More about Garter-snakes.
Some weeks ago I noticed an inquiry by Vincent V. M. Beede whether or not there is a distinct variety of garter-snake living near or in the water. In reply to this I will say that I think there is. Last spring when trying to catch some tadpoles in a small pond, I saw a large snake swim towards me. Like Sir Vincent, I at first took it to be a water-adder, but on looking at it a second time I saw that it was a large, dull-colored garter-snake. A few days after I was at another pool in the woods and saw at the edge of the water a similar snake, which was wriggling about in a peculiar way. I watched it closely, and saw that it was catching and swallowing tadpoles.
From these observations I am inclined to think that there is a separate variety of garter-snake. Both snakes were very large and less brilliantly striped than any I had seen before. Can any one tell me more on the subject? I should like to see and talk with Sir Vincent. Does he attend the E. O. High-school? I would like some correspondents.
Evelyn G. Mitchell, R.T.F.
East Orange.
Sir Vincent, who is one of our most popular Table contributors, attends the Centenary Institute at Hackettstown.