Phenix Gazette

Reptiles.—The present season has been remarkable for the abundance of venomous reptiles, which are to be found in the pastures and fields in many of the towns in this vicinity. Many of the oldest inhabitants aver that this increase is beyond all they can recollect. A gentleman at Manchester, a week since, being in the pastures with a small child, his attention was called to an object which seemed to interest the child much; the child was gazing intently on a large Rattle-snake, wound into a coil and having its head erect. On the approach of the gentleman the snake ran under a stone in the wall and finally made its escape. The stone was turned over, and a glutinous bag, of the size of the gentleman's two hands was found, which contained eighty-six young Rattlesnakes, from one to six inches in length, in perfect life and animation. Many of them were killed, and the remainder on being exposed to the heat of the sun soon became inanimate.—Salem Register.