OPHIDIANS. 513 



as to number and shape, afford good specific distinctions. The 

 Colubridse are mostly oviparous and carnivorous. 



The leading genera of this family as found so numerously in 

 the United States, are Coluber and Tropidonotus, (Gr. tropis, a 

 keel ; ndtos, back.) 



The genus Coluber includes most of the larger familiar spe- 

 cies which have smooth scales, without the keel, or longitudinal 

 ridge along the center, which appears in the Tropidonotus. The 

 body is usually slender and cylindrical. The snakes of this 

 genus are rarely seen in water ; they deposit their eggs in de- 

 cayed wood, sand, or other localities. 



Of the well known species found in the United States are (1) 

 the CHAIN SNAKE, C. getulus, from its quick movements also 

 called the racer ; length four to six feet ; (2) the MILK SNAKE, 

 C. eximius, (Lat. select or distinguished,) sometimes, from its 

 chestnut colored spots and light colored ground, called the 

 Chequered Adder; also named the House Snake; it is not un- 

 frequently found in dairies and cellars in which milk is kept, 

 which it is said to seek with avidity ; length two to five feet; (3) 

 the GRASS SNAKE, or Green Snake, (see Chart,) C. vernalis, 

 (Lat. vernal,) is found from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania, has 

 been numerous in the marshes about Salina and Cayuga, (N. Y. ;) 

 length from twelve to twenty-four inches ; (4) the RINGED SNAKE, 

 C. punctatus, (Lat. dotted,) (see Chart;) it emits a disagreeable 

 odor ; occurs from Maine to Louisiana, under rocks and the 

 bark of decayed trees ; length twelve to eighteen inches ; (5) 

 BLACK SNAKE, C. constrictor, (Lat. one who binds together); 

 abundant in all parts of the land and from three to six feet in 

 length. It climbs trees with great facility, and moves very rap- 

 idly over the ground. This, as well as the species above men- 

 tioned, is called the Racer, on account of its pursuit of terror- 

 stricken persons fleeing before it, an enemy it were wiser reso- 

 lutely to face. Its climbing power renders it formidable to birds 

 and young squirrels in their nests. It has been supposed to ex- 

 ert a fascinating influence over birds ; we have already inti- 

 mated that the unusual actings of a bird in its presence may be 

 occasioned chiefly by the danger threatening its brood, which 

 the reptile might devour at a single meal ; (6) C. Alleghaniensis, 

 is -a larger species of Black Snake, from five to eight feet in 

 length, said, however, to be much more gentle than the other, 

 seldom showing any disposition to bite, which the Common Black 

 Snake is very likely to do. Both of these species, and indeed 

 all the Colubrines in North America, are non. venomous and 

 harmless. The Black Snakes and some of the other larger spe- 



