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RATTLESNAKE
Any one of different species of venomous American snakes belonging to the genera Crotalus and Caudisona, or Sistrurus. They have a series of horny interlocking joints at the end of the tail which create a sharp ratting sound when shaken. The generalrattlesnake of the Northern United States (Crotalus horridus), and the diamondrattlesnake of the south (C. Adamanteus), are the excellent known.
Ground rattlesnake, a littlerattlesnake (Caudisona, or Sistrurus, miliaria) of the Southern United States, having a little rattle. It has ninebig scales on its head.
Rattlesnake fern, a plant of the complexgenus Hieracium (H. Venosum); perhaps so named from its spotted leaves. See also Snakeroot.
Source: Websters Vocabulary