464 



BLACK SNAKE. 



Coluber Constrictor. C. totus niger, lucidus, longissimus. 

 Shining-black Snake, with very long slender body. 

 Black Snake. Catesb, Carol. 2. pL 48, 

 Coluber Constrictor. Lin. Si/st. Nat. p. 385. 

 Abdominal scuta 186, subcaudal scales 92. 



^*This," says Catesby, is a large and veiy 

 long snake ; some being six feet in length : they 

 are all over of a shining black, never changing 

 their colour, and are very nimble and beneficial 

 in killing rats, which they pursue with wonderful 

 agility to the roofs and all parts of houses and 

 barns, where rats are able to run, for which ser- 

 vice they are preserved by most of the inhabi- 

 tants : they are bold and furious, leaping at and 

 biting those that attack them, though no harm 

 ensues ; their bite not being venomous : it is com- 

 monly said in Carolina that they will attack and 

 swallow Rattle-Snakes : it is certain most or all 

 snakes will devour one another, not only of their 

 own but of other kinds, which I have often seen ; 

 one, after a long struggle, swallowing another but 

 little less than itself. They are the most nume- 

 rous of all snakes." 



Many ridiculous, frights," says Mr. Pennant, 

 have happened from this innocent reptile. As 

 every one in America is full of the dread of the 

 Rattle- Snake, they are apt to fly at the sight of 

 any of the serpent kind. This pursues, soon over- 

 takes, and twisting round the legs of the fugitive, 



