USA > Vermont > History of Vermont, natural, civil, and statistical, in three parts, with a new map of the state, and 200 engravings > Part 22
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THE BANDED RATTLE SNAKE.
THIE CHICKEN SNAKE. Coluber eximius .- DE KAY.
DESCRIPTION .- Color light ash, with numerous large oeellated wood brown spots surrounded with black, which cover more than half of the upper surface. A row of these spots, which are very large, passes from the head along the back to the extremity of the tail ; another row of similar but smaller spots passos along each side, the spots lying intermediate between those on the back ; belly light flesh color, with quadrangular brownish spots ; iris reddish orange. Body clon- gated ; size nearly uniform from the head to the vent, and covered above with rhomboidal scales, cach having two punc- tures, or indentations, near the posterior extremity. Head covered with 10 plates, the central one between the eyes trian- gular, and the two posterior ones very large ; upper jaw margined by 14 and the lower by 18 scales, besides the one at the tip ; tail terminated in a blunt horny spine. Length of the specimen before me 32 inches, tail 43, head I, width & the length. Abdominal plates 206, subcaudal scales 46 pair.
HISTORY .- This snake is occasionally met with in all parts of the state, but is not very common. It is called the Chick- en Snake on account of its occasionally destroying young chickens. It is also called the House Snake, because it is often inet with in and about old houses ; and the Milk Snake from its supposed fond- ness for mailk. In some places it is known by the name of the Chequered Adder, or Thunder-and-Lightning Snake. This snake sometimes exceeds five feet in length, with a circumference in the larg- est part of more than 4 inches. They feed principally upon toads, frogs and sala- manders, and are supposed also to catch mnice. The opinion seems to be prevalent that this snake is poisonous, but we have seen no evidence adduced in its support. It is very sluggish in its habits and move- ments, and may be often scen stretched along in the side of a stone wall, basking in the stin.
THE WATER SNAKE. Coluber sipedon .- IANNAUS,
with large club-shaped spots upon the sides of light yellowish browu surrounded by blackish, which join the light color of the belly, and usually run to a point on the back, sometimes meeting, but more commonly alternating with the spots on the opposite side ; belly mottled with blackish, yellowish-brown and yellowish- white, the latter mostly triangular, and in longitudinal rows; darker beneath the tail. Body thick in proportion to the length, and nearly uniform in size from the neck to near the vent, after which it tapers rapidly to a point ; scales strongly carinated, especially on the posterior part of the body. Length of the specimen be- fore me 283 inches, tail 74, plates 140, scales 72 pair.
HISTORY .- This Snake is never seen at inuch distance from the water, but is quite common in the marshes and grassy coves along the margin of lake Cham- plain, and about the mouths of our large rivers. It sometimes grows to the size of a man's wrist, and is generally avoided s venomous. It feeds upon frogs and salamanders.
GENUS CROTALUS .- Linnaus.
Generic Characters .- Hvad large, triangu lar, rounded in front, covered with plates ante- riorly ; vertex and occiput with scales; a deep pit between the eye and nostril , upper jaw armed with poisonous fangs ; body elongated, thick ; tail short and thick, terminating in a rattle, which is a corucous production of the epidermis ; plates on the abdomen and under the tail.
THIE BANDED RATTLE SNAKE. Crotalus durissus .- KALM.
DESCRIPTION .- Upper parts yellowish- brown, with rhomboidal black spots along the back, margined with bright yellow ; upon the sides of these rhombs a black hand is continued to the sides of the body, where it terminates in an irregular quad- rate black spot ; tail black ; under parts yellow, with fuliginous dots and blotches ;
DESCRIPTION .- Color bove dark brown seales on the back elongated, carinated,
119
REPTILES OF VERMONT.
CHAP. 4.
FROGS AND SALAMANDERS.
THE BULL FROG.
larger and less carinated on the sides ; | with a naked skin. In their mature state top of the head flattened, scales upon the they are provided with hugs ; but before their transformation they breathe by branchite or gills. This order may be di- vided into two families. The Frog Fam- ily and the Salamander Family, or the tailless and the tailed batrachians. top small, on the sides large, pentagonal - on the edges of the jaws quadrangular ; snout terminated by one plate ; a quad- rangular plate ou each side of this ; di- rectly back of these a smaller one in winch are the circular nostrils, situated obliquely, pointing forwards; above the I .- FROG FAMILY. two lateral plates, two others are sit- This family embraces the Frogs, Tree Frogs and Toad. Their common mode of progression is by hops or leaps. uated ; the first meeting the shout ante- norly, and the second extending some distance beyond the nostrils behind; a large plate at the anterior angle of the GENUS RANA .- Linnaus. eye, separated from the nostrils by two quite small ones, at the anterior inferior angle of which is the aperture for the puison ; a large plate over the eye ; two still larger upon the throat. Length 37 inches, head 18, width of the head one inch. Rattles, 6; abdominal plates 120, caudal 21 .- Storer.
