John Russell （b. 1793,d. 1863） graduated at Middlebury College,Vt.in 1818. He was at one time editor of the "Backwoodsman," published at Grafton,Ill.and later of the "Louisville Advocate." He was the author of many tales of western adventure and of numerous essays,sketches,etc. His language is clear,chaste,and classical;his style concise,vigorous,and sometimes highly ornate.
1.Whhas not heard of the rattlesnake or copperhead? An unexpected sight of either of these reptiles1 will make even the lords of creation recoil2;but there is a species of worm,found in various parts of this country,which conveys a poison of a nature sdeadly that,compared with it,even the venom of the rattlesnake is harmless. Tguard our readers against this foe of human kind is the object of this lesson.
2.This worm varies much in size. It is frequently an inch in diameter,but,as it is rarely seen except when coiled,its length can hardly be conjectured. It is of a dull lead color,and generally lives near a spring or small stream of water,and bites the unfortunate people whare in the habit of going there tdrink. The brute creation it never molests. They avoid it with the same instinct that teaches the animals of India tshun the deadly cobra.33.Several of these reptiles have long infested4 our settlements,tothe misery and destruction of many of our fellow citizens. I have,1Reptiles,animals that crawl,as snakes,lizards,etc. 2Recoil,tstart back,tshrink from.
3 Cobra,a highly venomous reptile inhabiting the East Indies. 4 Infested,troubled,annoyed.therefore,had frequent opportunities of being the melancholy spectator of the effects produced by the subtile1 poison which this worm infuses2.
4.The symptoms of its bite are terrible. The eyes of the patient become red and fiery,his tongue swells tan immoderate size,and obstructs3 his utterance;and delirium4 of the most horrid character quickly follows. Sometimes,in his madness,he attempts the destruction of his nearest friends.
5.If the sufferer has a family,his weeping wife and helpless infants are not unfrequently the objects of his frantic fury. In a word,he exhibits,tthe life,all the detestable passions that rankle5 in the bosom of a savage;and such is the spell in which his senses are locked,that nsooner has the unhappy patient recovered from the paroxysm6 of insanity occasioned by the bite,than he seeks out the destroyer for the sole purpose of being bitten again.
6.I have seen a good old father,his locks as white as snow,his step slow and trembling,beg in vain of his only son tquit the lurking place of the worm. My heart bled when he turned away;for I knew the fond hope that his son would be the "staff of his declining years," had supported him through many a sorrow.
7.Youths of America,would you know the name of this reptile? It is called the WORM7 OF THE STILL8.1Subtile,acute,piercing. 2 Infuses,introduces.3bstructs,hinders.4Delirium,a wandering of the mind. 5Rankle,trage.6Paroxysm,a fit,a convulsion.7Worm,a spiral metallic pipe used in distilling liquors. 8Still,a vessel used in distilling or making liquors.