Catesby, Mark. Vol.II, Tab. 44, The Black Viper

Mark Catesby  The Black Viper, Vol.II, Tab. 44 Etching with hand color 14" x 19" sheet From Volume II, Part 8 of Catesby's Natural History of Carolina, Florida & the Bahama Islands London: 1737 - 1771 Currently known as the eastern hog-nosed snake, Heterodon platirhinos and poponax, Vachellia tortuosa*, Catesby described these subjects as follows: Vipera Negra. The Black Viper. This Serpent is short and thick, of slow Motion, spreads his Head, when irritated, surprisingly broad and flat, threatning with a horrid Hiss. They are very venomous, having the like Fangs of Destruction as the Rattle-Snake, and their Bite is said to be as deadly. They generally frequent the higher Lands, and are of a rusty black Colour in all their Stages of Life. Arbor foliis pinnatis, spica pendula sericea. Alp. p. 2. This Plant grows usually to the Height of eight or ten Feet, composed of many Stems, arising close together from the Root; the Branches grow into Bendings, making Angles at regular Distances