B. NATURAL HISTORY. 11 



I have been told of two instances where a large snake was found 

 to contain one of smaller size, which in its turn had within it a 

 number still more diminutive. This may be easily explained by 

 supposing the parent snake, after affording the usual protection to 

 its young brood, to have been swallowed by some hungry reptile 

 of larger size. 



The American Indians seem to have had some knowledge of 

 this peculiar habit of the rattlesnake. Among the many legends 

 collected by Maj. J. W. Powell, U. S. Geologist, in his researches 

 among the Fai Utes, is one giving the origin of the echo. An old 

 sorceress was suspeeted of wrong doing and was pursued by her 

 enemies until in desperation she sought aid from her grandfather, 

 "Takoa," the rattlesnake. His only resource was to open his 

 mouth and allow the old witch to crawl in out of sight and out of 

 danger. She was so well pleased with her safe retreat that she 

 could not be induced to leave it, so the rattlesnake had to crawl 

 out of his skin and leave her within. And there, say the Pai 

 Utes, she remains to this clay, and when any one calls she mock- 

 ingly repeats their words from her hiding place in the cast off 

 snake-skin. 



This curious tradition, even if it cannot be counted as evidence, 

 shows in an interesting way the wide prevalence of this belief. 



There is much need of other observations, to determine what 

 species of American snakes have this singular habit. Thirty-four 

 of the observations relate to Eutwnia; the habit is probably 

 shared by all the species, but is only well attested for the garter 

 snake (Eutcenia sirtalis) and the ribbon-snake (Eutcenia saurita) . 

 Seventeen refer to the water-snake (Tropidonotus sipedon). Nine 

 refer to the banded rattlesnake (Caudisona horrida), two to 

 the copperhead (Ancistrodon contortrix) , three to the moccason 

 (Ancistrodon piscivorus) and one to the massasauga (Crotalus ter- 

 geminus). Does the habit extend throughout the Crotalidce? 

 One instance is given for the blowing-adder (Heterodon platyrhi- 

 nos) and three for the mountain black snake (Coluber Allegha- 

 niensis). Six relate to the so-called "black snake," but this name 

 is too indefinite. With all deference to Mr. Buckland, I believe 

 the case of the viper (Pelias berus) to be settled, as well as that 

 of Zootoca. Whether the male snake ever protects the young in 

 this way has not been observed. 



It is a noteworthy fact, which may or may not prove an im- 

 (184) 



