1890] 



MARYLAND ACADEMY OP SCIENCES. 96 



Moulting. — I have found the freshly shed skins of Copper- 

 heads and other snakes at various times from May until Sep- 

 tember. 



When first shed, the skins arc somewhat transparent and 

 appear much larger than the body of the snake they recently 

 enveloped. 



The markings were very faint and indistinct upon those I 

 examined, but could be recognized by their shape and size. 



The skins soon become dry and brittle and more or less 

 opaque. When the skin is shed entire, it is generally found in 

 some damp or wet spot, but if it happens to be shed in a pile 

 of stones, or in a very dry place, the skin will be found in 

 pieces or ragged patches. 



I observed this process in a pet rattlesnake to take place as 

 follows : For several days before shedding the skin, he be- 

 came unusually torpid and would select any wet spot in the 

 box upon which to lie. The skin became detached first from 

 about the mouth, and as the snake wriggled himself out, the 

 skin was turned backward or inside out. 



I was sorry to be unable to observe whether he would have 

 shed his fang-teeth at this time, as other snakes are said to do, 

 but the fangs had been removed a few weeks before by the 

 friend who sent the specimen. 



The presence of the Copperhead snake is often recognized by 

 a peculiar odor which is thought by some persons to resemble 

 that of fresh cucumbers. My own experience has been quite 

 clear in recognizing this odor after my attention was called 

 to it, and which shortly thereafter led to the finding of the 

 reptile. 



Fmcinntion. — It is hardly necessary to say that the peculiar 

 behavior of small birds and animals when about to be attacked 

 by a snake is caused by terror, which deprives them of the 

 power to escape from what they recognize as a deadly enemy, 

 rather than any ability upon the part of the serpent to fascinate 

 or charm, as has been sometimes stated. 



Snake-bite. — As a matter of interest, I have made inquiry of 

 a number of physicians in my neighborhood relative to the 

 effect of snake-bites. Many have seen and treated persons who 



