RETURN FROM PITTSBURG 323 



body becomes flattened. The Garter-snake (Coluber 

 T&nia, Scut, abdom. 145-48. squam. subcaud. 60-65). 

 It is some three to three and a half feet long. The 

 black-brown back is set off by three beautiful, pale 

 yellow, narrow stripes running from the head to the 

 tail, plainly enough distinguishing this snake. The 

 Green Snake which is also distinct by its color, and 

 does not grow large. The Black Snake, (Coluber 

 Constrictor L.), and several others which I had no 

 opportunity to examine closely. I saw a two-headed 

 snake on Long Island, preserved in spirits of wine ; it 

 was doubtless, (as well as that mentioned by Carver), 

 an abortment. 



In the mountains one hears much now and again of 

 a Horn or Thorntail-Snake which has at the end of its 

 tail a horny sting with which it can not only give man 

 and beast fatally poisonous wounds, but can kill trees 

 struck by its sting. But in regard to this I have no 

 reliable evidence. Preserved in spirits of wine by a 

 New Englander I saw on Long Island a two-headed 

 snake. Carver also mentions one. They were both, 

 likely, abortments. 



In a hill of the South Mountain, seven miles from 

 Frederick-town, silver was dug for a few years ago. 

 However nothing was found but lead and iron ; and 

 several enthusiasts, who had let themselves be con- 

 vinced, dug themselves penniless in the business. 

 After they had gone a considerable depth, no workmen 

 were to be had under 5-6 shillings ,a day and keep, and 

 the work was given up at a loss of some consequence. 



From Frederick-town I passed, over the York-town 

 road, 1 1 miles north through limestone soil ; then 

 turned to the east over Rocky-hill, to reach the copper 



