Hay JSatracMans and Rep tiles of D. C. 137 



which runs forward to the nostril; snout rather projecting and pointed; 

 rostral plate high, upper anteorbital large, the lower very small; upper 

 labials 8 to 10, the sixth very large; scales in 17 (15 to 19) rows, all 

 smooth; ventral plates, 171 to 190; subcaudals, 80 to 110. Uniform black 

 above, greenish white or lead color below; chin, lower jaw and upper 

 labials with more or less white. The young are grayish olive, with a 

 row of reddish brown, black bordered spots along the middle of the back, 

 disappearing on the tail; sides with many specks and spots of brown; 

 head mottled and specked; below, the color is greenish white with 

 three or four specks of brown on each scale. They begin to assume the 

 color of the adults when about 18 inches long. Length 6 feet. 



This snake is very common with us and is often seen, especially 

 among the undergrowth near streams and the margins of thick woods. 

 It is perfectly harmless but when cornered will fight viciously. Its bite 

 although severe is no worse than a bad scratch and will produce no 

 more serious results. 



34. Callopeltis guttatus guttatus (Linn.). Spotted Coluber. 



Body rather elongate and slender, the tail forming about one-sixth 

 the total length; head narrow, snout rounded; upper labials, 8; lower 

 labials, 11; ventral plates, 214 to 236; subcaudals, 63 to 79; scales in 27 

 rows, those of the five central rows faintly keeled. Color above, light 

 red becoming paler on the sides; back with about 40 irregular dark red 

 spots each with a darker border; below these, on the side, is another 

 series of spots, alternately larger and smaller, the larger alternating with 

 the dorsal spots; lower surface checkered with black and yellow; head 

 with dark bands, one through the eye to the corner of the mouth and 

 onto the neck, another in front of this, and a third from the back of the 

 head to the neck, Length, 4 feet. 



There are two records of the capture of this snake within our limits, 

 one at Wheaton, Md., the other at the U. S. Insane Asylum grounds. It 

 is a southern species and is doubtless very rare here. 



35. Callopeltis obsoletus obsoletus (Say). Allegheny Blacksnake. 



Body moderately slender, the tail forming about one-fifth the total 

 length; head rather broad, snout blunt; rostral plate broad, snout pro 

 jecting; upper labials, 8 (rarely 9), the sixth and seventh the largest; 

 lower labials, 11, the sixth the largest; scales in 27 (rarely 25) rows, all 

 but the outer ones feebly keeled; ventral plates, 230 to 250; subcaudals, 

 53 to 86. Black or bluish black above, usually with obsolete lighter 

 blotches, showing principally between the scales; below, the color is 

 yellowish becoming darker posteriorly; lower jaw and throat white. 

 Length, 3 to 8 feet. 



This species is quite common, especially along Rock Creek and the 

 Potomac River above Washington, I have seen it frequently on High 

 Island and have taken two specimens at Takoma Park. 



