Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-09
G RIP
QUEER FREAKS OF SNAKES.
An Interesting Collection of Reptiles
Captured in South Carolina
Trom thr New York Tribune.

From thu New York Tribune
There were many live snakes last night
IN the lecture room of the American Mu-
scum IF Natural History. Some of them
were members of the poisonous species.
All were in large glass jars, the tops of
which were covered with cheese cloth In
some Of the jars were some varieties of
snakes which are thought to be the first of
their kind To be held Captives. These
spakss We're used 10 illustrate a lecture on
collecting Snakes in South Carolina,
which was delivered last night at the nu-
scum before the Linnaean Society by X. l..
DiImars Of the New FORK Geological Gar
den. Mr.. Ditmars has charge of the reptile
department of the garden. Many persons
we're present TO hear about his experience
in hunting reptiles in South Carolina, whose
attractions for reptile hunters are not as
we'll known as Florida, and to examine
of the handsome and rare snakes
which he brought back with him and which
he exhibited at his lecture.
The Jars containing the snakes were ar
ranged at the table, az which sat the presi-
dent of the society, Ir. Jonathan Dwight.
Most of the snakes were in a sleepy cOndi
ton and seldom moved ON his trip in
South Carolina Mr. Ditmars captured
ninety-twO specimens, representing fourteen
species. About ninety young were born TO
these snakes soon after their arrival at
the New York Geological Garden.
The prize snake of the collection eI-
hibited last night, and in fact of the whole
number captured in the chase in South
Carolina. was red water snake of a pc
Culiar variety Its color generally appears
10 be dun red. An interesting variety of
the garter snake was also discovered by
Mr.. Ditmars while he was riding along
cotton field. II has a peculiar reddish
color. II is a variety of the albino garter
L pc, and 1t is like the other members of
this group in every respect, except its color.
Some snakes are good actors. at least
some snakes which Mr.. DitInars met on his
trip in South Carolina One of the snakes
he captured was of the hog-nose family.
IL IS called because its mbles
the lose of a pig. 1t was captured near
cotton field, and II quickly evinced a dis
position 10 show how good it could act It
would pretend 1t was dead. and then It
would show how live snake acted when
he was not trying to fool anybody. In
playing dead the snake actually rolled on
It's back, even II disturbed and placed on
its side Mr.. Ditmars exhibited it to q
number of colOred men in the vicinity
where II was discovered. He told them that
he would show them what wonderful con-
troll he had over snakes. He would first
make several passes with his hands over
The snake and 1t would roll on its back
dead Mr. Ditmars then said that the spec
tators should walk some distance from the
snake and then he would collect vitality out
Of the air for the snake and the snake
would come back TO life When the snake
saw that no one was near it turned on its
belly and started to flee. The colored men
were greatly impressed with the great
power possessed by Mr.. Dftmars over
Stakes.
Mr. Ditnlars started on his trip from this
city TO South Carolina on August g. He
was accompanied by Mr.. Snyder, who Is
connected with the reptile department of
the geological garden. On reaching South
Carolina they went to vast wilderness of
can growth. known as the Black Swami
IL was devoid of amphibious creatures
That day they captured two snakes and in
the night. while pOndering over their poor
luck. large snake was seen crossing a.
stretch Of white sand. II proved to be q
specimen Of the most handsome of water
snakes (Natrix fasciata erythrogaster)
IAey then went to the Savannah river
where the bayous were extensive and popu-
Icus with reptile life Here they entered
the low grounds. on the hunmocks border
ing the low grounds numerous specimens of
the Tdce-runner were observed. They found
mat the only sure method OF capturing
these agile creatures was with a net. On
peering about for this species thew were
confronted with rat snake. which meas
lired over five feet While stepping on a
log in a shallow stream In the low grounds
TIER guide came suddenly upon a cotton
mouth snake, a highly dangerous species
his reptile made a lightning-Ifke dart at
the guides foot, but missed its aim and
SID INTO the water on the day this &C.
CURED they captured eleven cOttOnr,Ouths
a peculiar fact regarding the feeding of
ti-eSe snakes was observed. In the swamps
IN which they We're found hundreds of
thousands of fish had been destroyed by
the evaporation of water. In consequence
no food for these ffsh-eatiug reptiles was
left, except their harmless relations the
water snake. They gorged upon these and
In localities where moccasins were com
mon water snakes We're rare indeed One
large mOccaStn diSgDrged a freshly svaI-
lowed snake Immediately after capture
The dead snake and the cannibal were
measured. and it was discovered that the
H'ocCasin was only a foot longer than the
reptile composing his dinner. the water
snake measuring triffe more than three
feet.
Mr. Ditmars called attention to the hal
OF the black bander snake. He said that II
foated in perpendicular position. with ire
tail twisted about some aquatic plant