The mechanics of three common modes of locomotion in snakes has been subjected to a detailed analysis (Gray, 1946; Gray & Lissmann, 1950). These three modes are (i) the serpentine or horizontal undulatory movement; (ii) the concertina movement; (iii) the crotaline or side-winding movement. A fourth, less common mode, described as ‘rectilinear movement’, has aroused considerable interest since Home (1812) published his ‘Observations intended to show that the progressive motion of snakes is partly performed by means of ribs’.

*

My thanks are due to Mr J. A. Fozzard for his assistance in taking these photographs.

†

For Fig. 7 see Folder V.

Copyright © 1950 The Company of Biologists Ltd.
1950
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