412 SNAKES. 



Schneck, in the March number for the same year, describes a 

 similar action on his worrying them with a switch, when, 

 after making futile efforts to attack, they would seem to 

 bite themselves (which they really never do), and then turn 

 on their backs as if dead. After a few moments of quiet 

 they would turn over and beat a hasty retreat. Several 

 other writers in Science Neius confirm Holbrooke's exper- 

 ience, that ' under no provocation can it be induced to bite.' 

 Those we have seen at the Gardens verify this ; exhibiting 

 an extremely inoffensive nature, though no death-feigning 

 or summersault performances. And I am more inclined to 

 attribute the rigidity to a sort of paralyzed terror than to 

 any pretence of being dead. The same thing is observed 

 in some insects. If you blow on them or alarm them, they 

 will flatten themselves against whatever they may be 

 crawling on, and cling close and stiff as if dead, but 

 presently escape. Some other snakes, also, as well as the 

 Heterodons^ keep rigidly still as if paralyzed when molested, 

 previous to attempting any escape, though I do not remem- 

 ber any others that turn over on their backs in so singular 

 a fashion. 



A few more words about the Deirodon with its still 

 stranger teeth must come in the next chapter. 



