5o6 



SNAKES. 



deliberately giving a signal, lowering her head to the level 

 of the ground or water, opening wide her mouth to receive 

 her young, and giving them a second sign when they might 

 safely venture forth again. 



This is the state of things supposed to exist at the present 

 time ; and it would seem to be an organized habit, perfected 

 in process of ages, and one in which the mother's instinct, 

 and a consciousness of Jiarboiiring active yonng ones before 

 introducing tJicni to snrrotmding dangers^ must have had a 

 considerable share. 



In concluding this speculative chapter, I can only humbly 

 beg to * second the motion' put to the learned assembly at 

 Portland, Maine, in 1873, to the effect that the subject will 

 receive the attention of ophiologists in all the snake countries 

 of the world. 



