal Society on 10 January 1723

Reference number

CLP/15i/71

Earliest possible date

25 October 1722

Physical description

Ink on paper

Page extent

4 pages

Format

Manuscript