The _Heterodons_ have the reputation of ‘feigning death’ when annoyed. This peculiarity has been commented on by many who have experimented upon the snake for this purpose. Holbrooke observed it in _H. platirhinos_, and came to the conclusion that it was done at will. ‘It will deceive its tormentor by feigning death, remaining flat and motionless.’ It otherwise ‘flattens the head and upper part of the neck, which it lifts and waves, hissing loudly.’ This is the true cobra manner. He often worried it and tried to make it bite, when it only projected its head in that menacing way, but with closed mouth. On the contrary, other experimentalists describe it with widely expanded jaws when thus annoyed. In an excellent American magazine, _Science News_, the _Heterodons_ formed the subject of several papers a few years ago. To my friend, Mr. J. E. Harting, I am indebted for some numbers of _Science News_, in which _Heterodons’_ performances are fully described. One, on being intercepted in its retreat, ‘threw its head back with widely expanded jaws; but instead of striking, it turned completely over on its back, remaining stiff and motionless, with jaws fixed in rigid expansion, feigning death.’ Reptilian intellect was, however, insufficient to carry out the feint, inasmuch as its full muscular power was exercised to maintain its position. ‘On concealing myself,’ continues the narrator, ‘it cautiously righted itself and made off; but only to repeat the _ruse_ when again caught.’[115] Dr. J. Schneck, in the March number for the same year, describes a similar action on his worrying them with a switch, when, after making futile efforts to attack, they would seem to bite themselves (which they really never do), and then turn on their backs as if dead. After a few moments of quiet they would turn over and beat a hasty retreat. Several other writers in _Science News_ confirm Holbrooke’s experience, that ‘under no provocation can it be induced to bite.’ Those we have seen at the Gardens verify this; exhibiting an extremely inoffensive nature, though no death-feigning or summersault performances. And I am more inclined to attribute the rigidity to a sort of paralyzed terror than to any pretence of being dead. The same thing is observed in some insects. If you blow on them or alarm them, they will flatten themselves against whatever they may be crawling on, and cling close and stiff as if dead, but presently escape. Some other snakes, also, as well as the _Heterodons_, keep rigidly still as if paralyzed when molested, previous to attempting any escape, though I do not remember any others that turn over on their backs in so singular a fashion. A few more words about the _Deirodon_ with its still stranger teeth must come in the next chapter. [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER XXIII. _OPHIDIAN NOMENCLATURE AND VERNACULARS._