A SUMMER AT HOME. 217 



both garter- snakes ; one cross and stout, the other, 

 slender and amiable. The temperaments, as given, 

 never vary a particle. You never find the short, thick 

 species otherwise than ill-tempered; nor the slender 

 one other than gentle. I took them up in my hands, 

 and tried to explain to them, by action, that they had 

 nothing to fear. The amiable serpent was soon con- 

 vinced, although willing to depart if I would pern^t. 

 Not so the otlier. Every caress was met with a bite, 

 or an attempt, for the creature's teeth could not get 

 through my skin. Letting the slender snake wander at 

 wull, 1 set about taming the ill-natured one; but after 

 a good two hours' trial, it still was unwilling to be con- 

 trolled in any way, and I let it go. Turning about, 

 what was my surprise to see the other, within a few 

 feet of where I had been sitting. I stooped to pick it 

 up, and it offered no resistance, but seemed to be 

 pleased with the attention. Placing it gently upon the 

 grass, I stepped forward a few paces, and, looking round, 

 found that it was following me. 



It is a curious phenomenon in the psychology of ser- 

 pents, that this marked difference in disposition should 

 occur in species of the same genus. These two garter- 

 snakes are very abundant and do not differ in any dis- 

 coverable feature in their habits; yet the difference as 

 pointed out is noticeable to the most casual observer. 



Occasionally individuals of ill-tempered species have 

 been known to be amiable. I was lately told the fol- 

 lowing incident : A gentleman noticed an enormous 

 black snake lying stretched out at full length on the top 

 rail of a fence, sunning himself. Approaching closely, 



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