I5t 



during wliicii month they double in size. In July the yolk is grow- 

 ing smaller and the embryos become one and one-half inches in 

 length. In August the embryo continues to enlarge until it reaches 

 the length of six inches or a little more, and practically absorbs 

 the yolk. In September the yolk is not left, and the young snake 

 reaches the length of eight and one-half inches, at which time it 

 is born. 



No. 12. Callopeltis ohsoletus (Say). Pilot Snake. Plate XXX. . 



— ORAWH BY WlU_R.W*l.TOhf— » 



Fig. 11. — Structural characteis of Pilot Snake. 



This is the species that should properly be called the Pilot Snake, 

 although the name "Pilot'' has been given to two or three other 

 species, especially to the Hog-nosed Adder (No. 21) and the Cop- 

 perhead {No. 22). This confusion of common names has lead to 

 the erroneous ])opular belief that this snake is poisonous. We 

 occasionally see articles in the papers, especially from the eastern 

 l)art of the State, stating that persons have been bitten by Pilot 

 Snakes. Upon investigation we have learned that the Copper- 

 head v/as the one that was meant, and in the region from which 

 the report was circulated it is wrongly called the "Pilot." 



This is one of the two large dark-colored inakes commonly called 

 Blacksnakes (Schwartze Schlange, Pennsylvania German), and i« 

 distinguished at once from the other species of Blacksnake (No. 



