302 RAMBLES ABOUT HOME. 



and the pupae of the large black ants that have their 

 nests in rotten wood. 



When captured they offer no resistance, and become 

 apparently reconciled at once to their loss of freedom. 

 They are not of a mild disposition, but quite the contrary, 

 when placed in limited quarters with other snakes. Weak 

 and timid as they are, their distaste for such company 

 rouses in them all the energy they possess, and without 

 hesitation they try to drive off the intruders, even if 

 twice their size and strength. At such times, too, the 

 peculiar, pungent odor belonging to them is particularly 

 noticeable, and I have thought that probably this dis- 

 agreeable scent was exceedingly offensive to other snakes, 

 and was therefore one of the means of defense that they 

 possess. 



The actions of the ring-snake, when placed with other 

 species, has further led me to believe that, notwithstand- 

 ing their offensive smell, the larger snakes occasionally 

 attack and devour these little fellows ; but I have never 

 been fortunate enough to prove this by witnessing an at- 

 tack on the part of a large snake, nor have I ever found 

 the remains of this snake in the stomach of another. 



Another one of our snakes which, from its large size 

 and brilliant markings, is a most attractive feature of dry, 

 upland woods, is the spotted adder, which has been given, 

 strangely enough, the unusual name of " thunder-and- 

 lightning snake." Beyond darting its forked tongue, it 

 never even offers to resent molestation, except under cer- 

 tain circumstances to which reference will shortly be 

 made. 



A few words in regard to serpents' tongues. They 

 are narrow, cylindrical, and forked. When the snake is 

 at all disturbed, the tongue is darted out with great rapid- 

 ity, and this gives the animal a threatening appearance. 



