106 HETERODONNIGBR. 



lateral; the superior is largest. There are two inferior orbital and three posterior 

 orbital, all quadrilateral. The upper jaw has eight lateral plates, all quadrilateral, 

 and increasing in size to the seventh, which is the largest. The nostrils are large, 

 lateral, and near the snout. The eyes are large; the pupil black, the iris very 

 dark gray. The neck is the size of the head, and covered with carinated scales. 

 The body is elongated, but short, thick, and rounded above, flattened at the abdo- 

 men, covered above with larger scales than those of the neck; these are carinated, 

 but less distinctly than those of the Heterodon platirhinos. The tail is long, 

 small, cyhndrical, and pointed at the tip. 



Colour. The colour above is uniformly black; below it is whitish at the throat, 

 and bluish slate-colour on the abdomen and tail. 



Dimensions. Length of head, 1 inch 3 lines; breadth of head, when not flattened, 

 9 lines; length of body, 15i inches; length of tail, 4| inches; circumference of 

 body, 3 inches 2 lines. 



Habits. The Heterodon niger has similar habits to the Heterodon platirhinos, 

 but in general it seems to choose drier places for its abode, and are not uncommon 

 in the pine barren districts. It has the same power of flattening the head and 

 neck, and "threatening with a horrid hiss;" its dark colour, its sinister look and 

 menacing attitude, have led to the common belief of its being a venomous snake. 

 Even Catesby represents it as "having the like fangs of destruction as the rattle- 

 snake." It is, however, a harmless snake, feeding on smaller reptiles. 



Geographical Distribution. The Heterodon niger is rarely found as far north 

 as Pennsylvania, but is one of the most common snakes in the lower part of 

 Carolina and Georgia. I have also received it from Alabama and Louisiana, and 

 there can be little doubt of its existence throughout the western country, as I have 

 Professor Troost's testimony in proof of its belonging to Tennessee. 



General Remarks. There can be no doubt that this animal Avas first described 



