1853.] 287 



r 



many dark colored blotches, which are continuous with similarly colored mark- 

 ings upon the abdomen ; the markings of the tail resemble those upon the body, 

 but have the form of bands, the black spots being somewhat more regularly 

 disposed. Abdom. scut. 234 ; subcaud. 51. 



Dimensions Length of head, 9 lines ; greatest breadth, 5i ; length of 

 body 1 foot 7 inches 3 lines ; length of tail, 2 inches 9 lines ; total length 1 

 foot 10 inches 9 lines; greatest circumference, 1 inch 6 lines. 



Dimensions of a larger specimen. Length of head, 8 lines ; greatest breadth, 

 6i ; length of body, 2 feet 4 inches ; of tail, 4 inches 4^ lines ; total length, 

 feet 9 inches Ah lines ; circumference, 2 inches 3 lines. Abdom. scut. 225 ; sub- 

 caud. 57. 



Kf-marks. Found in the valleys in the open prairies ; grows to a much larger 

 size than either of the specimens, 4 feet in length ; very abundant, often killed 

 by travellers, and found lying on the road side ; disposition timid, always 

 endeavoring to escape its pursuers. 



Tropidonotus tri-vittatus. 



Sjyecijic characters. Head rather small, outline above triangular ; de- 

 pressed posteriorly, cheeks tumid, eyes slightly projecting, nostrils between 

 two plates ; a quadrilateral frenal plate ; one large antorbitar, two pos- 

 terior orbitars ; eight superior labials on each side, the sixth the largest ; 

 neck slightly contracted, abdomen flattened, body of moderate size, covered 

 above with nineteen rows of carinated scales ; tail of moderate length, tapering 

 to a point ; body jet black above, with three narrow vittae extending from 

 the head to the extremity of the tail ; the lateral ones become indistinct 

 the dorsal vitta is orange colored, and occupies one row, and a half of each 

 of the adjoining rows of scales ; abdomen and under part of tail olive colored, 

 immaculate ; upper surface of head black. Abdom. scuta 146; subcau-d. 72. 



Dimensions. Length of head 9 lines ; greatest breadth 6 lines ; length of 

 body about 1 foot 7 inches; of tail 5 inches 7 lines, (body broken.) 



Remarks. Resembles Tropidonotus concinnus, but wants the orange colored 

 spots, and the lateral vittae. Very abundant about ponds and on the banks of 

 the Cosumnes and other rivers in California. On being approached quickly dives 

 to the bottom of the stream, or makes its appearance on the opposite side, 

 keeping its head above water. One of the most common snakes in California. 



LEPTOPHIS, Bell. 

 Leptophis lateralis. 



Specific characters. Head small, rather long and slender, covered above with 

 nine plates ; the posterior frontals are larger than the anterior, passing down 

 upon the sides of the head ; vertical very long and narrow, broader in front ; 

 nostrils between two nasal plates ; a small quadrilateral frenal ; a large antocu- 

 lar, its upper portion forming part of the lateral surface of the head ; below it a 

 minute supplementary plate intercalated between the third and fourth labials ; 

 two posterior oculars ; eye large and projectina:, space between it and the nostril 

 grooved ; eight superior labials, the fourth and fifth forming the inferior margin 

 of the orbit ; body long and slender ; tail rather long ; color brown above, with 

 two narrow yellow vittae, one on each side, extending from the head to the root 

 of the tail ; abdomen and under surface of tail straw color, immaculate ; a con- 

 siderable number of very minute black points upon the chin and throat. 

 Abdom. scuta. 196 ; sub-caud. 122. 



Dimensions. Length of head 8 lines ; greatest breadth 3 lines ; length of 

 body 1 foot 5 lines ; of tail 5 inches 1 line; total length 1 foot 6 inches 2 lines ; 

 circumference 9 lines. 17 rows of smooth scales. 



Remarks. Abundant in the neighborhood of ponds, lakes and banks of rivers ; 

 very timid, escaping to the water for protection the moment it is approached. 

 Grows somewhat larger. 



The following are from the same locality, viz. : 



