ccasins, of which
there are two species, one being the cotton-mouth or water-moccasin
(_Ancistrodon piscivorus_), and the other the highland moccasin,
pilot-snake or copper-head, (_Ancistrodon contortrix_).

The two species of poisonous colubrine serpents already referred to are
known respectively as the _Elaps fulvius_, and the _Elaps euryxanthus_,
both of which occur in the southern portions of the United States. These
snakes are fortunately of a very mild disposition, and rarely attempt to
bite, even when handled. That their poison is exceedingly deadly is
attested by the fact that out of eight instances where it was known that
persons were bitten by them, six died, and they should, therefore, be
looked upon as among the most deadly of North American serpents. Mention
should be made of the fact that there are at least six harmless reptiles
that resemble the coral-snakes very closely, and as a consequence of the
former being mistaken for the latter, the assertion has been frequently
made by the ignorant that our elapine serpents are harmless.

A short description of the really deadly reptiles encountered in this
country that would enable even the novice to distinguish them from those
that are harmless would seem not inappropriate here, for where a person
is bitten by a snake it becomes at once a matter of vital importance to
determine, if possible, its true character. Most non-venomous serpents
will viciously bite when cornered, and while they may produce slight
wounds, with a small amount of bleeding, such injuries are entirely
devoid of danger, and need occasion no fear on the part of the victim.
There now follows a brief description of our venomous snakes, by means of
which it will be easy for any one to distinguish them from their innocent
relatives.

_True Rattlesnakes._--There are twelve species of these reptiles in the
United States, all of which, with but two exceptions, live west of the
Mississippi. They vary very greatly in color, but the common eastern
forms generally have alternate transverse yellow and brownish-black marks
over their bodies. All possess rattles. The body of the snake is thick in
proportion to its length, and the head, which is more or less
diamond-shaped, is much larger than, and is quite distinct from the neck.
The pupils of the eye are elliptical--a peculiarity which the pit-vipers
alone possess of all the North American snakes. Between the eye and nose
there is a comparatively deep d