HARMLESSNESS OF SNAKES. 209 



but probably all at one time, as they preserve no regu- 

 lar disposition of them, but place them in a promiscuous 

 heap. At the time of protrusion they appear to be sur- 

 rounded with a clammy substance, which, drying in the 

 air, leaves the mass of eggs united wherever they touch 

 each other. I have heard of forty eggs being found in 

 these deposits ; yet, notwithstanding such provision for 

 multitudes, the snake, generally speaking, is not a very 

 common animal. The kite, the buzzard, and the raven, 

 which prey on it occasionally, are too seldom found 

 greatly to reduce the race ; and its deep retirement in 

 the winter seems to secure it from fatal injuries by the 

 severity of the weather : yet in the warm days of spring, 

 when it awakens from its torpidity and basks upon our 

 sunny banks, the numbers that appear are not propor- 

 tionate to what might be expected from the number of 

 eggs produced. Few creatures can assail it in its dor- 

 mitory, yet its paucity proves that it is not exempt from 

 mortality and loss. The mole may follow it in its re- 

 tirement, but would hardly attempt to seize so large an 

 animal. The polecat and the weasel too can enter its 

 runs ; are sufficiently bold and strong to attempt the 

 conquest; and not improbably in the winter season re- 

 sort to such food, the poor snake having no power of 

 defending itself, or of avoiding the assault. The com- 

 mon snake of this country is a very harmless, unobtru- 

 sive creature ; so timid, as to avoid the presence of man 

 whenever he appears, hiding itself as much as possible 

 in bushes and rugged places from his sight. At times 

 a strong fetor proceeds from it ^ but this appears to be 

 sexual, or made use of as the means of annoying its 

 enemies. It possesses no power to commit injury, and 

 has apparently no inclination to molest any thing beyond 

 its requirements for food, as frogs and mice. When a 

 young man, I have repeatedly handled it with impunity ; 

 and though often bitten, a temporary swelling, with 

 slight inflammation, was the only result ; but in these 

 experiments the viper must not be mistaken for the 

 common snake. Yet this poor creature, under the curse 

 of ignorance and cruelty, never escapes unscathed from 

 power and opportunity. All the snake tribe, innocuous 

 S3 