HisroRY .- This is the only poisonous reptile known to exist in Vermont ; and although Rattle Snakes were formerly found here in considerable numbers, they were mostly confined to a very few local- ities, from which they have now nearly disappeared, but still the remembrance of these localities is, in most cases, preserved in the name of " Rattle Snake Hill," or " Rattle Snake Mountain." The Rattle Snake feeds upon young birds, mice, and reptiles. Its poisonous fangs are situated in the upper jaw, and used only as weap- ons of defence ; and as it always gives warning with its rattles before it strikes, cases of persons being bitten by it in this state have been extremely rare, and in no case, within my own knowledge, fatal. The rattles consist of horny portions of the tail loosely attached to one another, and it has generally been supposed that a rattle is added every year, and that the number of rattles indicates the age of the animal. But this is a mistake. In some cases several new rattles are added in a year, and in others none at all. The Rattle Snake has also been supposed to possess the power of fascination, by which it charmed birds and squirrels, causing them to leap into its mouth, but the opin- ion is totally erroneous. The motions of this serpent are moderate, and its body thick and clumsy, in which respect, as well as in the form of the rattles, which are not spiral, our figure is erroneous, being much too slender
ORDER IV .- BAATRACINA. FROGS AND SALAMANDERS.
In animals of this order the heart has but one auricle, and the body is covered
Generic Characters .- Body covered with a smooth skin ; upper jaw furuished with a row of minute teeth ; another interrupted row in the middle of the palate ; no post-tympanal glands ; posterior extremities long, and in general fully pal- mated ; fingers four ; toes five in number.
THE BULL FROG. Rana pipiens .- LINNAEUS.
DESCRIPTION .- Color above yellowish? green, approaching to brownish olive to- wards the posterior parts, and sparsely spotted with pale rusty brown ; the pos- terior extremities with a few brownish bars ; head and upper lip green ; tympa- num elliptical, large, rusty round the margin, greenish in the middle; under lip, chin and throat yellow ; other party beneath yellowish white ; nostril mid-way between the eye and the snout, and the distance between the nostrils equal to the distance from the nostril to the snout; eyes prominent, pupil black, iris reticula- ted with black and yellow ; a cuticular fold from the orbit passes over and down behind the tympanmm, and, upon the shoulder, meets another fold passing from the mouth along the lower part of the ab- domen ; skin granulated. Length of the head and body of the specimen before me 54, posterior extremities & ; hind feet fully webbed ; greatest diameter of the tympa- num .7.
HISTORY .- This is the largest frog found in Vermont, offen growing consid- erably larger than the specimen above described. It is very common in various parts of the state, particularly in the neighborhood of lake Champlain. It is very aquatic in its habits, being seldom
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120
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
PART I.
THIS SPRING FROG.
TILE LEOPARD FROG. THE PICKEREL FROG,
seen at a distance of more than a few feet | along each side ; sides separated from the from the water. It feeds upon worms, water insects and small molluscous ani- mals. The stomach of the specimen from which the above figure and description were made, contained the elytra of large coleopterous insects.
THE SPRING FROG. Rana fontinalis .- LE CONTE.
DESCRIPTION .- Ilead and anterior por- tion of the body above green, irregular- ly spotted with brown ; posterior parts brownish or greenish ash, spotted with black ; snout yellowish ; chin yellowish wInte ; posterior margins of the jaws black, or spotted with black ; belly white and skin very smooth ; skin above and on the posterior parts of the thighs granula- ted; . eyes very prominent, pupil black, surrounded by a golden line; iris finely mottled with black and goldeu, and sur- rounded by a golden line ; tympanum yel- lowish brown ; a dark colored band along the posterior of the fore leg ; hind legs darker, irregularly barred and blotched with black ; nostril nearer the eye than the snout ; a cuticular fold from the orbit along the side of the back, from which a fold passes down behind the tympanum. Anterior toes 4 in., posterior 5. Length 33, posterior extremities 53.
HISTORY .-- This frog is found more generally diffused over the state than any other. It is common in most of the small streams, and especially about springs, and hence its name, Spring Frog.
THE LEOPARD FROG.
Rana halecina .- KALM.
