Snakes about seven several sorts. The Rattle-Snake, so called from certain Rattles at the end of the Tail; these Rattles seem like so many perished Joynts, being a dry Husk over certain Joynts, and the common Opinion is, that there are as many Rattles or Joynts, as the Snake is Years old; I kill’d four or five, and they had each eleven, twelve, or thirteen Joynts each, but the Young ones have no Rattles of a Year or two, but they may be known notwithstanding, being very regularly diced or checker’d, black, and gray on the backs; The Old shake and shiver these Rattles with wonderful nimbleness when they are any ways disturbed; their bite is very deadly, yet not always of the same force, but more or less Mortal, accordingly as the Snake is in (127) force or vigour, and therefore in June or July much worse, and more Mortal, than in March and April. This Snake is a very Majestick sort of Creature, and will scarce meddle with any thing unless provoked, but if any thing offend it, it makes directly at them. I was told a pleasant Story of an Old Gentleman, Col. Cleyborn as I remember was his Name, the same that sent the Rattle-Snakes to the Royal Society some Years since.