64 HETERODON NIGER. 



very large. The anterior orbital plates are four in number, and nearly quadri- 

 lateral; the superior is largest. There are four inferior orbital and three posterior 

 orbital, all quadrilateral. The upper jaw has eight lateral plates, all quadrilateral, 

 and increasing in size to the seventh, which is the largest. 



The nostrils are large, lateral, and near the snout. The eyes are large, the 

 pupil black, the iris very dark gray. The neck is the size of the head, and 

 covered with carinated scales. 



The body is elongated, but short, thick, and rounded above, flattened at the 

 abdomen, covered above with larger scales than those of the neck; these are 

 carinated, but less distinctly than those of the Heterodon platirhinos. The tail is 

 long, small, cylindrical, and pointed at the tip. 



Colour. The colour above is uniformly black; below it is whitish at the 

 throat, and bluish slate-colour on the abdomen and tail. 



Dimensions. Length of head, 1 inch 3 lines; breadth of head, when not 

 flattened, 9 lines; length of body, ISi inches; length of tail, 41 inches; circum- 

 ference of body, 3 inches 2 lines. 



Habits. The Heterodon niger has similar habits to the Heterodon platirhinos, 

 but in general it seems to choose drier places for its abode, and are not 

 uncommon in the pine barren districts. It has the same power of flattening the 

 head and neck, and "threatening with a horrid hiss;" its dark colour, its sinister 

 look and menacing attitude, have led to the common belief of its being a 

 venomous snake. Even Catesby represents it as "having the like fangs of 

 destruction as the Rattlesnake." It is, however, a harmless snake, feeding on 

 smaller reptiles, insects, &c. 



Geographical Distribution. The Heterodon niger is rarely found as far 

 north as Pennsylvania, but is one of the most common snakes in the lower part 