DESCRIPTION .- Upper part of the body brownish bronze, marked with large, dis- tinet, circular, oblong and irregular spots, of a dark green or brown color, and usu- ally surrounded by a delicate light, or yellowish green horder ; usually two ir- regular rows of spots along the back, and one, two, or three st hi more irregular I fice of the ground.
back by an elevated bronze-colored ridge ; fore legs with spots, and hind legs with spots and bars, similar to those on the bo- dy ; a black line along the margin of the upper lip, excepting at the point ; tym- panum small, bronze-colored, and nearly round ; eyes prominent, pupils black, and iris varied with black and bronze, the lat- ter forming a long line over the pupil; throat and belly white and smooth ; feet palmated ; the fourth toe much larger than the rest, and tubereles beneath the joints of all the fingers and toes. Length of the specimen before me, which is of about the usual size, 33 inches ; length of the hind leg to the end of the longest toe 53 inches.
HISTORY .-- This is one of the most com- mon and least aquatic of all our frogs. During the summer, it is met with in fields and moist meadows, at a great dis- tance from any water. It was called by Kalm, who first described it, the Shad Frog, from its making its appearance in the Spring at the same time with the Shad, but it is better known by the name of Leopard Frog, on account of its ocella- ted spots .*
THE PICKEREL FROG. Rana palustris .- LE CONTE.
DESCRIPTION .- Color brownish ash a- bove ; throat and belly white ; flanks and under sides of the limbs yellow ; back, sides, upper sides of the limbs, and the margin of the under jaw spotted, or bar- red with brownish black. Spots along the back squarish, in two longitudinal rows, with two rows of similar, but smal- ler spots, on each side below the lateral line, which is distinct, of a bronzy hue, and extends from the eye to the posterior part of the body. There are usually two spots between the eyes and one in front ; hind legs barred with brownish black, and a few spots of the same on the fore
* Frogs seem to be able to subsist for an unlimit. ed length of time in a torpid state. There have been repeated aml well authenticated instances of their being dug up, in this state, from depths and under circumstances which made it nearly certain that they must have lain there for many centuries. Dr. Williams ( Hist. 1 -- 150, 479) has given the par- tirulars respecting a considerable number of frogs which were dug up in Windsor, Castleton and Bur- linglon, at depths of from 5 to 30 feet below the sur- fice of the ground. A number of thoso dug up in Burlington were preserved in spirits in the muse . um of the University, where I frequently saw them, and although they were all lost when the college edifice was burnt, in 1824, 1 think I can safely say from present recollections, that they were all of thu species Rana halevina, which is at present our most roiomon species. In 1822 a living hog was dug up in Bridge water, at the depth of 26 feet from the sur.
121
REPTILES OF VERMONT.
Cuar. 4.
WOONS FROG.
HORICON FROG .- BLACK FROG. PICKERING'S HYLOPES.
Ings : nose pointed ; eyes prominent ; iris dark golden ; tympamuin small and near- ly the color of back ; a brownish line from the snout to the eyes ; tubereles on the lower surface of the toes at the joints. Length of the head and body 3 inches.
Horony .- This prettily marked frog bears considerable resemblance to the pre- ceiling species, and like it varies, in the different specimens, very much in the brilhancy of the colors and the form of the spots. It was named palustris, by Le Conte, on account of his finding it About salt marshes, but it is equally com- mon about fresh water streams, ponds and marshes.
THE WOODS FROG. Kuna sylvatica .- LE CONTE.
DESCRIPTION,-Color varying from light drab to redilish brown above and whitish beneath, often with rusty patches in the young ; a longitudinal black line commen- ces at the point of the nose, and, widening as it extends backward so as to involve about two thirds of the eye and the whole of the tympanum, terminates at the shoul- der; usually a fine black line along the margin of the upper lip, with a yellow line separating it from the vitta passing through the eye ; hind legs with broad, ob- boure, blackish, transverse bands. Length when fully growu about 3 inches.
Hisroky .- This frog is found in all parts of the state, and, though frequently met with in moist meadows, is much more comumnon in woods, and hence its name, Woods Frog. This, like the Leopard Frog, is often seen at a great distance from any water. It varies greatly in the intensity of its general colors, varying from nearly black to light reddish brown or almost white, but is readily distinguished from all the other species by the black vitta or stripe passing through the eye and em- bracing the tympanum. The young are usually darkest colored and become light- er as they increase in age and size.
THE HORICON FROG.
Rana horiconensis .- IIOL.BROOK.
