The Green Snakes 



It is under these flat stones, generally close to the hedges 

 surrounding a meadow, that the eggs may be found. These 

 are considerably more elongated than of the majority of miparous 

 snakes, and are covered with so thin an integument that it is 

 dented upon the slightest pressure of the finger. About a dozen 

 eggs seem to be the maximum number deposited. 



On August 14th the writer found four eggs of a Green Snake, 

 on a high ledge, in Sullivan County, New York. The eggs were 

 under a flat stone and had been deposited in a hollow scooped 

 out of the disintegrated lichens and moss, by the female. The 

 stone was very warm, being exposed to the full rays of the sun 

 for the greater part of the day. These eggs were very elongate, 

 and adhesive in pairs. Their covering was so translucent that 

 the dark embryo (nearly ready to hatch) could readily be dis- 

 cerned. The young snakes emerged on the 25th of August. 

 They were 4I inches in length, very dark olive above and greenish 

 white beneath. About an hour after birth each shed a very 

 thin skin, after which process they were very lively and prowled 

 into every crevice of their cage. 



3^6 



