10 McAtec — Mammals, Reptiles and Batrachians of Indiana. 

 Fairly common. 



Diadophis punctatus (Linn.). 



RING-NECKKU SNAKE. 



4. Cyclophis aestivus (Linn.). 



ROUGH GREEN-SNAKE. 



Not an uncommon species ; several are seen each year. 



5. Storeria dekayi (Holb.). 

 Not rare. 



6. Coluber obsoletus (Say). 



PILOT SNAKE. 



Very common. A great climber; of gentle disposition in confinement. 



7. *Natrix kirtlandi (Kenn.). 

 One record bv Dr. David Starr Jordan. 



Common. 



8. Natrix fasciata sipedon (Linn.). 



WATEK-SNAKE. 



9. Heterodon platyrhinus Latr. 



HOG-NOSED SNAKE. 



The most abundant species. Remarkable for the paroxysms it under- 

 goes when frightened. There is apparently a regular course ■which must 

 be gone tlirough with when once begun. Usually the head and neck flatten, 

 the body swells and the hissings commence. This part of the series only 

 is often given and seems to be an intimidatory movement. If this does 

 not produce the desired effect, the violent contortions begin immediately. 

 During these the remains of the last meal, if still available for the purpose, 

 are ejected. The writhing continues for a short time and diminishes in 

 intensity until the snake lies i)eifectly still on its back. I have never ob- 

 served one of these spasms that reached the contoition stage that was not 

 carried through to the end. They remain in the death feigning posture 

 from a few seconds to many minutes, and the instinct to simulate death is 

 so strongly develojied that if the " dead " snake be turned over to the nor- 

 mal position, it is not content to remain' inert but at once flops back to 

 what it evidently considers the " deadest " attitude at its command. My 

 experience has been that the young (of the year) come out of this state 

 very quickly, but I have observed an adult when undisturbed to remain 

 in it not less than ten minutes, and Professor W. S. Blatchley found tliat 

 with a little attention at intervals to remind them of his presence, they 

 would " play possum" for an hour at a time. 



10. Osceola doliata triangula (Boie). 



MILK SNAKE, 



Very common. One was found with the tail of a ring-necked snake 

 [Diadophis punctalvH) protruding from its mouth. It was compelled to 

 disgorge, when its victim was found to be nearly as long as itself. Witlia 

 little j)ersuasion and assistance it was induced to repeat its feat of degluti- 

 tion, and was killed. The specimens are now preserved in the University 

 collection as nearly as possible in the positioii in which they were origi- 

 nally found. 



