CROTALIDA, — CXII. 199 
290. AGKISTRODON Beauvais. (dyxiarpov, hook ; dday, tooth.) 
a. Loral plate present. (Agkistrodon.) 
578. A. contortrix (L.). CoppERHEAD. CoTToN-MOUTH. 
Hazel brown; top of head coppery-red; back with a series of 15 
to 25 \/-shaped blotches; belly yellowish, with 35 to 45 dark spots 
on each side; loral plate present. Scales 23. V.P.150 to 155. 
L. 40. N. E. to Wis. and S. in damp places, becoming rare N.; a 
dangerous reptile. (Lat., one who twists.) 
aa. Loral plate wanting. (7owxicophis.) 
579. A. piscivorus (Holbrook). Water Moccasin. Brack 
Moccasin. Greenish brown with 20 to 30 dark vertical bars, 
often obscure; belly black and yellow, blotched. Scales 21 to 25. 
V. P. 138 to 145. L.50. Aquatic, N.C. to S. Ill, Ark. and S., 
often resting on overhanging bushes over streams watching for 
frogs and fishes. ‘The most dangerous of our snakes. (Lat., fish- 
eating.) 
291. SISTRURUS Garman. (ceiorpor, rattle; odpd, tail.) 
580. S. catenatus (Rafinesque). PrArirIE RATTLESNAKE. 
MassAsauGa. Brown or blackish with about 7 series of about 
34 deep chestuut blotches, these blackish exteriorly and edged with 
yellowish; a yellowish streak from pit to neck ; body sometimes all 
black. Scales 23 to 25. V.P.135 to 150. L.30. Prairies, Ohio 
to Min. and S., abundant in grassy fields where not exterminated. 
Another species (S. miliarius L.) occurs S. (Lat., forming a 
chain.) 
292. CROTALUS Linneus. (kpdradoy, rattle.) 
a. Scales in 23 to 25 rows. 
581. C. horridus L. Common RATTLESNAKE. Yellowish- 
brown of various shades, with 3 rows of confluent irregular brown 
spots, forming zigzag-shaped cross-blotches ; tail black; a pale line 
from mouth to eye with a dark patch below. V. P. 165 to 175. 
L.60. N. Eng. to Rocky Mts. and S. in rocky places; once com- 
mon, but nearly exterminated in well-settled regions. 
aa. Scales in 27 to 29 rows. 
582. C. adamanteus Beauvais. DriaAmMonp RATTLESNAKE. 
Brown, with 3 series of complete brown yellow-edged rhombs. 
V. P. 165 to 180. Va. to Miss. and 8. (Lat., diamond-like.) 
“T only know thee humble, bold, 
Haughty, with miseries untold, 
And the old curse that left thee cold, 
And drove thee ever to the sun 
On blistering rocks... . 
