Hurter — Herpetology of Missouri. 145 



row their way into mould or leaves. Few specimens are 

 actually seen abroad and these are exceedingly timid, 

 darting into the leaves or hiding place at the slightest 

 disturbance. As they pass most of their time in hiding 

 they are poor subjects for observation, only coming out 

 after sunset in search of small insects and worms. I 

 have never seen one ascend a tree. 



Dates of capture. — Apr. 4, 25; May 5, 10; July 4; Sept. 

 5; Nov. 7. 



Suborder SERPENTES. 



Body greatly elongated and covered with horny imbricated (in a few 

 cases granular and not imbricated) scales. Limbs wanting (rudiments 

 of hind limbs present in Boas, Pythons, and a few others). Shoulder 

 girdle never present. Eyelids and external organs of hearing want- 

 ing. Mouth very dilatable, the bones of the jaw being loosely articu- 

 lated. No urinary bladder. Oviparous or ovoviviparous. (Garman.) 



Because of the superstitions associated with them, ser- 

 pents possess a peculiar interest for most people. The 

 almost universal dread in which they are held, has prob- 

 ably been acquired in the majority of cases. Children 

 that have been raised and shown the snakes, without fill- 

 ing their minds with all kinds of terrible stories, are not 

 afraid of them and handle them as they would a pet cat 

 or dog. This experience I made with my own children 

 and grandchildren. Whenever I brought snakes home 

 they wanted to see them and were more pleased if I gave 

 them one to play with than if I brought them candy or 

 some other plaything. Of course, I always took great care 

 to show them the difference between poisonous and non- 

 poisonous snakes. Some of the harmless snakes take, it 

 seems, advantage of the feeling and horror they inspire 

 and simulate the behavior of their formidable relatives 

 by coiling, striking, and even producing a noise like that 

 of rattlers by vibrating their tails rapidly in contact witli 

 dead vegetation. All, or nearly all, will use the teeth 

 when cornered, but the bite is not followed by serious 

 consequences. 



