
Rocky crevices where copperheads have lived for 
sixteen years. 
HILE the graceful deer, spor- 
XV tive squirrel and wary fox re- 
ceive the attention of many 
hunters, they in turn relegate the 
snake, as you please a subject of crea- 
tion or evolution, to the most despi- 
cable class of animals which ought 
only to be killed. Why should snakes 
receive this stigma? The answer is 
found beyond the purely obvious, be- 
cause of their treacherous habits, un- 
expected bites with accompanying 
agony and sudden death in certain in- 
stances, Parents impart to their chil- 
dren the first feelings of fear, disgust, 
and enmity towards snakes, while in 
the next moment they teach them to 
fondle and pet a kitten. I have seen 
a child just able to walk hold a non- 
poisonous snake in his hands with 
thorough enjoyment, and it would be 
difficult indeed, by studying the child, 
to say its pleasure was less than that 
of a few moments previous when it 
had in its all but gentle embrace a 
kitten. When he grows up, he is 
taught the Biblical story of the Fall 
of Man, where a serpent, though not 
identical with a snake, plays the part 
of the Deceptor. Here again by trans- 
ference the snake receives a~ death 
mark. Again the snake, as the psycho- 
analysts tell us, is made use of in the 
language of the subconscious mind as 
a sexual symbol which makes for its 
repression because of its association 
with things wont to be kept secret. 
ANY are the weird tales told 
about snakes, their supernatural 
powers, ete. The superstitious revel 
in their uncontrollable desire for the 
mysterious by dwelling upon snakes— 
their habits and powers. Shakespeare 
employs it to give added atmosphere 
in his play “Macbeth.” In the medi- 
cal world there comes to my attention 
a relic of the past still holding forth 
for bruises, strains, sprains, etc.: “Rat- 
tlesnake oil.” Particularly heneficial 
is it if a dubious layman is told at 
what risk it has been procured. I 
don’t mean to say there is no curative 
power in snake oil, but believe its ac- 
tion is purely psychic and that it has 
no pharmacological basis for its action. 
However, this is going too for afield. 
Another attribute, particularly of 
the non-poisonous snake, is its rapidity 
of motion. They might be admired for 
their beauty many times, but what ani- 
mal is there that can take cover 
quicker when alarmed? Last of all, 
their manner of motion does not raise 
them in one’s estimation. It is rare 
indeed that any one of the above men- 
tioned factors could motivate in an in- 
dividual, fear, disgust and enmity to- 
wards snakes, but rather these are 
conditioned by all, varying in degree, 
conscious or subconscious. 
N Y early acquaintance with snakes 
occurred after the usua! warning 
of danger and infusion of fear against 
which it was necessary to react. Their 
clusiveness by protective coloration and 
rapidity of motion aroused my curi- 
osity. The clement of danger added 
zest, and the childish delight of show- 
ing off my catch to timid boys and 
girls quite sufficed for all my efforts 
of the chase. Soon I learned that the 
New York Zoo would buy garter 
snakes, and for a time a pecuniary re- 
ward reigned supreme. 
Later, while hiking in the mountains 
in the outskirts of Newburgh, New 
York, I spied a trim little evergreen 
about six inches in height growing in 
a crevice jn the rocks and very close 
to a second crevice running backwards 
an undetermined distance. While en- 
gaged in uprooting this shrub, a glance 
within, to my utter surprise, revealed 
two copperhead snakes not more than 
four inches distant. The cold chill that 
overtook me at that instant will never 
be forgotten. The most naturai re- 
actions ensued for father and myself 
Hunting © 
Copperhead 
Snakes 
Plenty of Thrills, 
But Be Careful! 
Dy DR. CLEMENT B. MASSON 
killed them and felt quite proud cf our 
feat. One of these skins is in my col- 
lection to-day as a mute reminder that 
I probably have my own share of good 
luck. However, while describing my 
catch to Mr. Louis Fletcher, a friend 
and experienced snake hunter, he re- 
marked to my chagrin that I should 
have taken them alive. 
ITH this measure of success, an 
increasing admiration for snakes 
of all species grew in me, especially as 
I studied their beautiful patterns, their 
musculature, means of defense, etc. 
The non-poisonous species are equip- 
ped with such musculature that they 
can beat a hasty retreat when alarmed, 
so that only a very passing glance is 
given the one who invades their pre- 
cincts. On the other hand, what a 
perfect hypodermic apparatus and po- 
tent venom is provided for the poison- 
ous snakes! This, together with their — 
knowledge of how to take cover, gives 
them ample means of defense, ena- 
bling them to thrive in localities near to — 
the haunts of man for years. 
In general, to hunt copperheads: one — 
must be willing to tramp through high © 
land and mountainous country during 
the hottest months of the year. These 
snakes climb up from the low lands 
where they hibernate and spend July, — 
August and September among rocks 
where they give birth to their young. — 
Running berries, growing nearby, — 
stretch their vines over the rocks, and, ~ 
besides giving added protection to the 
simple dens of the copperheads, offer 
tempting morsels to small birds in~ 
August and September, which in turn — 
satisfy the appetite of the snakes. A 
VERY hot sunny day is the 
best to chose for a snake hunt. — 
They crawi out of their dens and lie in — 
the warm sun exposing themselves to. 
view. To be successful, one must, train N 
his eye in studying the selected terrain — 
