Catesby, Mark. Vol.II, Tab. 59, The Glass Snake

Mark Catesby The Glass Snake, Vol.II, Tab. 59 Etching with hand color 14" x 19" sheet From Volume II, Part 8 of Catesby's Natural History of Carolina, Florida & the Bahama Islands London: 1737 - 1771 Currently known as the eastern grass lizard, Ophisaurus ventralis and smooth purple coneflower, Echinacea laevigata*, Catesby described these subjects as follows: CAECILIA MACULATA. The Glass Snake. The Head of this Snake is very small, the Tongue of a singular Form, as in the Figure is represented: They are of various Sizes, most of them are less than the Figure, the upper Part of the Body is of a Colour blended Brown and Green, most regularly and elegantly spotted with yellow, the Belly yellow, the under most Part of which is brightest. Their Skin is very smooth, and shining with smaller Scales, more closely connected, and of a different Structure from other Serpents; A small Blow with a Stick will cause the Body to separate, not only at the Place struck, but at two or three other Pl