368 THE MOUNTAIN. 



for with extreme vigilance, or his death stroke may be 

 the first notice of his presence. But few individuals of 

 this species are found on the mountain, fortunately for its 

 inhabitants. Like the rattlesnake, he obtains possession of 

 his prey by striking it with his erectile poison fangs, waiting 

 until the unfortunate squirrel or bird drops dead, which is 

 generally but a few moments, then slowly swallowing it. 

 The bite of these two serpents is generally fatal, " a com- 

 plete solution of the blood in the whole body being the im- 

 mediate cause of death." Length, sometimes attaining to 

 thirty-four inches. 



Family II. CoLUBRnxas. " Both jaws provided with 

 teeth fully. No anal appendages."* 



EUTAINIA Sirtalis, (B. and Gr.) The striped, or garter 

 snake, is abundant. It preys on toads and frogs, which it 

 seizes and swallows entire. These frogs, when recently 

 swallowed, may be liberated alive by killing and opening 

 the snake soon after the frog has been bolted. When 

 this is done, the frogs generally hop off with as much viva- 

 city as they exhibited before their capture and abdominal 

 imprisonment; no doubt to be ever afterwards delighted 

 by the same order of beautiful reminiscences which enter- 

 tained Jonah after a like experience. This snake, accord- 

 ing to Dekay, is found in the northern part of New York 

 at the height of 2000 feet above the level of the sea. In 

 Pennsylvania it is found on the highest spurs of the Alle- 

 ghany, near 3000 feet above tide level. 



Dekay quotes the EUTAINIA Ordinata as a New York 

 species. 



NERODIA Sipedon, (B. and G.) Vernacular "water-snake." 

 As its name indicates, its habits are aquatic. It is an abund- 

 ant species throughout the State, but not so common on the 

 mountain. Length, generally two feet ; preys upon fish and 

 frogs. 



REGINA Leberis. (?) 



* Baird and Girard. 



