86 
the ground with lightning-like strokes of its 
finely pointed tail when irritated, as if in imi- 
tation of the warning given by the deadly 
rattlesnake just previous to striking.” 
“Ts not this species commonly called the 
‘racer, from its practice of chasing persons 
who unwarily disturb it?” 
“Yes, my Fritz, it is generally believed that 
the black snake or ‘racer’ as it is commonly 
called, really chases persons, who, startled by 
the sudden appearance of one of these ill-re- 
puted ophidians flee in terror from its presence. 
I have never learned of an authentic case when 
the black snake literally chased a human being. 
I have captured many specimens of this species, 
in one instance securing five fine specimens in 
about five minutes, one of which was over six 
feet in length. Repeatedly I have met well 
grown black snakes in my rambles and though 
I have noticed that they were slow to move at 
my approach, yet when I resolutely advanced 
towards them they invariably attempted to es- 
cape, and I found it necessary to be exceedingly 
quick in my endeavors to seize them. I have 
seen large specimens of garter snakes, water 
snakes and pine snakes when severely irritated 
swiftly glide for a short distance directly at 
their tormentors. So I know no reason why a 
black snake, with its characteristic pugnacious 
disposition, should not do the same thing when 
cornered and teased, but I am hardly able to 
credit the extravagant stories that find circula- 
