1. A name given to several dark-colored snakes; as in U.S. to the Coluber constrictor and C. Alleghaniensis; in Jamaica to the Natrix atra.
1688. J. Clayton, Virginia, in Phil. Trans., XVIII. 135. The Black Snake, is the largest I think.
1802. Bingley, Anim. Biog. (1813), II. 462. The black snake … able to fascinate birds.
1883. Phil Robinson, in Harper’s Mag., Oct., 708/1. None of my venomous acquaintances … black-snake, whip-snake, coral-snake, or viper.
2. U.S. A long whip-lash.
1883. W. H. Bishop, in Harper’s Mag., March, 495/1. The Mexican-looking drivers trudged beside them in the deep yellow dust, cracking huge ‘black-snakes’ at the animals.
