Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun The common snake of Europe, Coluber or Tropidonotus natrix. See cut under
Tropidonotus . - noun The collared snake, Diadophis punctatus, a small, pretty, and harmless serpent of the United States, of a blackish color above, with a distinct yellow collar just behind the head.
Etymologies
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Examples
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Soon after this Ophio doffed his winter coat entire, and having again fasted for ten days, was at once rewarded by the last remaining ring-snake in a similarly plethoric condition, namely, with three more frogs inside him.
A Book of Natural History Young Folks' Library Volume XIV. Various 1891
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On one occasion when I watched attentively, Ophio, having seized a ring-snake by the middle, held it doggedly still for one quarter of an hour, while the lesser snake did its very best to work its way out of the jaws, and also to fetter its captor by twirling itself over his head and coiling round his neck.
A Book of Natural History Young Folks' Library Volume XIV. Various 1891
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The Hamadryad's appointed diet is one ring-snake per week; but "Ophi," as we now call him, is occasionally required -- and with no sacrifice of his principles either -- to eat an extra snake to satisfy the curiosity of some distinguished visitor.
A Book of Natural History Young Folks' Library Volume XIV. Various 1891
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A ring-snake had been caught in the usual way, and the usual struggle ensued between captor and captive.
A Book of Natural History Young Folks' Library Volume XIV. Various 1891
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Like the poor wretch who, doomed to the gallows, is permitted to fare sumptuously the last morning of his life, the ring-snake ate three frogs, by which the
A Book of Natural History Young Folks' Library Volume XIV. Various 1891
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For nearly an hour the progress was very slow; but when the ring-snake was nearly all swallowed except a few inches of tail, these became so tight a muzzle that Ophio in turn was the victim.
A Book of Natural History Young Folks' Library Volume XIV. Various 1891
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In Bionomics it is necessary to distinguish the types which are observed, and often even the species, as may be illustrated by the fact that controversies occasionally arise among amateur and even professional fishermen on the question whether dog-fishes are viviparous or oviparous, the fact being that some species are the one and others the other, or the fact that the harmless slow-worm and ring-snake are dreaded and killed in the belief that they are venomous snakes.
Hormones and Heredity J. T. Cunningham 1897
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_immamba_, the ring-snake that puffs out its head, this one is the most deadly in our country.
Smith and the Pharaohs, and other Tales Henry Rider Haggard 1890
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