FEBRUARY. 29, 1884.] 
manner, as that of the rattlesnake. In these 
instances I thought I detected a faint whirring 
sound, or a buzzing; but on this point I am 
not positive. 
Mimicry on the part of snakes is a ready 
way of explaining some of their habits; but, 
even when accepted, it remains to be shown 
how it originated. Is there any evidence that 
in former times the hog-nosed snake and rattle- 
snake were intimately associated? I find 
none, and certainly at present the two spe- 
cies are not found together. I have endeay- 
ored to detect something in their habits, haunts, 
and anatomy, that could throw light upon this 
question, but as yet all in vain. I can only 
say that the snake is in appearance a deadly 
rattler, but that it has neither the rattles nor | 
the fangs. A veritable impostor is he, sailing 
under false colors throughout his whole life. 
How far has conscious mimicry had to do with 
this? If any thing, a high degree of intelli- 
gence is implied; but, even if the peculiar 
habits of the species were acquired without 
reference to other snakes, does not the fact 
that it relies upon worthless means of safety 
imply that it recognizes them as calculated to 
strike terror in the breast of its tormentor? 
That this snake should generally refuse to seek 
safety by running away, but depend upon 
actions which cause no harm to its enemies, 
seems, at first glance, to be the height of stu- 
pidity ; but, when we recall the fact that it is 
a perfect imitation of the defensive movements 
of a venomous species found in the immediate 
neighborhood, then the question arises whether 
it may not be conscious imitation. If so, this 
snake, which is really quite sluggish in its 
movements, may be far more cunning than we 
suspect. , 
There is another species that to a certain 
extent imitates the rattlesnake, but whether 
intentionally or not, remains to be determined. 
This is the milk snake (Ophibolus doliatus). 
This species, when found in the woods coiled 
upon a heap of dead leaves, will often closely 
imitate the peculiar rattle of the Crotalus by 
vibrating the tail with great rapidity, and in 
such a manner as to strike the leaves beneath 
it. This I thought to be accidental in the case 
of the hog-nosed snake, but believe to be in- 
tentional in this instance. Ido not go so far 
as to state that it is an intentional imitation 
of the rattle of the Crotalus, but that the snake 
vibrated its tail against the dead leaves that 
a decided volume of sound might be produced. 
This implies that it believed that a defensive 
pose at the time, coupled witha rattling sound, 
would cause the intruder to withdraw: at 
SCIENCE. 
255 
least, it depended upon them rather than upon 
running away, when surprised. We certainly 
have, in such cases, exhibitions of choice, on 
the part of snakes, between two means of de- 
fence when overtaken by enemies. Does not 
the exercise of choice between two equally 
available means of accomplishing an object 
imply the possession of a considerable degree 
of intelligence? A beautiful green snake (Lio- 
peltis vernalis), which I kept in semi-confine- 
ment for several months, exhibited many 
evidences of considerable intelligence. It be- 
came very tame, and evidently recognized me. 
Although allowed considerable liberty, it did 
not seem to be very active during the day, but 
was restless in the evening. It seemed to be 
more sensitive to cold than any of our other 
snakes, and remained under its little blanket 
when the day was rainy, or a strong east wind 
prevailed. It fed upon flies, which it would 
take from my hand, seizing them very leisurely, 
and swallowing them deliberately. There was 
nothing of the snap and gulp of a salamander 
or toad about the process. When, however, 
the snake went fly-hunting on its own account, 
there was a very different state of affairs. 
There was still great deliberation, but only 
until the moment for action arrived ; and then, 
with a snap, the fly was gone. 
Occasionally this pet snake would creep 
among a number of pots of flowers, and coil 
about the green branches. At such times it 
would frequently extend some three or four 
inches of its body outward and beyond any 
support, and thus remain, as rigid and appar- 
ently lifeless as a twig. This, probably, was a 
habit common to the snake when free ; but why 
it should be indulged in under such changed 
surroundings, I cannot imagine. Certainly it 
was not for the sake of seizing its food; for I 
noticed that the snake, after taking a hearty 
meal, would assume this position, and that it 
did not ordinarily assume it when asleep. In 
its proper home, such a habit, on the part of a 
small snake of this color, would render it for 
the time very secure against such enemies as 
were guided only by sight. Even when stand- 
ing very near the rose-bush upon which my 
pet rested, I found it, when in this position, a 
very inconspicuous object. 
If this position, then, was assumed as a 
means of safety, it is a habit indicative of 
much cunning; for it acquires thereby the 
best chances for seeing about it, with the least 
probability of being noticed. 
Of the seven other species of snakes found 
here, I have nothing special to remark. It is 
sufficient to say that the general impression 
