152 REPTILES AND BATRACHIANS 



when on the defensive, having a specially sinister appear- 

 ance. Many specimens of this snake, having assumed their 

 threatening attitude to no effect, suddenly turn on their 

 backs and throw themselves into violent contortions, 

 rolling over and over as if in the greatest pain, and 

 finally remaining on their backs as if dead. Mr. R. L. 

 Ditmars, in his book the Reptiles of the World, tells a 

 most amusing experience which befell him when snake 

 collecting in the Southern States with a number of negro 

 guides. In order to promote respect for himself the 

 author of the story, having come across a large Hog- 

 nosed Snake, which was regarded as exceptionally noxious 

 by his followers, requested them to form a circle round him 

 and to watch his powers in snake hypnotism, explaining 

 that he would kill it with a few waves of the hand. Making 

 a few mysterious signs over the snake the latter almost 

 immediately shammed dead, to the amazement of the 

 negroes. The circle was then informed that the serpent 

 would be restored to life again, upon which Mr. 

 Ditmars once more made a few signs over the snake, 

 requesting the company to remain perfectly still. After 

 a few minutes the snake, convinced that all danger was 

 over, rolled over and began crawling away. The effect, 

 however, was more than Mr. Ditmars bargained for, 

 for his guides and porters came to the conclusion that 

 his supernatural powers were decidedly uncanny, and 

 dropped away one by one, leaving him stranded in a 

 wild and lawless region. 



The eggs of this snake, which number about twenty-five, 

 are deposited in deep holes in the ground. The newly 

 born young show all the characteristics of their parents 



