HETERODONPLATIRHINOS. 99 



alternate with them. Sometimes the spots of the lateral and vertebral lines are 

 confluent, so as to give the appearance of bands. 



Dimensions. Length of head, l^ inches; breadth of head, when not disturbed, 

 1 inch; length of body, 27 inches; length of tail, 5 inches; circumference of body, 

 4h inches. In the individual here described, there were one hundred and forty- 

 four abdominal plates entire, and two bifid plates near the vent; and forty-two 

 pair of subcaudal scales. 



Habits. The Heterodon platirhinos is a harmless snake, choosing moist places 

 and feeding on toads, small reptiles and insects. Though a harmless, yet it is a 

 bold animal when disturbed; it coils itself after the manner of the rattlesnake, 

 though not so closely, assumes a threatening attitude, by flattening the head and 

 three or four inches of the neck, which it lifts and waves with an undulating 

 motion, hissing loudly at the same time; he projects his head Avith a sudden 

 motion, as if to bite any object presented to him. It is remarkable, however, I 

 have never seen him bite or lay hold of the object, at least in the many times that 

 I have tried the experiment. It may be worried with the end of a walking stick 

 or cane, or pushed roughly from place to place, yet cannot be provoked to open 

 its mouth, though it often advances its head with a threatening air towards the 

 object in his way. At times it exhibits the instinct of some insects to remain 

 perfectly quiet and motionless, as if dead, to elude its tormentor; in this state it 

 will remain several minutes. The first time this phenomenon came under my 

 observation, I thought the animal had been unintentionally killed by rough 

 handling; and it was only after witnessing the same thing in many others that I 

 came to the conclusion that it was done at will. 



Geographical Distribution. The Heterodon platirhinos is found in all the 

 Atlantic states from New Hampshire to Florida. I have also received specimens 

 from Alabama and Louisiana; it no doubt inhabits the western states generally. 

 Dr. Pickering informs me that he has seen them from as far west as the Engineer 

 cantonment on the Missouri. It is probable that the heterodon annulatus of 



