304 APPENDIX. 



ings; and I am inclined to think the marking and 

 general hue of the snake depends in a great degree 

 on the nature of the rocks, or colour of the ground 

 whereon it lives. 



I never once saw the rattlesnake attempt to spring 

 at or attack either man, dog, or horse. I have again 

 and again teased a large rattlesnake with a twig, but 

 never succeeded in provoking to attack me. Very 

 sluggish in all its movements, and remarkably fond of 

 creeping in the dust. 



The Indian women use the rattle of the snake, both 

 on the east and west side of the Eocky Mountains, 

 either to produce abortion, or, as ergot of rye (Secede 

 cornutum), is used by physicians to produce uterine 

 contraction. The rattle has evidently some specific 

 effect on the uterine tissues. I do not think there is 

 more than one species west of the Eocky Mountains. 



BASCANION VETUSTUS. (Baird and GKrard.) 



The Green Racer. 



This snake I obtained at Sumass and Chelukweyuk 

 prairies, and along the Bndy. Line east of the Cascades. 

 Its favourite haunt appears to be in the thin brush 

 skirting the edges of open prairie land, and the princi- 

 pal part of its time in the summer appears to be passed 

 in the bushes, up the stems of which it climbs with 

 great ease and celerity ; when there, it lazily basks away 

 its time coiled round a branch. I suspect tree frogs 

 arid insect larvas constitute its usual food.* 



* Vide Vol. I. 



