154 FOOTING IT IN FRANCONIA 



ored, red-bellied snakes, each with two or 

 three spots on the back of its head. One of 

 these pretty creatures the collector proceeded 

 to mesmerize by rubbing its crown gently 

 with a stick. " See ! he enjoys it," she said ; 

 and if thrusting out the tongue is a sign of 

 enjoyment, no doubt he was in something 

 like an ecstasy. Storeria occiintomaculata^ 

 the books caU him. Short snakes, Hke smaU 

 orchids, are well pieced out with Latinity. 

 I would not disturb the savor of raspberries 

 by trying just then to put my tongue round 

 that specific designation, though it goes trip- 

 pingly enough with a little practice, and is 

 plain enough in its meaning. One did not 

 need to be a scholar, or to look twice at the 

 snake, to see that its occiput was maculated. 

 At the top of the hill — for we took the 

 first turn to the left — " creation widened," 

 and we had before us a magnificent prospect 

 westward, with many peaks of the Green 

 Mountains beyond the valley. Atmosphere 

 so transparent as to-day's was not made for 

 nothing. Insects and even raspberries were 

 for the moment out of mind. There was 

 glory everywhere. We looked at it, but 



