DO SNAKES REFUGE THEIR YOUNG 1 495 



Ejitania sirtalis and E. satirtta ; the water snake, Tropi- 

 donotus sipedon ; the rattlesnake, Cmidisona Jiorridus ; the 

 copper-head and moccasin, Ancistrodon contortrix and 

 piscivonis ; the '' Massasattga" Crotaliis tergiiniims ; the 

 Enghsh viper, Pelias bents ; and the mountain black snake, 

 Coluber AllegJianiensis. Probably all the Crotalidce might be 

 included. It remains to be shown whether the habit extends 

 to the egg-laying snakes, but as yet no proof had occurred. 

 The Professors then present invited still further observations 

 and reports, affirming that the breeding habits of more than 

 twenty-five of the North American genera were entirely 

 unknown.' 



The following are a few of the cases recorded. 



A 'water moccasin' (probably Ancistrodon piseivorus) had 

 been seen for several days unwelcomely close to a southern 

 residence. A gentleman wishing to entice her away from 

 the water so as the better to kill her, had a rabbit placed 

 near, which by and by she seized and had nearly swallowed, 

 when those on the watch made a noise to alarm her. She 

 quickly disgorged it, gave a shrill whistling noise, and five 

 young snakes ran from under a log down her throat. The 

 men cut off her head and found the five young which tried 

 to get away. 



* A farmer who was mowing saw a number of little snakes 

 and a large one. He went a short distance to fetch a fork 

 to kill them, and on his return found only the large one left. 

 He struck it on the back, and seven ran out of her mouth.' 



'Another farmer saw a "striped snake," and noticed a 

 number of young ones near to her head. He alarmed them, 

 and the young ones rushed in at her open mouth. He 