DESCRIPTION .- Head large, with snout rather pointed, the whole dusky green above ; nostrils lateral, nearer the snout than the orbits, eyes large, prominent, and beautiful, pupil black, iris reticula- ted, black and golden ; tympanum large, bronzed with a light spot in the centre ; upper lip light bronze, with dusky bars ; above this an indistinet band of bluislr white, with black spots, which extends from near the snout under the orbit and tympanum, to the shoulders ; lower jaw, chin, and throat white. Body robust, dark olive, interspersed with irregular black spots, with an elevated cuticular fold on each side, of lighter color, from the orbit to the posterior extremities ; ab- domen silvery white. Anterior extremi- ties dusky above, white below ; posterior dark olive above with transverse black bars ; posterior part of the thighs granu- lated and flesh colored, feet dusky, above and below. Length 33 inches .- Hol.
HisTony .- This frog was found by Dr. Ilolbrook, at the outlet of lake George, and, if found there, there can be no doubt of its existence in Vermont. I think I have met with it in Burlington, but at the time supposed it to be the Spring Frog.
THE BLACK FROG. Rana melanota .- RAFINESQUE.
DESCRIPTION .- Back olivaceous black ; a yellow streak on the sides of the head ; chin, throat, and inside of the legs whi- tish with black spots ; belly white, in- maculate : total length, 23 inches. Raf.
IlisTony .- I give this on the authority of Rafinesque, who says that it inhabits lake Champlain and lake George.
GENUS HYLODES .- Fitzinger.
Generic Characters .- Mouth furnished with a tongue ; teeth in the upper jaw and palate ; tym- panum visible ; extremities slender ; tips of the fingers and tous terminating in slightly developed Tubercles.
PICKERING'S HYLODES. Hylodes Pirkeringii.
DESCRIPTION .- Color varying from yel- lowish ash to light olive above, with ir- P1 1. 16
i :
122
NATURAL HISTORY OF VERMONT.
CHAP. 4
COMMON TREE TOAD.
PELPING TREE FROG.
regular brown markings and numerous small brown spots ; hind legs faintly band- ed with brown ; beneath, whitish yellow and granulated ; head rather broad ; nose blunt ; fore feet with four toes, one dis- posed like a thumb for clasping ; hind feet. slightly webbed, with five toes, and two tubereles' on the heel; all the toes termi- nated in small tumefactions or soft tuber- cles ; a considerable cavity between the orbits ; a dark marking on each side of the head embracing the tympanum. To- tal length of the head and body about 1 inch.
HISTORY .- I have two fine specimens of this beautiful little animal, both of which I captured in Burlington. The first measures just 1 inch from the snout to the posterior of the body. I captured it in a dry pine grove, October 6, 1840. Though the weather was cool it was very active, and it was with difficulty that I succeeded in taking it. Its leaps were of- ten from four to six feet. It would bound into the air and cling to the small limbs and bushes 4 or 5 feet from the ground. The other I caught in August, 1840, near what is called the High Bridge. The length of the head and body is .8 in.
GENUS FYI.A .- Laurenti.
Generic Characters-Body is generally e- longated ; upper jaw and palate furnished with teeth ; tympanum apparent ; no post-tympanal ยท glands ; fingers long, and, with the toes, termina- ting in rounded viscous pellets.
THE COMMON TREE TOAD. Hyla versicolor .- LE CONTE
DESCRIPTION .- General form like that of the common toad, with the posterior portion more slender. Usual color above, light ash with irregular brownish blotch- es, frequently cruciform between the shoulders, and commonly two brown bars crossing the thighs and hind legs ; belly white and granulated ; flanks and under side of the thighs orange; head broad ; snout blunt ; pupils black ; iris golden, reticulated with black ; anterior extrem- ities rather small; four toes before and five behind on each foot, all terminated by tumefactions or pellets. Usual length 2 inches.
HISTORY .- The Tree Toad is so called on account of its often being found upon trees, which it climbs by means of the pellets upon its toes. By these it is able to sustain itself npon the smooth surface of a perpendicular pane of' window glass. They for the most part remain silent and concealed during the day time, but during warm rainy weather they sometimes be- come very noisy, and ascend upon logs, fences, and trees, but as they assume very nearly the line of the object upon which they are situated, they are not readily dis- covered. They feed and move from place to place mostly by night, but when discov- ered during the day, they will often suf- fer themselves to be taken in the hand without making any effort to escape. In their general form they resemble the com- mon toad.
THE PEEPING TREE FROG.
Hylu squirella .- Bosc.
