1T6 llATTLE SNAKES. 



young retreat for security into the body of tlie 

 mother, although this is confidently contradic- 

 ted, as well in this case' as in the case of the viper. 

 That both are viviparous is certain. 



Round Lake George, on the mountains, there 

 are said to be at least 100 dens. There is one 

 eight miles down the lake on East Mountain, and 

 there are five others two miles from the head of 

 the lake. There are two great dens within six 

 miles of Ticonderoga — one at Rogers' rock, four 

 miles from the foot of the lake ; and the other 

 about three miles ofl*, on the east side of the lake. 

 These snakes generally select a south eastern or 

 sunny ravine on a mountain, for their hybernacu- 

 la. They descend deep into the cavities of rocks, 

 and look out for a position at the head of springs. 

 The vulgar believe that they will not bite in the 

 spring until they have tasted water, and that they 

 have a king distinguished by a carbuncle, and 

 ** which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears 

 a precious jewel in his head." This serpent fre- 

 quently swims across lakes and rivers. Several 

 persons dug for a den on the side of a mountain 

 near Lake George, and after digging 15 feet they 

 were arrested in their pursuit by a great rock, un- 

 der which there were two holes large enough for 

 a man to enter, from which ascended volumes of 

 noxious exhalations, that were attributed to col- 



