T ZEE IE 



AMERICAN NATURALIST. 



Vol. IX.-JANUABY, 1875. -No. 1. 



THE PINE SNAKE OF NEW JERSEY. 



In the " pines" of southern New Jersey, which probably is the 

 northern limit of the species, is a notable serpent, reputed to 

 attain the great length of nearly twelve feet, and whose body is 



\vh t m i\ b ( ilh (1 tin m< ni ol p .pu i ,b nations '] his rep 

 tile lias a shiny coat of a soft creamy white, upon which is laid, 

 much in the Dolly Varden mode, showy mottlings or blotches, 

 which, beginning at the neck, are of an intensely dark brown or 

 chocolate color, but which toward the tail lighten up into a pale 

 bright chestnut. Such is the pine snake: and its habitat and 

 traits are well expressed in the beautifully significant name which 



sider the formidable size it. is said to reach, together with its 

 notably harmless nature, and the splendid adornings of its scaly 



The first time I saw the pine snake alive was eighteen years 

 ago. 1 was on the steamboat going from Keyport lo New York. 

 It was the berry season, and persons from the pines were on 



