52 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 
black dash extends obliquely backwards from the eye to the angle of the jaws. A rounded 
black spot behind the occiput. Beneath dusky yellowish, or dull whitish. 
Young, of a uniform light ashen grey, with the lateral series of spots black, subquadrate, 
and united with each other across the back by dark-colored bands, with intervening lighter 
ones. Beneath greenish grey, varied with dusky. A short rufous transverse band in front of 
the eyes. Over the eyes, a rufous band; becomes dilated on the sides of the neck. 
Abdominal plates, . 130 - 142. Wencth; sacercee 12°0 — 25°0. 
Caudal plates, .... 42- 48. Wail, se cocerins 2°5- 4:0. 
This well known species has a venomous aspect, particularly when irritated, but is entirely 
harmless. In this State, it has various popular names: Blauser, by the early Dutch settlers, 
from its habit of distending or blowing up the skin of its head and neck ; this property I have 
noticed in very young individuals which I have kept for some time. It is also called Deaf 
Adder, Spreading Adder, Hog-nose and Buckwheat-nose ; the latter from some fancied 
resemblance between that grain and its rostral plate. It is found frequently in dry sandy 
soils ; but I have observed them also in low and wet meadows, apparently in pursuit of frogs, 
etc. It is rather common in the southern parts of this State. It has been noticed in New- 
Hampshire and Massachusetts. It occurs in Michigan, Tennessee, and throughout the 
Western States. Southward it extends to Florida. 
(EXTRA-LIMITAL.) 
H. simus. (Hoxsroox, Vol. 4, pl. 15.) Azygous plate between the frontal, surrounded by 6 - 8 
smaller plates. Grey, with a vertebral series of subquadrate or rounded black spots on transverse 
bars; tail fawn-colored. Abdominal plates, 182; caudal, 39. Length 12-13 inches. Caro- 
linas, Georgia. 
H. mger. (Iv. Vol. 4, pl. 16.) Entirely black; beneath greyish, Body thick and clumsy. Abdo- 
minal plates, 135 - 145; caudal, 50-55. Length three feet. Tennessee, Georgia. 
H. annulatus. (Troost, Ann. Lyc. Vol. 3, p. 188.) Slender. Body surrounded with black and 
yellow rings. Beneath yellowish white. Length 29 inches. Tennessee. 
H. tigrinus. (Ip. Ib. p. 189.) Smaller than preceding. Varied with black and ashen grey. A black 
horseshoe band runs through the eyes to the angle of each jaw. Length 16 inches. An jur? 
Tennessee. 
Oss. Dr. Holbrook considers the two last as varieties of H. platyrhinos. 
