60 
along this important line of strictly scientific 
investigation. 
The propagation of snakes is especially in- 
teresting from the fact that it is generally con- 
ceded by scientific authorities on this subject 
that snakes are oviparous, viviparous, or ovi- 
viviparous. More simply speaking some spe- 
cies lay eggs, other species give birth and still 
other species either lay eggs or give birth, ac- 
cording as conditions are favorable to either 
mode of generation. Now it is not my purpose 
to discuss the scientific verity of this generally 
accepted belief, but to simply present in as 
lucid manner as possible the results of my per- 
sonal observations on this subject. 
Karly in the spring, soon after awaking from 
its prolonged nap, the adult snake seeks a 
mate. I have been favored on several occa- 
sions with an opportunity to note this interest- 
ing feature in the life-habits of our common 
snakes, but I am unable to present the strictly 
scientific discussion of this subject in a popular 
work of this character. 
In the oviparous snakes the period of gesta- 
tion is about ten weeks, when the female seeks 
a suitable place in which to lay her eggs. 
These are laid in a slight excavation a few 
inches deep in the soft earth where they are left 
to be hatched by the moist heat of their resting 
place. Beneath old stumps of trees, in an open 
field, or along the edge of a wooded district 
bordering an open field, these snake eggs are to 
