CLASS-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY. 95 



army of Attilius Regulus, and which, after devouring 

 several soldiers, and in other ways killing a number of 

 them, was at length destroyed by the force of military en- 

 gines and showers of stones. This snake was regarded 

 by the whole army as a more formidable enemy than even 

 Carthage itself. The skin of the monster, he says, 

 measured 120 feet in length, and was sent to Rome as a 

 trophy. 



§ 392. The Black-snake (Coluber Constrictor) is three 

 feet long, bluish-black above, slate-colored, or bluish-white, 

 below ; the margin of the jaws, chin, and throat white ; 

 and is found from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada. 



§ 393. The Black-snake is not venomous, but it is a 

 wild and bold animal, which will pursue an enemy. It 

 climbs trees in search of eggs and birds ; it feeds also on 

 frogs, toads, and the larger insects. 



§ 394. The Milk-snake (Coluber eximius) is about two 

 feet long, covered with numerous chestnut-colored spots, 

 bordered with black, and is an inhabitant of the United 

 States, where it is found upon trees and in cellars and 

 dairies. It is entirely harmless. 



§ 395. The Copperhead, (Trigonocephalus Contortrix,) 

 or Moccasin, Red Adder, or Red Viper, is about two feet 

 long, copper-brown above, with reddish-brown bands, and 

 is an inhabitant of the Southern, Western, and Middle 

 States, it is very venomous. 



§ 396. The Water-snakes live in the sea and even in 

 the mouth of rivers, where they become dangerous to 

 those who are bathing. They are distinguished from the 

 other snakes by having a flat, compressed tail. They are 

 most venomous, from two to twelve feet long, and inhabi- 

 tants of the tropics. 



§ 397. The existence of a gigantic Sea-Serpent in the 

 northern seas was for several centuries believed by many 

 persons, but denied by the greater part of naturalists ; 

 yet it has many arguments in its favor. As there have 

 been created among Mammalia, the diminutive Mouse and 

 the gigantic Black Whale ; among Birds, the Humming- 

 bird and the colossal Ostrich ; among Fishes, the Sardin 

 and the thirty-feet-long Shark, it is not improbable that 



