eRe ee ee ett 
1876.] Zoblogy. 493 
Botanische Zeitung, No. 19. W. Velten, On Electricity in Plants. 
No.20. Ascheron, Phytographic notices. No. 21. Ascheron, On Ma- 
lagnetta Pepper. No, 22. Areschoug, On certain Rubi. No. 23. De 
Borbás, Conspectus of doubtful species of Dianthus. No. 24. Philipi, On 
Sandal-Wood of Juan Fernandez. On Primula pistiifolia, Gris. No. 
25. Reuther, On the development of the flower. No. 26. Continuation 
ofthe last. In the above numbers there are several interesting reports 
of scientific meetings which will be hereafter noticed. 
ZOOLOGY. 
A TRUE “Snake Srory.”— The article in the March number on 
“A Snake-Eating Snake ”’ recalls to memory an incident which occurred 
to me last year, showing that such reptiles are found nearer home than 
Costa Rica. In walking through a cañon about two miles east of Oak- 
land, Cal., one spring morning, I met with a fine specimen of the Cali- 
fornia milk-snake (Lampropeltis Boylit, figured in Pacific Railroad Re- 
port as Coronella balteata, x. 14, Plate V). Having disabled it by 
a blow across the back, I wrapped it in paper and put it in a bag, in- 
tending, when I sat down to rest, to skin it, and to examine the contents 
of its much-distended stomach. About noon I opened the paper and was 
hot a little startled to find that my milk-snake, so strongly characterized 
by alternating belts of black and white, was apparently transformed into 
4 garter-snake of about the same size, with longitudinal stripes. 
The first impression was that I had got hold of one of the deceiving 
tribes of the “old serpent” himself, but recalling the scientific coolness 
with which Cuvier is said to have confounded him when under the dis- 
guise of horns and hoofs, I ventured to look closer, and found that the 
garter-snake must have been swallowed whole by the milk-snake, which, 
on recovering from the stunning blow I gave, had disgorged its prey; 
then succeeded in crawling through a hole in the bag. All this 
Would not have seeméd so strange if the two snakes had not been so 
nearly of a size that I did not at first notice any difference. As I recol- 
lect, the garter-snake was over two feet long, but being damaged, and a 
common species, I did not preserve it. I had not captured any of the kind 
en” nor any other snake except the milk-snake. — J. G. COOPER, 
oo Bank SWALLOW” AGAIN. — Regarding the instance in which 
Ts 
y Dr. Coues, it may be fairly questioned whether the species was not 
the Tough-winged swallow (Stelyiodpteryx serripennis), which is much 
common in many parts of the country, particularly in the Missis- 
oe Faller, than the other species. The habits and appearance of the 
Wo bi 
are so similar that they are very often confounded, even by good 
and experienced observers ; besides, it is well known that the rough-wing 
