50 GLEANINGS FROM NATURE. 



" spotted water snake " and " water moccasin." About 

 the larger ponds and streams, especially those of 

 southern Indiana, it grows to a large size, reaching a 

 diameter of three inches and a length of five feet; 

 but in the central and northern parts of the State 

 specimens more than four feet long are seldom seen. 

 It is usually given a wide berth, as seven people out 

 of ten believe that its bite will cause certain death. 

 This belief is no doubt caused by the fact that the 



" water moccasin " or " cotton mouth " 

 The Spotted e ,, 

 Water Snake southern orates is a poisonous 



snake, and the common names of the 

 two have become. confounded. Our water moccasin 



Fig. 16 Under side of tail of Spotted Water Snake, showing divided plates 

 or scutes. {After Stejneger.) 



has no fangs whatever, and its bite is never more seri- 

 ous than that of a mouse. It is partial to still waters 

 of considerable 'depth, and seldom frequents streams 

 that have not a bottom of deep, soft mud, in which 

 to take refuge when pursued, and in which it buries 



