290 RAMBLES ABOUT HOME. 



vision, they resented all interference, and snapped and 

 hissed precisely as an older snake would do. Even the 

 head and neck were distinctly flattened. 



While sensitive, as all snakes are, to cold, these hog- 

 nose serpents appear to have greater powers of endurance 

 than any of the other species that are found in this vicin- 

 ity. They are, I think, the first to make their appearance 

 in spring, and the latest to go into winter-quarters. These 

 quarters are usually burrows of such depth and in such 

 a position as to be beyond the reach of frost, and in them 

 many individuals are congregated. Occasionally differ- 

 ent species of snakes are associated in these subterranean 

 retreats, three or four being often coiled together in an 

 almost globular mass. At such times they are quite 

 inert, and do not revive until exposed to a considerable 

 warmth for several hours. 



An uncommon variety of this species of snake is 

 nearly or quite black, and, being somewhat more vicious 

 in appearance, it has the reputation of being even more 

 dangerous than its mottled black and yellow companions. 

 All the black specimens that I have seen have been very 

 large, and otherwise seemed to be old, and it is my belief 

 that they are merely aged individuals, and not a variety 

 or sub-species. 



Kalm says of the serpents found in New Jersey : " The 

 Rattle-snake, Horned Snakes, red-bellied, green, and other 

 poisonous Snakes, against whose bites there is frequently 

 no remedy, are in great plenty here." This statement is 

 worthy of a moment's consideration. It is correct so far 

 as the poisonous character of the rattlesnake's bite is con- 

 cerned ; but what of the other species he mentions? 

 Possibly his "horned snake" is the hog-nosed serpent 

 about which I have been writing ; or, if not, it may be 

 the mythical hoop-snake to which he refers a snake that 



