The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-26

racer" because Of its beautiful and ven
trail surface aand the blueSsh tinge to its
black back 1t grows to be six or eight
feet long. and is not uncommon. In hot
weather it will fight rather than ny, ana
II may jump and bite at its assaiiant
But the greatest injury 1t can DO, the coll
lector said. Is to draw blood. and 1t can
not do that even through thin clothing.
Though called constructor, it uses its
coils only TO hold. not to kill. its prey,
and 1t Is not to be feared on account OF
that.
The milk snake, or spotted adder. coll
ored a beautiful brown and spotted white
on the sides, Is common in the meadows
between Fort Lee and Hackensack. 1t
grows in that locality to length OF
four feet and Is to be found mostly in
swampy places. 1t can bite. but will not
attack; and 1t is quite harmless so far
as it's sting is concerned, though II Is
commonly believed to be poisonous"
Water snakes, called water moecasins,
are also common. They have black or
brown body, with transverse bands, and
haunt the banks of streams where they
find eels and small frogs for food. II
pursued, they will dive, and can remain
under water for a short lime. They have
unusually long and sharp teeth; they are
fierce fighters. and can give a bad wound.
Great caution must be exercised in catch
ing them; but they are easily tanned and
can be safely handled in captivity.
The 'puff-adder, variously known as
the ''spread-head adder" the blowing
VIPER" the "hog-nosed" snake, is said to
be the most interesting snake of this 10
cality. Its common names are all des-
criptive; its lower jaw is Slightly turned
up and. when danger threatens, 1t in
fates its lungs to thre etimes normal
size, spreads its head, and lies still, as
a 'possum does. Consequently there Is a
common belief that its breath is poison.
This snake will strike angrily IL 1t is
leased, but 1t will seldom open it's mouth. |
1t has two long teeth which excite some
terror. It ! easily frightened, however, |
and rather than fight will pretend to be
dead, and may then be thrown around |
like a pice uf rope. But when the sur
roundings become familiar, as they soon |
do, the snake gives up playing dead and |
putting up" and becomes ordinary and |
less interesting. There are three of this |
kind-in color black, brown, and graya-
There are many smaller varieties-gar- |
ter snakes, which are familiar to every |
body, and may be licked up even in Cen |
trail Prk; ribbon snkes and grass snakes, |
which haunt grassy spots and the tops |
Of low bushes; De Kay's snakaes, which |
various others. Half dozen kinds may !
be found in days walk, If close watch I
Is kept for them,fin the, wilder, wooded /
localities in. Greater New York. The |
chance Of happening on copper head or
rattle snake is extremely small, and. an
amateur said, collections canaa be made
safely, pleasurably, and quickly"
Arrangements are being made for the |
sccnd annual snake show, which will be I
held October 2-14. inclusive, at Lyric hall,
Sixth avenue and Forty-second street.
Che collection will be many times as la; &c
Is large as that shown at the Grand Gen.
.ral Palace last November. Specimens
rave been promised from many sources
One American collector will exhibit 800,
rattle snakes, elops. gila mons
ers, and cotton-mouth moccasins. There
will also be specimens from many foreign
countries. 1t is intended to take the coll
ection to Brooklyn and Boston for exhi-
Dltion.