in a state of perfect insensibility, in a field near his dwelling, who, on the recovery of his senses, declared, that waiting the approach of a deer that had been troublesome to his crop, he had heard the rattle of a snake, and that before it was in his power to remove from the threatened danger, he perceived a sickening effluvium, which deprived him instantaneously of sense.

From the president of our senate, Mr. John Lloyd, I received the following fact:-A negro working in his field, was seen suddenly to fall, uttering at the same instant a dreadful shriek. On approaching him it was found that he had struck off the head of a very large rattle snake, the body of which was still writhing with agony by his side. When restored to sense, which it took much pains to accomplish, he declared that he shrieked with horror as he struck the snake, and at the same instant fell, overpowered by a smell that took away all his senses.

From these instances I think it would appear, that, although at all times possessed of the power of throwing off this effluvium, that it is only occasionally used by the snake; had it been otherwise-if always perceptible, Renty, the overseer of Mrs. B. and the negro of Mr. L. would have been apprised of their danger, and had an opportunity of avoiding it. But of its actual existence I have still stronger proof, since it has been well ascertained that a negro belonging to Mr. Nathaniel Barnwell, of Beaufort, could, from the acuteness of his faculty of smelling, at all times discover the rattle snake, and, with unerring accuracy, trace its movements; and I have heard my friend colonel Edward Barnwell frequently declare, that he had seen him quit his work, telling Is companions that he smelt a rattle snake, and at a distance of two tasks, (210 feet) point out the animal fascinating, and always in the very act of seizing its prey. If such be the effects on the senses of man, may it not be supposed that the delicate organs of the smaller animals may be operated upon with equal or still greater effect. We know full well that a profusion of odours will not only impair health, but in many instances occasion death. Life has been repeatedly destroyed by the confined air of a bed chamber being overcharged by the fragrance of the sweetest flowers; it will not, therefore, be deemed improbable that odours noxious and offensive in themselves, should be productive of as deadly effects.

In page 74 of Vaillant's Travels in Africa, vol. i. part 2, an interesting ac

In the

count is introduced of a fascinated bird, which died in convulsions in sight of the author, although the distance betwixt it and its enemy was three and a half feet, and upon examination no trace could be found of the slightest wound or external injury. Another instance follows, where a small mouse expired in convulsions, although two yards distant from the snake which caused its destruction. same work the following interesting anecdote will be found, as related by a captain in Gordon's regiment, then quartered at the Cape:-"While in garrison at Ceylon, and amusing myself in hunting a marsh, I was suddenly seized with a convulsive and involuntary trembling, different from what I had ever experienced, and at the same time was strongly attracted, and in spite of myself, to a particular spot in the marsh. Directing my eye to the spot, I beheld, with feelings of horror, a serpent of an enormous size, whose look instantly pierced me. Having, however, not yet lost all power of motion, I embraced the opportunity before too late, and saluted the reptile with the contents of my fusee. The report was a talisman, and broke the charm -my convulsions ceased-I felt myself able to fly, and the only inconvenience was a cold sweat, which was doubtless the effect of fear, and the violent agitation that my senses had undergone."

It is evident that Vaillant, in the two first cases, believed that death was occasioned by fright; yet I cannot subscribe to his opinion, for the removal of the cause would necessarily destroy the effect; and he tells us, "that at his approach the snake glided off, and that it was not till some time afterwards that the mouse expired as he held it in his hand." In the case of the officer, fear could not have had the influence attributed to it, for his convulsions and tremblings took place before the serpent was discovered by him, and it would be the height of folly to suppose its existence where no cause appeared to excite it. Allow me then to say, that I consider these instances rather as confirmations of my opinions than militating against them; for as no external injury was received, no wound inflicted, and death the result of the fascinations, it is not unreasonable to conclude that the inhaling of the deadly effluvium, the existence of which I have endeavoured to prove, was the certain cause of it. That the officer escaped does not surprise me, for I cannot suppose the power given to every serpent in equal degree, and the quantity of effluvium

emitted, though sufficient to bewilder and stupify, was not in its nature so completely baneful as to produce death.

