Original Observations on Reptiles and Insects of Texas. 25 



be, I can not agree with Cope that the bite of the smaller ones 

 (meaning smaller species of the Elaps) is innocuous to man and 

 the larger animals. It is to be observed that the Elaps bite 

 differently from the Crotalids and Viperids. The latter snake 

 throws its head forward in striking, and draws it back again im- 

 mediately. The Elapes fulvie I have seen and heard about 

 acted in an entirely different manner. The poor Swede above 

 mentioned had to pull the snake from the wound, and other 

 specimens that I have induced to bite into sticks, kept the stick 

 in the mouth for a good while. This habit probably signifies 

 an intention to press as much poison into the wound as possible, 

 which makes the snake the more dangerous. Elaps fulvius 

 is, however, a good-natured snake, and it does not bite unles? 

 it is very much provoked- If not handled too roughly, an 

 Elaps may be allowed to crawl on one's hands, from one to the 

 other. I have allowed it myself once, but I hardly think I would 

 do it again, and would not advise any one else to try it. 



The many species of water snakes occasionally en- 

 countered in our creeks, tanks and rivers are often con- 

 founded with the genuine moccasin, which is equally as poi- 

 sonous and even more treacherous than the rattlesnake, as it 

 gives no warning signal. Our Texas moccasin is a rathei 

 small snake (not longer than two or three feet), with dark and 

 rather thick body, lead-colored scales, piercing eyes, black and 

 yellowish-white striped along abdomen, and it has a very broad 

 heart-shaped head supplied with slightly curved and long poison 

 fangs. The head part of such a snake, slightly magnified, is 

 shown in our photo reproduction. 



In the United States National Museum Report, Prof. Cope 

 mentions : "Three species of this genus are known. They 

 are snakes of robust habit and their bite is highly dangerous 

 One is terrestial in habit and the others semi-aquatic. It ex- 

 tends from southwest Virginia to the Rio Grande, and through- 

 out Florida. It ascends the Mississippi to middle Illinois and 

 the Ohio to the Wabash river. It inhabits swamps and the 

 borders of water courses, and catches fish with ease. It gener- 

 ally seeks the water when disturbed, and will turn on the pur- 

 suer when cornered. Its bite is very dangerous." 



This statement that the moccasin pursues its victim, 

 I can corroborate; in one instance, when a farmer was 



