AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES. I51 
double or till about first third of length of snake in several irregu- 
lar series, and then uniserial medianly to base of tail. These 
markings all more or less chevron-shaped at first, and all edged 
with dusky to blackish, or their edges mostly sprinkled with 
dusky to blackish dots. On lower surface of tail colors become 
more mottled. Iris dilute pale olive. Two of these snakes were 
found in a fresh-water pond at the edge of the salt-marsh at 
Palermo, April 15th, 1906, by G. Z. Hartman, T. D. Keim and 
myself. 
Abundant, and usually found along the banks of streams or 
ponds where it can easily take refuge in the water. It is pug- 
naceous, and if surprised or cornered, will strike wildly about, 
and though feared and immediately killed by most persons its 
bite is but a scratch. The adult attains on the average about a 
yard in length. It is a good swimmer and may frequently be 
seen Swimming in considerable bodies of water. Here it feeds 
on fishes and will sometimes pursue and capture good-sized 
cat fish. It also will capture frogs, mice and toads. About 
Dennisville, in Cape May County, most persons seem to think 
2 varieties of this snake occur, and it also is the case in some 
other localities. Usually one is described as reddish with dark 
blotches, and the other darker or more uniformly brown with 
obscure blotches. These are, I think, largely conditions of age. 
I have also observed it at Cape May about the fresh pools along 
the edges of the salt-marsh. Dr. Abbott says he found 1 at Lake 
Hopatcong which was between 5 and 6 feet in length, though the 
maximum size about Prenton is 4 feet. ‘They feed on fish and 
frogs, and travel to the uplands, especially in the spring, though 
in the meadows they are the most abundant snake. When old 
they appear to become duller, only brightening in color some- 
what as they shed the skin. In disposition they are savage and 
vicious. He also states that they have been known to bite the 
teats of the cows which fact has given rise to the belief that they 
have sucked them for the milk. This was known, however, only 
when the cows waded in the streams in warm weather to rid 
themselves of insect pests, or enjoy the refreshing cool water. 
A ball of about a dozen or more was reported in the mud in 