I sbad now read Dr. Barton with attention, and having candidly stated my opinions, without a hesitation give them up, if I find (as you say I shall) his doctrines conclusive on the subject.

I am, Sir, with great respect,
&c. &c. &c.

ALEX. GARDEN.

To General Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. DEAR SIR,

The opinions expressed in my letter to Dr. Ramsay, on “ the existence of an effluvium, which enables the rattle snake, without any extraordinary exertion, to secure its prey," resulted from a candid consideration of the instances therein adduced in support of them. I had never read a line on the subject, nor imagined that similar ideas had been entertained by any other person; it is, therefore, particularly grateful to me, to find, from the perusal of the books you had the politeness to put into my hands, that so distinguished a naturalist as Monsieur La Cepede cherished such sentiments on the subject as give sanction to my own. He speaks with confidence" of the existence of the fetid effluvium emanating from the rattle snake, and ascribes to it the effect of suffocating or at least stupifying the animal on whose senses it is designed to operate." He even asserts" that it is so offensive, that it will occasion dizziness and head-ache in persons who continue long in the apartment in which the reptile is confined;" but although he believes it the foundation of all the stories which have been related with regard to the fascination of animals by the snake, he expresses his opinion, "that in most cases the animal which becomes a victim, has been previously bitten." I subscribe cheerfully to this opinion-though not in toto. Colonel Thompson was not bitten, yet his declaration proves, that his senses were thrown into such a state of confusion, by the effluvium emanating from the -snake which he killed, that he was nearly deprived of ability to guide the horse which he rode, while his subsequent sickness evinces its injurious effects on his constitution, and that it threatened life, although it was not sufficiently powerful to destroy it. On Renty, Mrs. Blake's overseer, and the negro of Mr. Lloyd, no wound was inflicted, yet both from the effect of, the effluvium were deprived of sense; in these instances, the strength of the organs on which it operated, may pro

bably have saved from destruction; and as the little bird and mouse mentioned by Vaillant, with organs of more delicat texture, perished in convulsions, though considerably removed from the snake, and never bitten, I think it reasonable to conclude, that death was occasioned by the noxious quality of the effluvium alone. Before I touch on the theory of Dr. Barton, permit me to remind you that in my opinion, "the power rests with the serpent to emit at pleasure the effluvium which secures to it its prey; that it is rarely perceptible but when the snake is either anxious to obtain food, or provoked to anger, and that the free possession of its health and strength is necessary to its being able to use it with effect.” “If,” says Dr. Barton, "the vapor emanating from the snake, had the effect attributed to it, it would be a kind of Avernus which animals would avoid,—but this is not the case, as frogs and birds are frequently found near them uninjured and undestroyed." Now their security in this case, is, in my opinion, owing to the snake's being previously sufficiently supplied with food; for-from its sluggish habits-its inability to make at any time great exertion, it is probable that Providence has caused it to be satisfied with little nourishment, and that it should never endeavour to paralize where it did not mean to destroy, and I am confirmed in this belief from the perfect recollection of one having been kept alive for upwards of twelve months at Glasgow College, which during that period never took any food whatever. But although Dr. Barton has little or no faith in the existence of the effluvium, yet he says" My friend Mr. Wm. Bartram assured me, that he had observed hors, to be sensible of, and greatly agitated by it, showing their abhorrence, by snorting, whinnying, and starting from the road, and endeavouring to throw their riders in order to escape." To prove that the vapor, if it did exist, was not prejudicial, he put a snow bird into a cage with a rattle snake;-the little animal exhibited no signs of fear, but hopped from the floor to the roost, and frequently sat on the back of the snake; it ate seeds which were put into the cage, and by all its acts demonstrated, that its situation was not uneasy. To account for this, it is of consequence to observe, that the rattle snake seldom eats when caged. Monsieur Bosc says, "when confined they for the most part suffer themselves to die of hunger;" and it is of still greater import to recollect, that when the experiment was made by Dr. Barton, the season was not arrived, wheg

