. The western world [microform] : picturesque sketches of nature and natural history in northern and Central America. Natural history; Natural history; Sciences naturelles; Sciences naturelles. « 222 BLACK SNAKE COACH-WHIP SNAKE. f^Vl. THE BLACK SNAKE. In many parts of the country, the black snake, on account of its rapid movements, is called the " ; Though fangless, it often, in consequence of the way in which it rustles its tail among the dry herbage, making a sound similar to that of the rattlesnake, gives no small alarm to the wanderer among the brushwood near the edges of
. The western world [microform] : picturesque sketches of nature and natural history in northern and Central America. Natural history; Natural history; Sciences naturelles; Sciences naturelles. « 222 BLACK SNAKE COACH-WHIP SNAKE. f^Vl. THE BLACK SNAKE. In many parts of the country, the black snake, on account of its rapid movements, is called the " ; Though fangless, it often, in consequence of the way in which it rustles its tail among the dry herbage, making a sound similar to that of the rattlesnake, gives no small alarm to the wanderer among the brushwood near the edges of streams or ponds. It is also frequently encountered in the fields or on the roads. It is generally from five to six feet in length ; of a blue- black above, and an ashy gi"ay below. It climbs trees in search of birds or their eggs; and if interrupted in its em- ployment, will turn its rage against the intruder. Some- times, it is asserted, it will, to his hoiTor, leap down and give him a bite j though the only injury likely to arise is that to his nervous system from fright. Its bite is, indeed, per- fectly harmless; and it does good service in hunting rats which live in the outbuildings, being able to climb walls and insinuate itself into the most intricate passages when chasing themi. THE COACH-WHIP SNAKE. The last snake we will mention is the coach-whip snake, belonging to the family of Dryadidse. No serpent can sur- pass it in the rapidity of its movements, as, with its lithe, black body—between five and six feet in length—and whip- like tail, it makes its way amid the grass in pursuit of its prey. It seems literally to fly over the ground with the speed of lightning. It is curiously like the thong of a whip, being very long in proportion to its girth, with a remarkably small head and neck; its smooth scales—so arranged as greatly to resemble. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readabili
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubjectnaturalhistory, booksubjectsciencesn
