1915.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 189' 



Coloration. — In coloration they agree very well with the descrip- 

 tions for the species, the red vertebral line being very conspicuous^ 

 as are the three rows of alternating black spots of either side. The 

 venter is whitish with numerous black blotches and spots. 



Dimensions and Variations. — The measurements of the six are as 



follows : 



Gastro- Total 



No. steges Urosteges. length. Tail. 



6,243 143 27 35.1cm. 3.7 cm. 



6,244 136 36 25.5 " 3.3 " 



6,245 132 34 23.5 " 3.5 '' 



6,246 143 31 48.3 " 6.0 " 



6,247 135 33 52.3 " 6.5 " 



6,109 146 32 39.5 '' 5.0 " 



Supra- Infra- 



No. Scales. labials. labials. Rattles. 



6,243 23-23-20 10-11 11-11 2 



6,244 22-21-21 10-10 11-11 - 1 



6,245 21-21-19 10-11 11-11 1 



6,246 23-23-17 10-10 11-11 5 



6,247 25-23-18 10-10 11-11 3 



6,109 25-23-17 " 10-10 11-11 5 



In all the loreal between preocular and postnasal is present; the 

 ocular ring of scales from 6-9 in number; the anal entire. 



Habits. — This species apparently appears second in abundance 

 of the four Crotalids recorded in the swamp, the moccasin exceeding- 

 it in abundance. It was the first form of the four to be seen and 

 the first specimen was stepped upon and calmly picked up back 

 of the neck by one member of the party, he not being aware that 

 it was poisonous at all. 



Breeding. — Like the other poisonous Crotalids this species is 

 ovoviviparous, but the number of young is few, usually from five to 

 nine being the range. One 14-inch specimen (No. 6,243) taken 

 between July 15-November 1, 1912, has eight medium-sized embryos, 

 the caudal one being the smallest. Another, the largest specimen 

 (19 inches long), taken September, 1913, has nine embryos. 



Food. — This species is supposed to feed on frogs and field mice. 

 One individual had in its rectum the remains of several beetles, 

 grasshoppers, spiders and the ribs and pieces of skin of a very small 

 snake or lizard. Another specimen had in its stomach the hind 

 legs and tail of the ground lizard {Lygosoma laterale), the tail pointing 

 forward. This conforms to the rule with almost all the snakes of 

 the Okefinokee collection. In almost every instance vertebrate 



