Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 583 



kill every snake on sight is entirely irrational and wholly un- 

 justifiable. 



This creature, like many other snakes, is protected by an 

 abominably sickening odor, not noticeable at a distance but as dis- 

 agreeable a smell as one is apt to encounter. This odor, however, 

 is noticeable only when the snake has been annoyed and has be- 

 come angered. When angry it sometimes flattens out after the 

 fashion of the blowing adder. There is great variation among the 

 individuals of this species found about the lake, and two or more 

 subspecies should probably be recognized. We, however, have 

 grouped them all under the species. 



From all other snakes found about the lake, particularly the 

 riband snake which it most resembles, this species may be readily 

 known by its having the lateral stripe on the second and third 

 instead of on the third and fourth rows of scales. This species is 

 also stouter, the tail being one-fourth the entire length. Color 

 olivaceous, dorsal stripe narrow, obscure; 3 series of small dark 

 spots on each side, about 70 between head and vent ; side and belly 

 greenish; lateral stripe rather broad, but not conspicuous; colors 

 generally duller than in other species; ventral plates 130 to 160. 

 Length 2 to 4 feet. 



4. BUTLER'S GARTER SNAKE 



THAMNOPHIS BUTLERI (Cope) 



This is the rarest of the species of garter snakes which occur 

 at the lake. The only example we have seen was found freshly 

 killed just south of the Indiana boathouse July 23, 1900. 



5. WATER SNAKE 



NATRIX SIPEDON (Linnaeus) 



The Water Snake is a common and well-known snake through- 

 out the whole eastern United States as far westward as Kansas, 

 and is tolerably abundant throughout its range in wet places, such 

 as streams, ponds and lakes. About Lake Maxinkuckee it is to be 

 found along low bits of shore such as that about Norris Inlet and 

 the various other inlets of the lake, and near the Outlet. One of 

 its favorite haunts is that portion of the Outlet between the two 

 lakes. Next to the common garter snake this Water Snake or 

 "moccasin" is the snake most frequently seen about the lake. We 

 have records of numerous examples seen, the earliest date being 

 May 3 and the latest August 29. It is probably most abundant in 

 June. Definite dates are as follows: In 1899, one seen July 11 



