52 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



black dash extends obliquely backwards from the eye to the angle of the jaws. A rounded 

 black spot behind the occiput. Beneath dusky yellowish, or dull whitish. 



Young, of a uniform light ashen grey, with the lateral series of spots black, subquadrate, 

 and united with each other across the back by dark-colored bands, with intervening lighter 

 ones. Beneath greenish grey, varied with dusky. A short rufous transverse band in front of 

 the eyes. Over the eyes, a rufous band : becomes dilated on the sides of the neck. 



Abdominal plates, . 130-142. Length, 1 2 • - 25 • 0. 



Caudal plates, 42- 48. Tail, 2-5 - 4'0. 



This well known species has a venomous aspect, particularly when irritated, but is entirely 

 harmless. In this State, it has various popular names : Blauser, by the early Dutch settlers, 

 from its habit of distending or blowing up the skin of its head and neck ; this property I have 

 noticed in very young individuals which I have kept for some time. It is also called Deaf 

 Adder, Spreading Adder, Hog-nose and Buckwheat-nose ; the latter from some fancied 

 resemblance between that grain and its rostral plate. It is found frequently in dry sandy 

 soils ; but I have observed them also in low and wet meadows, apparently in pursuit of frogs, 

 etc. It is rather common in the southern parts of this State. It has been noticed in New- 

 Hampshire and Massachusetts. It occurs in Michigan, Tennessee, and throughout the 

 Western States. Southward it extends to Florida. 



(EXTRALIMITAL.) 



H. simus. (Holbrook, Vol. 4, pi. 15.) Azygous plate between the frontal, surrounded by 6 - 8 

 smaller plates. Grey, with a vertebral series of subquadrate or rounded black spots on transverse 

 bars; tail fawn-colored. Abdominal plates, 132; caudal, 39. Length 12-13 inches. Caro- 

 linas, Georgia. 



H.niger. (Id. Vol.4, pi. 16.) Entirely black; beneath greyish, Body thick and clumsy. Abdo- 

 minal plates, 135 - 145; caudal, 50 - 55. Length three feet. Tennessee, Georgia. 



H. annulatus. (Troost, Ann. Lye. Vol. 3, p. 188.) Slender. Body surrounded with black and 

 yellow rings. Beneath yellowish white. Length 29 inches. Tennessee. 



H. tigrinus. (Id. lb. p. 189.) Smaller than preceding. Varied with black and ashen grey. A black 

 horseshoe band runs through the eyes to the angle of each jaw. Length 16 inches. An jur? 

 Tennessee. 



Obs. Dr. Holbrook considers the two last as varieties of H. platyrhinos. 



