52 
roundings. Then later in the season when 
food is comparatively plentiful another ‘ slough’ 
is shed, and towards the close of the warm 
term still another one may be ‘cast’ even by 
large full grown specimens. In captivity, 
where plentiful supplies of natural food are at 
hand to be enjoyed without the exertion nec- 
essary to secure prey in a wild state, I have 
known very large specimens of black snakes, 
water adders and garter snakes to ‘cast’ four 
or even five ‘sloughs’ in a geason.” 
“Why is it true that in my numerous ram- 
bles over Nature’s expanses of field and forest, 
meadow and marsh and along the banks of 
streams, I seldom find a perfect ‘shed’ snake 
skin ? ” 
“Tt is true, my Fritz, that rarely indeed, will 
even an observant rambler secure a perfect 
‘slough’ in his walks abroad. This is ex- 
plained by the fact that a snake while casting 
its “slough ’ and pushing its way through rank 
vegetable growths to aid in the process, almost 
invariably tears the skin and leaves portions of 
it here and there as torn off by the grass or 
weeds. Allow me to show you my collection 
of ‘shed’ snake skins, all of which are perfect 
because my careful assistance during the pro- 
cess of ‘shedding’ prevented the usual severe 
treatment the skins receive when ‘cast’ in a 
natural manner. Here, you see, I have a fine 
assortment ranging from a foot to nearly seven 
feet in length. This fine large one, which ig 
