"Natural History of Cottonmouth Moccasin, Agkistrodon piscovorus (Reptilia)" by Ray D. Burkett is a scientific publication written in the mid-20th century. This comprehensive study delves into the ecology, biology, and behavior of the cottonmouth moccasin, a species of pit viper found in the southeastern United States. The text not only discusses the snake's physical characteristics but also examines its habitat, diet, reproductive habits, and the ecological role it plays within its environment. The opening of the text outlines the objectives of the study, which include gaining a deeper understanding of the cottonmouth's natural history and its economic significance. It describes the methodology used to gather data, such as maintaining live specimens in a laboratory setting and examining preserved specimens from various states. The introduction also highlights the extensive history of research on the cottonmouth, noting its well-documented behavior and various vernacular names that reflect local perceptions and folklore surrounding the species. Overall, the beginning establishes a solid framework for the in-depth exploration of the cottonmouth that follows in the subsequent chapters. (This is an automatically generated summary.)