rattle snakes were accustomed to leave their dens the state of the reptile was little removed from absolute torpidity; and I am more inclined to believe it from the indifference shown by the bird, which from the never failing power of instinct, might at once perceive the want of ability in its enemy to molest or injure it. If Dr. Barton's opinion was accurate-"That at the season alone, when birds were employed in hatching their eggs, or nourishing their young, the uneasiness observed in them on the approach of the snake was perceptible, and that their cries and agitation, was occasioned by a desire to defend and protect them," I should be doubtful of the accuracy of my own opinions, and join in the belief, that their destruction was frequently occasioned by their exerting themselves beyond discretion, and persisting in their attacks till they be came the victims of parental anxiety; but this is by no means the case, and particular inquiry justifies me in saying "that till the snake makes his retreat to his den, for the winter season, the power is completely his, of securing his prey, and producing all the effects on the animal destroyed, which are perceptible at an earlier season." My friend, capt. Wm. Cattel, at a late period, saw a rabbit so completely bewildered by the power of the effluvium emanating from a large snake which was about to devour it, that after driving the reptile off, he was compelled repeatedly to strike it smartly with his whip before it sufficiently recovered the use of its faculties to move away.Capt. Fuller and Mr. Miles, very lately, also took up from before a rattle snake, a large rabbit, that was too much bewildered to show the smallest desire to escape. Monsieur Beauvois denies the existence of the effluvium, and declares, in all the experiments made by Mr. Peale of Philadelphia, and himself, neither the one nor the other could ever perceive that any was emitted by the snake subjected to their observations. He also put a bird into a cage with a rattle snake, but found that the reptile remained perfectly tranquil and the bird altogether at ease; nor did the air appear to it, to judge from its behaviour, different from that which is found in an ordinary close cage ;-but, as in the case mentioned by Dr. Barton, the snake had been dug from the ground in a torpid state, and still remained without

vigour or activity, in that stupor when it is never known to emit any odour whatever. He had procured in Jersey, eight rattle snakes, which he had shut up in a box as soon as dug out of the earth, and forwarded to Philadelphia. Three weeks after, the box was opened and the snakes taken out, when no odour whatever was perceived, and in my opinion, for this plain reason, that being dug out of the ground when torpid, no disposition to gratify appetite existed in them,-that they were too languid and insensible to be susceptible of anger, and that the power was denied them of emitting the effluvium, which at a more advanced season, and in possession of health and vigour, had undoubtedly been theirs. The opinion of Monsieur Bosc, differs widely from that of Dr. Barton: "Nature," says he, "while she refused to the rattle snake activity, to warn man of his danger, has given to the reptile a pestilential effluvium and rattles." But this effluvium, according to his ideas, arises from the putridity of the food contained in the stomach of the reptile, while subject to the operation of digestion. Now, if this position be true, the snake, while gorged with food, would prevent the approach of all other animals by warning them of their danger, for, independent of his will, the pestiferous odcur would be emitted, and when the stomach is empty it would emit no odour whatever; whereas, I believe the fact to be diametrically opposite-that the snake, when gorged with food, is quiescent, altogether disinclined to exertion, and in no instance prone unnecessarily to waste the effluvium on which it depends for support; but, on the other hand, when its stomach is empty, impelled by hunger to seek for food, that it freely emits the effluvium, which prevents the escape of the animal it wishes to devour, and by stupifying, causes it to become an easy sacrifice to its rapacious appetite.

I am sensible, sir, that you would have blamed me, had I feigned a conviction of error which I did not feel. The arguments which I now offer in support of my pristine opinions, may prove little satisfactory to you, but will, I hope, have sufficient plausibility to excuse me for subjecting them to your consideration. With grateful recollection of your politeness, I remain, Yours, &c.

