304 APPENDIX. 
ings; and I am inclined to think the marking and 
general hue of the snake depends in a great degree 
on the nature of the rocks, or colour of the ground 
whereon it lives. 
I never once saw the rattlesnake attempt to spring 
at or attack either man, dog, or horse. I have again 
and again teased a large rattlesnake with a twig, but 
never succeeded in provoking to attack me. Very 
sluggish in all its movements, and remarkably fond of 
creeping in the dust. 
The Indian women use the rattle of the snake, both 
on the east and west side of the Rocky Mountains, 
either to produce abortion, or, as ergot of rye (Secale 
cornutum), is used by physicians to produce uterine 
contraction. The rattle has evidently some specific 
effect on the uterine tissues. I do not think there is 
more than one species west of the Rocky Mountains. 
BAScANION VETUSTUS. (Baird and Girard.) 
The Green Racer. 
This snake I obtained at Sumass and Chelukweyuk 
prairies, and along the Bndy. Line east of the Cascades. 
Its favourite haunt appears to be in the thin brush 
skirting the edges of open prairie land, and the princi- 
pal part of its time in the summer appears to be passed 
in the bushes, up the stems of which it climbs with 
great ease and celerity; when there, it lazily basks away 
its time coiled round a branch. I suspect tree frogs 
and insect larve constitute its usual food.* 
* Vide Vol. I. 
