292 A. G. RUTHVEN. 



single specimen having been taken as early as March 18, which 

 is the earliest date recorded for any snake from this locality. 

 The latest date at which a specimen has been taken is September 22, 

 but the time of hibernation is undoubtedly much later;~than this. 

 It is an exceedingly amiable little snake, and no amount of rough 

 handling will induce it to strike, which is in marked contrast to 

 the pugnacity of E. sirtalis sirtalis, when captured. As far as I 

 have been able to observe, its diet in captivity consists chiefly of 

 earthworms and small frogs. Its breeding habits are unknown ; 

 in one specimen (U. of M. Mus. Cat., No. 31612) taken May 28, 

 1904, at Sandusky, Ohio, there are 8 eggs in each oviduct about 

 20 mm. long and 12 mm. broad. In another specimen (U. of 

 M. Mus. Cat., No. 31624) taken June 3, 1904, at Ann Arbor, 

 Michigan, there are 7 eggs in the right and 5 in the left oviduct. 

 These eggs are about 12 mm. long and 10 mm. broad. 



DISTRIBUTION. 



The geographical range of butlcri, as we know it, is very 

 limited. As will be seen from the table, it occurs in the northern 

 and, if the locality of the type is correct, the southeastern parts 

 of Indiana, in the north and southwestern parts of Ohio and in 

 southern Michigan. It apparently cannot be abundant in Indiana 

 or more specimens would have been taken, as many reptiles 

 have been collected there and the state has been worked by Dr. 

 O. P. Hay, who describes ('92, p. 528) the type as being the 

 only specimen known at that time. In southern Michigan, how- 

 ever, it occurs quite commonly, at least near Ann Arbor. Of 

 its occurrence in other parts of Michigan, nothing can be said, 

 except of the six specimens taken by Dr. Clark at Olivet. 



DIAGNOSIS. 



Body stout, tapering abruptly at both ends. Head conical, 

 smaller than neck, muzzle a little protuberant. Tail short. 

 Dorsal scales in 19 rows, all carinated, the first much the largest. 

 Supralabials 6-6, the fifth the largest, the third and fourth, 

 entering the orbit. Infralabials 8-8. Preoculars i-i. Postocu- 

 lars 3-3. Temporals i i, the second large, extending from 

 labials to parietals. Gastrosteges 140. Urosteges 61. Length 