ALEX. GARDEN.

These remarkable springs are situated in N. lat. 34° 14' 7", upon a small creek of the Washitaw, bearing their name, and uniting with that river at the distance of 12 or 14 miles from the springs. The country in which they are situated is extremely hilly and broken, the highlands being divided into numerous ridges and knobs by creeks, runs, &c. The rocky formations, in this neighbourhood, are both various and interesting, exhibiting various orders of concretion, from the softest state to the hardest flint. On the Washitaw, slate of an excellent quality for tiling is found in abundance. Near the springs I observed several varieties of this formation, one of which appeared well adapted for writing slates, and a second, sufficiently hard and fissile for tiles. On Hot Spring creek, and several other water courses in its vicinity, are extensive quarries of stone, resembling, in colour and texture, the Turkey oil stone, which, by numerous experiments, has been proved equally as useful in sharpening tools, &c. On the hills, tilf and other mineral sines abound. The stones in many places are strongly impregnated with iron, and rich ore of this metal is frequently to be met with. Upon the hill from which the Hot Springs issue, the rocky formations are different in many respects, from any I have observed upon the other hills. By the operation of heat, as also of the water which holds in solution a large portion of the carbonate of lime, no where else to be seen upon the surface of the ground, various changes have been wrought upon them. In some instances the works are so incrusted with calcarious concretions, that it is difficult to ascertain their original character without a minute examination. In others, pebbles and stones of various forms and complexions, are so strongly cemented together with iron and calx combined, as to constitute large masses of compact and solid stone. The rocks and stones generally upon the hills, are extremely ragged and favillous, vast bodies of them, in many instances, having the appearance of being composed entirely of the calcarious matter once held in solution by the hot water of the springs. In regard to the natural growth, 1 observed nothing peculiar to the hill whence the springs flow, that was not common also to the other neighbouring heights. The high lands generally, in this quarter, are covered with forests of yellow or pitch pine, and support an exuberant growth of vines, furze, bramble, &c.

The course of the creek in passing the springs, is nearly south, The quantity of

water running in it, is, at this time, (Jan. 1,) about one thousand gallons per minute. Hot Spring bill, or mountain, (as it is more frequently called,) is situated on the east side of the creek, and is about 550* feet high. The extent of its base along the creek is about six hundred yards. The hill is of a conical form, and has a base not exceeding 1 1-2 miles in diameter. It is completely insulated from the other hills by which it is environed, by creeks, brooks, and ravines. Directly north of it, on the same side of the creek, is another hill somewhat higher, separated from the former by a small brook. the west side of the creek, directly opposite to Spring hill, is a third, considerably higher than either of the last mentioned, and situated a little distance from the creek, leaving an area of considerable extent between its base and the creek, upon which cabins are built for the accommodation of those who visit the springs.

On

There are said to be sixty different springs or fountains of hot water, occupying a distance of about four hundred yards along the east side of the creek. On the west side there is but one, situated immediately upon the shore, and discharging but a moderate quantity of water; while on the other side, they are variously situated, some of them near the edge of the creek, upon the same level, and others on different parts of the declivity, elevated from 10 to 150 feet above the water level, and discharging from one to fifteen or twenty gallons each, per minute. Immediately in the vicinity of some of the hot springs, are fountains of cold water, in some instances, gushing out of the ground within a very few feet of the Hot Spring

There have been 14 or 15 rude cabins constructed along the creek, by persons who resort hither, occasionally, for the benefit of the springs. They are situated mostly on the west side, and are calculated merely for a summer residence, very few of them having chimneys. At present none of them are occupied, except one, in which a family took a temporary residence a few days since. There are no settlements yet made nearer than the Washitaw, where there are three at the distance of about eight miles from the springs. From these settlements, residents at the springs obtain provisions by paying a high price; but, to the credit and generosity of the settlers, it may be said, that they are equally as ready to supply the poor, as the rich, although they run the risk of never receiving payment for their produce. There have been