Hay Batrachians and Reptiles of D. C. 135 



Under the name of "scorpion " this lizard is well known to the rural 

 residents of our region, and by them is regarded as worthy of suspicion if 

 not actually venomous. It is needless to say that there is no foundation 

 for such a notion and the pretty animal is worthy of a better fate than 

 usually is meted out to it. It is fairly common but its agility makes its 

 capture difficult. They are very shy and timid and spend much of their 

 time hidden under leaves and bark or in trees. 



27. Lygosoma laterale (SayJ. Brown-back Lizard. 



Body elongate, tail long and slender, limbs feebly developed; head 

 short, nearly flat above, the perpendicular sides tapering to the snout; 

 lower eyelid with a transparent spot; ear opening as large as eye; no 

 folds of skin on neck ; body covered with smooth scales. Olive or brownish 

 above; abdomen greenish white; sides with a brown, white margined 

 stripe running from eye to tail, below this, between the fore and hind 

 legs may be a similar but narrower stripe. Length, 4 to 6 inches. 



A rare species within our limits, only a few specimens having been col 

 lected in the neighborhood of Mt. Vernon and Marshall Hall. At John 

 son's Gully I have taken three specimens, all of which were found under 

 logs in rather damp situations. 



28. Carphophis amcenus (Say). Ground Snake. 



Head small, snout moderately elongated and rounded; vertical plate 

 hexagonal; prefrontals small or wanting; postorbital single; upper labials, 

 5, eye over third and fourth; lower labials, 6; ventral plates, 112 to 131; 

 scales smooth and glossy, in 13 rows. Above, rich chestnut brown; below, 

 yellow or salmon. Length, less than one foot. 



A not uncommon species, most often discovered by accident under 

 some decaying log or sunken stone. It seems to prefer the rather cool 

 and damp recesses of the thick woods, and so far as I know, is never 

 found crawling about. I have found it frequently in Johnson's Gully and 

 near Mt. Vernon. 



29. Diadophis punctatus (Linn.). Ring-neck Snake. 



Head rather distinct from body, flat; snout rather broad and projecting 

 beyond lower jaw; upper labials, 7 or 8; lower labials, 8, the fifth the 

 largest; ventral plates, 148 to 203; scales smooth, in 15 rows. Blue-black 

 above, orange-red below; a cream colored ring around the neck just 

 behind the head. Length, about 10 inches. 



Not as common, perhaps, as the preceding, but to be looked for in the 

 same localities. It has been taken at Mt. Vernon, Takoma Park, near 

 Cabin Johns Bridge, etc. It can be recognized at once by its coloration. 



30. Heterodon platirhinos Latreille. Hognose Snake; Spreading 

 Adder. 



Body thick and heavy; head broad and short; mouth large and much 



