1883.] Zhe Copperhead. 1229 
such a state of perfection could be reached. The foremost con- 
dition will be the rational construction of enxclosures—not cages 
—liberal in extent, and in strict accordance with the respective 
habits and instincts of the animals to be confined. Cages cannot 
well be avoided by traveling menageries ; in zoological gardens 
they are inexcusable. 
Of the late Mr. Darwin, it is said that “he seemed: by gentle 
persuasion to penetrate that reserve of nature which baffles 
smaller men.” How much to be regretted that Mr. Darwin was 
not commissioned to reconstruct the great London “Zoo” in 
Regent’s Park ! 
:0; 
THE COPPERHEAD. 
BY RICHARD E, KUNZE, M.D. 
D: the last day of August of this year, I had the good fortune 
to come within an unpleasantly close proximity of the head 
of Ancistrodon contortrix without being bitten by that reptile, and 
from the peculiar circumstances connected with it, I am led to 
Propound these questions: 
I. Does Ancistrodon contortrix ever strike at an enemy without 
being coiled up in that characteristic attitude of Crotalus durissus, 
previous to the latter’s giving his fatal blow and while sounding 
his rattle ? 
2. Does A. contortrix ever feign death ? ee 
The reason why I am prompted to ask these questions Is, be- 
Cause the only other specimen of the copperhead I ever met 
during a period of twenty-nine years of collecting, was one I en- 
countered in a coiled up and striking attitude, as I supposed, and 
under circumstances which I will further on relate. Yet Iam 
fully aware that the rattlesnake, when striking in order to seek 
ood, does not first coil himself nor even sound his warning note 
Previous to striking the fatal blow. These PORE ag 
Ce on a caged specimen, as reported in Nos. 21 and 22 © 
Vol. 1 of Science News in the year 1879. : 
‘On the day mentioned I collected a quantity of Monarda 
punctata in New Jersey, a quarter of a mile from the ie 
Matawan, in Monmouth county. The field where I obtain ; 
horsemint, of which I use considerable for medicine, ere 
row strip of fallow land in the same enclosure with a cornhe 
