84 GILPIN ON THE SERPENTS OF NOVA SCOTIA. 



though he may be found in swamps and borders of rivers in search 

 of frogs. He is often seen basking in the sun coiled upon warm 

 rocks, in company with the green snake (C vernalis). 



In my observation they seemingly never recognize each other, 

 even of their own species, when even crossing each other's bodies in 

 confinement, though others have informed me they have seen them 

 coiled together in struggling groups during their breeding season or 

 in torpid masses hybernating. " Two men," says the Kentville 

 Farmer 1875, "ploughing in a field near Kentville, rooted up a 

 large stump, under which they found a coil of snakes numbering 

 forty-five, in a torpid state." Their powers of penetration into the 

 ground are small, nor can they penetrate below " the frost" or 32° 

 Fah., at which temperature the moisture from the surface is frozen 

 to the depth of three or four feet in our climate. They therefore 

 get beneath rocks and old stumps, or choose the soft soil of an old 

 ant-hill. Mr. Stayner of Halifax, informed me that early in 

 October, near town, in passing an ant-hill he pushed his cane into 

 it and forced out a torpid snake. Keturning to the spot he turned 

 out above sixty of various sizes and species, including E. sirtalis, 

 C. vernalis, D. punctatus, and E. occipitomaculatus, a common 

 instinct seemingly bringing all species together. 



Of this innocent species, it may be said he inhabits our Province 

 in very considerable numbers, that he is seen in April, thawing 

 out his winter's torpid sleep in the warm sun, — in August is seen 

 with his little group of young which accompany their mother, and 

 in danger received into her belly, and coached away — and in Octo- 

 ber retires again to the earth. 



The Black Snake. 

 Bascanion constrictor. B. & G. 

 This snake is exceedingly rare in our Province, and I am indebt- 

 ed to Mr. J. M. Jones, F. L. S., for the only adult specimen I 

 have identified. Mr. Downs had recognized it, and the various 

 stories of large snakes from many sources could only have been 

 referred to it. Mr. Jones' specimen was of moderate size, and 

 agreed perfectly with the description of Buird & Girard, (Smith- 





