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There are but two species of poisonous snakes in the 

 northern half of the country ^ — small Rattlesnakes and 

 the Copperhead. Both of these are very dangerous and 

 should be avoided, — an easy matter since they are not com- 

 mon, are found usually only in rocky ground or ledges 

 where few go unless in search of them, and thej- always 

 warn one of their presence before striking. The "rattler" 

 warns by shaking the horny rattles on the tip of the tail, 

 making a whirring sound like the rapid rustling of dried 

 leaves. The Copperhead makes a similar sound by rapid- 

 ly vibrating the tip of his tail among the leaves. Both of 

 these species will glide away and escape if possible from 

 man; they strike only in self-defense. All the viparine 

 snakes, to which class the Rattler and Copperhead belong 

 have broad, triangular-shaped heads viewed from above 

 and the tail portion of the body is stout and rather abrubtly 

 pointed; avoid snakes so formed. 



It is not the intention of these sketches to identify the 

 diiferent species ; large volumes would be required to do so. 

 Our aim is rather to show that reptiles as a whole are not 

 creatures to be dreaded, but rather to be admired for most 

 of them occupy quite important places in the economic 

 scheme of Nature. As books devoted to snakes are so 

 very few in number, I will call to the attention of any who 

 are desirous of studying the subject, the "Reptiles" by 

 Raymond L. Ditmars, — a very complete, very readable and 

 comprehensive, and finely illustrated work. 



Snakes are of two kinds, oviparous and viviparous. — the 

 former laying eggs and the latter bringing forth their 

 young alive. Fox Snakes, erroneously called "adders". 

 Black Snakes and Green Snakes lay eggs, while Water 

 Snakes and Striped Garter or Garden Snakes produce liv- 

 ing young. These are the species most commonly found 

 in northern United States and are all perfectly harmless. 



The Black Snake is one of the most active of reptiles, — 

 so active that often it is with difficulty captured. Far from 

 "being the aggressive creature that many like to picture it, 

 it will glide away very rapidly upon our approach and un- 



