104 



two forms copulating together (94, 1891, 32). Mr. Quick, of Brook- 

 ville, tells of a similar case. 



This is a short-bodied and clumsy snake. It has a peculiar habit, 

 •when it is disturbed, of flattening out its head and anterior part of the 

 body, so that it has quite a formidable appearance. It is said to inflate 

 the skin of the head and neck, but it is doubtful if it really does this. 

 When enraged it hisses loudly, and this has given origin to the bame, 

 *' blowing adder." The snake has a very bad reputation among the peo- 

 ple, as is shown by the names "adder" and "viper." Long ago a 

 •writer said of it: " When approached it becomes flat, appears of diflfer- 

 «nt colors, and opens its mouth hissing. Great caution is necessary not 

 to enter the atmosphere which surrounds it. It decomposes the air, 

 which imprudently inhaled induces languor. The person wastes away, 

 Vthe lungs are afiected, and in the coui'se of four months he dies of con- 

 sumption." The popular notion about this snake even yet is that it is 

 very poisonous, and that it can even spit venom. This bad reputation 

 may be due to its resemblance to some of the poisonous snakes, and to 

 the great show of bravery which the snake often indulges in. It is, on 

 the contrary, regarded by herpetologists as one of the most harmless of 

 •our serpents. At the base of its upper jaws there is on each side a long 

 tooth, which some have supposed might act as a poison fang. It has no 

 «canal or groove, is not connected with any known source of poison, and 

 is, moreover, so far back that it is hard to see how it could be used in 

 striking an eneny. It would be of immense advantage in swallowing 

 frogs. A number of scientific men have reported that they have allowed 

 themselves to be bitten by this snake and have received no harm. When 

 attacked it spreads out its head and body, utters a hiss, and presents a 

 threatening appearance. However, when it is tormented it will feign 

 death, souietimes turning over on its back and remaining motionless, and 

 will repeat this action. 



Prof. W. S. Blatchley says of two, a black one and a spotted one, 

 which he disturbed, " that they opened wide their mouths, turned on 

 their backs and coiled and twisted about in a very rapid and curious 

 ananner 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 imme- 

 •diately turn on their backs again, but otherwise gave no signs of life, even 

 ;at the end of an hour's time." 



This species is said to prefer dry and dusty fields ; but Dr. C. C. Ab- 

 bott found them in spring along ditch banks looking out for Cricket-frogs, 

 which a dissection showed that the snakes had been eating. Much ap- 

 pears to be unknown about the habits of this snake, as of most others. 

 What is the use of the sharp-edged, pointed snout? Is it used in bur- 

 rowing? Or is it employed in rooting up the ground in search of insects 



