402 



VERTEBRATA, 



TIjo Cobn-Snake, C. f/iiltntus, in four feet loiii;; liijlit lirown, with a reddish tinge, above; 

 aloni; thi« hack u row of squarish brick-colored spots ; beneath silver-wliite, with irregular black 

 .s(|uari-s. It conceals itst-if <liiring the <lay, and comes forth early in the morning, or at evening, 

 being often seen along the road-sides. It is gentle and familiar, and lives in the ueighborhood 

 of settlements. Koun<l in North Carolinju 



The Milk-Snake, C. tximius, is three to four feet long; ground color white above, with a 

 scries of duskv blotclies, bonlered with Mack, sometimes giving the animal the appearance of 

 ln'int; l>ande<l with I>iaek and white; the abdomen is silver-white. It is a very handsome species, 

 of a t^entie disposition ; feeils on tield-micc and insects. It approaches the habitations of man 

 without fear, ami is hence sometimes called the House-Snake. It frequents dairies and cellars 

 where milk is kept, and lience derives its common popular name. It is found in New England 

 imtl the Middle States, and the "Western States north of latitude 37°, 



The lNni(;o or GoriiEK Snake, C. Couperi, is from eight to twelve feet long; color bluish-black 

 above; slate-color beneath; an active and powerful species, perfectly harmless, but sometimes 

 assuming a bold and threatening demeanor. It is often found occupying a hole with a species of 

 tortoise called Gopher, whence one of its popular names. Common in the dry pine-hills south of 

 the Alatamaha. It is the largest known species in the United States. 



The (.Jrass or Green Snake, C. vcnia/is, is a small species, twenty inches long, bright green 

 above and yellowish-white beneath. It lives in meadows of high grass, feeds on crickets and 

 grasshoppers, is perfectly harmless, and may be handled with impunity. It is common in the 

 Southern New England and the Northern Middle States. 



The King-Snake, C. pitncfafi/.'^, is twelve or fourteen inches long; color grayish-black above; 

 reddish-yellow beneath ; found in the Atlantic States from Maine to Florida. 



The Pilot Black Snake, C. Aller/kaniensis, six feet long, resembles the common black snake, 

 and is said even to exceed that agile species in swiftness. Dr. De Kay thinks this has given rise to 

 the current idea already alluded to, of a variety of the common black snake, on which the appel- 

 lation of Barer has been bestowed. This species is found along the Alleghany Mountains as far 

 south as Virginia. 



The Chicken-Snake, C. quarivittatus, is four and a half to five feet long ; of a greenish-clay 

 color above, with four longitudinal brown bands ; beneath yellowish. It frequents the vicinity 

 of houses, and is charged with devouring chickens. Found from North Carolina to Florida. 



TUE PYTHON. 



THE BOID^. 

 We now come to the large serpents of tropical countries, which, on account of their enor- 

 mous size and strength, are almost as much to be dreaded as the venomous species. We have 



