This is variegated, hath a thick head, four long, sharp fangs, and a horny tail with joints doubled over each other, more or less according to age, for the tail increases one joint each year. The shaking of the tail causes a hideous drumming preliminary to its biting. The rattle-snake then opens wide its jaws; the upper one is arched and hath a blue membrance doubled. over, from which it shoots

Pigeons.

A pretty little bird.

Turkeys

Fishes.

Rattle snake.

124 DESCRIPTION OF NEW NETHERLAND.

along the fangs a deadly poison. A person wounded by this reptile would be cured with difficulty, did the field not produce a wholesome antidote, which the Indians carry constantly with

them. This people is divided into divers nations, Now Netherlanters2ll well shaped and strong, having pitch-black and

lank hair, as coarse as a horse's tail; broad shoulders ; small waist ; brown eyes and snow white teeth ; they are of a sallow color ; abstemious in food and drink. Water satisfies their thirst; high and low make use of Indian corn and beans, flesh meat and fish prepared allalike. Thecrushed corn is daily boiled to a pap called by them sappaen. They observe no set time for meals. Whenever hunger demands, the time for eating arrives. . Beavers' tails are considered the most savory delicacy. Whilst hunting they live some days on roasted corn carried about the person in a little bag.

A little corn in wafer swells to alarge mass. Henry he voraae, "Hudson relates, that he entered the river Montaines