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SCOUTING FOR GIRLS 
Northern Moccasin or Pilot Snake, found from Massa- 
chusetts to Florida and west to Illinois and Texas. 
Here are distinguishing marks: The Moccasins, as well 
as the Rattlers, have on each side of the head, between 
the eye and nostril, a deep pit. 
The pupil of the eye is an upright line, as in a cat ; the 
harmless snakes have a round pupil. 
The Moccasins have a single row of plates under the 
tail, while the harmless snakes have a double row. 
The Water Moccasin is dull olive with wide black 
transverse bands. 
The Copperhead is dull hazel brown, marked across 
the back with dumb-bells of reddish brown; the top of 
the head more or less coppery. 
Both Moccasins and Rattlers have a flat triangular 
head, which is much wider than the thin neck; while 
most harmless snakes have a narrow head that shades off 
into the neck. 
Rattlesnakes are found generally distributed over the 
United States, southern Ontario, southern Alberta, and 
Saskatchewan. 
How Does a Snake Bite 
Remember, the tongue is a feeler, not a sting. The 
stinging” is done by two long hollow teeth, or fangs, 
through which the poison is squirted into the wound. 
The striking distance of a snake is about one-third the 
creature’s length, and the stroke is so swift that no crea- 
ture can dodge it. 
The snake can strike farthest and surest when it is 
ready coiled, but can strike a little way when traveling. 
You cannot disarm a poisonous snake without killing 
it. If the fangs are removed others come quickly to take 
their place. In fact, a number of small, half-grown fangs 
are always waiting ready to be developed. 
