Notes on the Rairac/iiatis ami Reptiles of Vigo Co., Ind. 33 



sandy hillsides and prairies. The var. niger is almost as 

 frequent as the typical species, and, in the writer's opinion, is 

 but a mere form. On April 13, 1889, a specimen of fi/grrwas 

 found in copulation with one of the typical platyrhinus, while 

 but a foot or two awa\' was another platyrhinus. When 

 separated they opened wide their mouths, turned on their 

 backs, and coiled and twisted about in a very rapid and curi- 

 ous manner for about five minutes, when they became quiet 

 and apparently lifeless. During all these contortions they 

 had remained on their backs, and when they became quiet and 

 were turned over they would immediately turn on their backs 

 again, but otherwise gave no signs of life, even at the end of 

 an hour's time. By every one except the student of herpe- 

 tology this is considered one of the most venemous of snakes, 

 but by experience I know that its bite is no more painful 

 than that of a mouse. 



CROTALID.*;. 



No specimens of this family have been seen by the writer 

 within the county, and hence none are included in the cata- 

 logue. If, however, the snake stories of the older inhabitants 

 can be relied upon, two species of rattlesnakes and the cop- 

 perhead were once frequently to be found in suitable localities 

 throughout the county. 



I.ACERTILIA. 



SCINCID.*;. 



16. EuMECES FASCiATus, L,. — Blue-tailed Uzard. 



This is the only species of lizard found within the county, 

 and it is not often seen. It frequents dry upland woods, 

 usually hiding" beneath logs and stones, but has been observed 

 on several occasions high up on the trunks of trees. 



TESTUDINATA. 



TRIONYCHID.*:. 



17. Amvda mutica, Le Sueur. — Leather Turtle. 



A single specimen from the Wabash River is in the writer's 

 collection. It is, no doubt, frequently taken by the fisher- 

 men who confound it with the next species, applying the 



