I 96 Field and Forest Rambles. 



It is said, however, to have been observed in the south-western 

 parts of the state of Maine, but there is no record of its pre- 

 sence in the province as far as I can discover. The period of 

 activity of many species of reptiles common to this region and 

 more southern latitudes is, of course, relatively very much 

 smaller in the former. Few are seen before the middle of June, 

 and such as frequent the land disappear, for the most part, 

 by the end of August. I have seen several specimens of the 

 Snapping Turtle, which is said to be rather common in many 

 rivers and lakes communicating with the Bay of Fundy. The 

 Painted Turtle is not rare in ponds and streams. I have also 

 seen an individual of the Spotted Emys. The Wood Terrapin 

 is very generally distributed, and is often found in woods at a 

 considerable distance from water. The Musk Tortoise affects 

 ponds and ditches; its very small size (seldom over three 

 inches and a half in length) and strong odour readily dis- 

 tinguish this species. I have not been enabled to identify 

 more turtles, but in a list of the reptiles of Maine* there is 

 included with the above one specimen of- the Box Turtle 

 (Cistudo Virgined). 



The Striped Snake (Eutainia sirtalis) is said to appear 

 about New York towards the end of May ; here it is rarely 

 seen before the end of June, and disappears fully a month 

 earlier than in the New England states. There is evidently 

 considerable variety in the outward colouring of this adder, as 

 several small specimens I have examined seem to agree with 

 the so-called Little Brown Snake (Coluber dekayi) of Holbrook. 

 One of our most common fangless snakes is the active little 

 green species (C. vernalis), and the Milk or Leopard-spotted 

 (Coluber eximius), which is readily distinguished by the beau- 

 tiful oval chestnut spots and the minute red punctations dis- 

 tributed over its upper surface. The Bascanion constrictor, or 

 Black Snake (Nerodia sipedon, or Water Snake), Storeria occi- 

 pito-macidata, and the Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punc- 

 * Dr. Fogg, Proc. Portlaiid Nat. Hist. Society. 



