44 Catalogue of the Reptiles of Connecticut. 



Family Crotalidce. 



*30. Trigonocephalus contortrix, Linn., Copper-head, Strat- 

 ford, Hartford and Litchfield. 



*31. Crotalus durissus, Linn., Banded Rattle Snake, Weston. 



*30. The copper-head, called also chunk-head, red snake, &c. is occasionally- 

 found in most parts of Connecticut. One was killed in Stratford this season, two 

 in Trumbull, one in Litchfield, &c. I saw one some years since in Northford, 

 which was found stretched at full length under a fruit tree, where a child had 

 been passing around for fruit. I should judge he was at least two inches in diam- 

 eter. Mr. Benjamin Beers of Stratford, who informed me of the two individuals 

 of this species killed this season in Trumbull, says his father was bitten by one, 

 and though very dangerously ill, was cured by drinking horehound (Marrubium 

 vulgare) and applying it to the wound. The father said that every thing he put 

 in his mouth after the wound of the snake tasted sweet. Mr. B. has often made 

 this species of snake bite a white rag tied at the end of a pole or stick, and says 

 the rag is instantly colored green, extending to the size of a cent. While harm- 

 less snakes are always still at night, this snake, as well as the rattlesnake, is found 

 as active as at any time in the day. 



*31. The rattlesnake is not common in Connecticut, though found perhaps in 

 more than half the towns in the state. There is a large den of them in Weston. 

 I have seen a few specimens in Litchfield County, uncommonly large. We have 

 but one species and that much less common than formerly. But in Georgia and 

 Florida there are four or five species of this dreaded animal. The C. adamantms 

 of Holbrook is found from six to eight feet in length. These are often killed by- 

 common deer, which leap on them with all four feet touching each other and off 

 so quick that the snake has no power to bite, and this the deer repeats until he 

 completely despatches him. Mr. George Walter assures me that he witnessed 

 this fact this season in Missouri, while secreted in the bushes near the operation. 



Capt. Richard F. Floyd of Georgia, quite distinguished as a naturalist and a 

 great observer of this genus of animals, has tried many experiments upon them, 

 some of which are very interesting. He had several individuals of living rattle- 

 snakes, one of which was seven feet eight inches in length, (of the adamantius 

 species probably.) He wrote to me that it was confined in a barrel seven weeks, 

 during which time it neither ate or drank. During its confinement the barrel was 

 placed in the farthest corner of a large room, and although (he says) " I made very- 

 frequent attempts to approach the barrel stealthily, both by day and by night, I 

 was unable to get nearer than the entrance of the door, without its rattling. I 

 tried it in stocking feet in the most silent and cautious manner, but always with 

 the same results — its rattles always proclaiming its knowledge of my approach, 

 and increasing from at first a slow measured shaking to their full play, as I came 

 nearer its prison. Rattlesnakes seem however to vary much in their disposi- 

 tions, and I have seen them in one or two instances, when at large, that could 

 neither be provoked to rattle or coil, (their coiling and rattling being generally 

 simultaneous,) but would use every means to escape." [I suppose this fact arises 

 from a consciousness of deficiency in their poisonous secretions at the time.] 

 " Among other experiments, we made one with a young alligator two and a half 

 feet long. It was placed near the snake and made every effort to turn and escape, 

 and evinced much alarm. Upon its being forced within striking distance, the 

 snake bit it twice upon the head. In one minute after, the alligator appeared to 