DESCRIPTION .- Form slender ; semi- transparent ; color brownish red above, with obscure, irregular, brown blotches, bars, and specks on the upper side of the head, body, and legs; chin and throat greenish ; belly and under side of the thighs yellowish white, with the flanks and posterior of the thighs light orange, a cuticular fold along each side ; eyes small, pupil black, iris golden ; a large cavity on the head between the orbits ; head broad- er than long ; mouth large, tongue fleshy ; minute teeth on the upper jaw and palate; upper jaw margined with whitish ; bones of the head very thin and transparent; limbs slender ; 4 toes on the anterior and 5 on the posterior feet, all terminated in rose colored pellets ; one toe' on each fore foot disposed like a thumb for clasping ; hind fect palmated. Length of the spe- eimen before me, 1.1 in.,; head, .3; thighs, .5; tarsus to the end of the toes, .7 ; great- est width of the head, .35
HisroRY .- This species, though not so common as the preceding, is met with in different parts of the state, but is much oftener heard than seen. During the warm summer evenings its shrill peep is heard to a great distance. It ascends trees and is often found concealed between the loose bark and wood of old decayedstrees. This species, in its general form, has a- -
123
REPTILES OF VERMONT.
CHAP. 4.
THE COMMON TOAD.
THE SALAMANDER FAMILY.
nearer resemblance to the frogs than to the common toad. The specimen from which my figure und description are made was captured in Burlington.
GENUS BUYO .- Laurenti.
Generic Characters .- Head short ; jaws withont teeth : tympanum visible ; behind the ear is a large glandular tumor, having visible pores ; boly short, thick, swollen, covered with warts or papilla ; posterior extremities hut slightly elonga-
THE COMMON TOAD.
Bufo americanus.
DESCRIPTION .- Color of the back and outside of the limbs reddish brown, with brownish blotches edged with black and surrounded by a dull yellowish line, with a light ash colored stripe from the top of the hend along the middle of the back to the posterior extremity of the body. Bel- ly dull yellowish white, sprinkled with brown spots. Two very large porous glands back of the eyes. The body above covered with warts or tubercles, the color of the central part of which is usually fer- ruginous; body beneath granulated. Tym- panum small. Eyes brilliant; iris beau- tifully reticulated with black and golden. Four toes on the anterior feet, five on the posterior, with a hard excrescence form- ing the rudiment of a sixth toe ; hard to- bercles on the under side of the feet and loes. Head rather large. Length 33 in.
HISTORY .- The toad, which has been too long looked upon with disgust, and regarded rather as an enemy than a friend, is beginning to be viewed by hor- ticulturists as n benefactor, and there can be no doubt that it renders an essential service by the destruction of noxious in- sects, and deserves rather to be cherished than driven from cultivated grounds. Du- ring the day the toad usually sits motion- less in some retired, obscure place, watch- ing for flies and other insects, and when any one approaches within suitable dis- tance, he suddenly darts out his tongue, to which the insect adheres, and he sel- duin fails of returning it to his mouth with
the prey attached to it. During the night they venture abroad, and are often met with in large numbers in places where few il' any are to be found in the day time.
II .- SALAMANDER FAMILY.
GENUS SALAMANDRA .- Brongniart.
Generic Characters -Body elongated ; tail long ; extremities four ; fingers four; tous five ; no tympanum ; numerous small teeth in the jaws and palate ; tongue as in frogs ; no sternum ; ribs rudimental ; pelvis suspended by ligaments.
This genus comprehends those animals which are generally known by the name of efts and newts.
SYMMETRICAL SALAMANDER. Salamandra symmetrica .- HARLAN.
DESCRIPTION .- Color brownish orange above, bright orange beneath ; on each side of the spine a row of from three to seven ocellated spots of beautiful vermil- lion color, with the surrounding cirele black ; the sides and under parts of the body sprinkled with minute black points, extending front the chin to near the ex- tremity of the tail ; head flattened ; nose blunt ; eyes bright and not very promi- nent, with two longitudinal ridges be- tween them ; four toes on the fore feet, five on the hind; skin on the body and legs roughened by minnte tubercles. The specimen before me has six ocellated spots on each side of the spine, and meas- ures 3.3 inches. Length of the tail, which is cylindrical, next the body, and flatten- ed vertically towards the extremity, 1.7 inches. :
HISTORY .- This species of Salamander is frequently met with in different parts of the state, but is less common than sev- eral of the following species. It exists thronghont the United States, from Maine to Florida. It is found in water, under old logs in moist places, and is sometimes seen crawling abroad on the wet ground af- ter a shower. Its motions are rather mod- erate. It feeds upon spiders and small insects.
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