14 CHECK LIST OF THE 



GENUS LAMPROPELTIS. 



(13) Lampropeltis doliatus. 



(Milk Snake, Spotted Adder.) 



This is a very variable species, its varieties running by degrees into 

 extremes, which bear little resemblance to the type form. 



The northern variety, which is very common and generally distributed 

 through this Province, is L. d. triangulus. 



It is very harmless and useful, feeding largely on field mice and voles. 

 Prof. Cope says he once found a specimen of this species which had cap- 

 tured a family of meadow mice, which it held in the following manner : 

 One it had swallowed, one it was in the act of swallowing, and two others 

 were securely held in two turns of its body so tightly as to render them 

 incapable of biting their captor. They also feed to a certain extent upon 

 frogs and toads and in so doing lessen their economic value slightly, but 

 on the whole they are decidedly beneficial to the farmer and should be pro- 

 tected. 



GENUS HETERODON. 



(14) Heterodon platirhinos. 



(Blowing Adder, Spreading Adder.) 



Not common, though generally distributed. When teased this snake 

 depresses and expands its head, hissing and presenting a threatening 

 appearance, causing many people to believe it to be venomous, but it is 

 quite harmless. Its food consists largely of mice, frogs and toads. Occa- 

 sionally very dark, almost black, specimens are found. 



FAMILY CROTALID^i. (THE RATTLESNAKES.) 



The species comprised in this family are the only poisonous snakes 

 occurring in Ontario and they are now very rare in all parts of the Pro- 

 vince except some few restricted localities near Lake Erie and the Geor-' 

 gian Bay. When the country was first settled they were common enough, 

 particularly so in rocky regions. The banks of the Niagara River and the 

 face of what is known as the Hamilton mountain having been, formerly, 

 among their favorite resorts. The introduction of pigs into the country 

 was probably one of the chief factors in the destructon of these dangerous 

 creatures. For. as is well known, pigs can kill and eat Rattlesnakes with 

 impunity. It is supposd that the poison of the snake cannot be sufficiently 

 introduced into the circulation to cause death owing to the thick layer of 

 fat with which the domesticated pig is covered. 



There is a common, but erroneous, idea, that one new segment is 

 added to the number on a Rattlesnake's tail each year. The fact is the 

 number varies, as many as four have been observed to be acquired in a 

 single year. The terminal segments, too, are constantly being worn off, 

 so that the number of segments present is no indication of the age of the 

 snake. 



