Hay Batrachians and Reptiles of D. C. 139 



38. Lampropeltis getulus getulus (Linn.). Chain Snake; King Snake. 



Body rather slender, head small; snout rather compressed and pro 

 jecting; upper labials, 7; lower labials, 10, the fourth and fifth the 

 largest; ventral plates, 210 to 225; scales in 21 to 23 rows, all smooth. 

 Black above, with about 33 continuous yellow lines running across the 

 back and forking on the sides to join the branches from the lines in front 

 and behind; a series of small black spots on the sides alternating with 

 the large dorsal spots. Belly checkered with black arid yellow. Length, 

 2 to 4 feet. 



Judging from the records this snake must be quite common in this 

 vicinity, but in the course of 10 years collecting I have never been so 

 fortunate as to secure a specimen. 



39. Natrix sipedon (Linn.). Water Snake. 



Head rather narrow, pointed in front; upper labials usually 8, the 

 sixth and seventh large, the eye over the fourth and fifth; lower labials, 

 10; scales strongly keeled, in 23 or 25 rows; ventral plates, 135 to 150; 

 subcaudals, 60 to 75. Color variable, brownish; back and sides each with 

 a series of large, square, dark blotches, transverse and alternating with 

 each other; belly with brown blotches. Length 1 to 4 feet. 



This disagreeable but perfectly harmless snake is very abundant along 

 the banks of our streams and small ponds. The margin of the canal in 

 the neighborhood of High Island is a favorite haunt. 



40. Natrix bisecta Cope. Washington Water Snake. . 



Head rather narrow, the snout bluntish; upper labials, 9, eye over 

 third and fourth; lower labials 9; scales all keeled, in 25 rows; ventral 

 plates, 143; subcaudals, 67. Olive brown above, with a row of small 

 longitudinal blackish spots on the sides and two very indistinct longitudi 

 nal stripes on the anterior half of the body; head with three light spots 

 above; belly nearly plain. Length, 13 inches. 



The type specimen, which remains unique, was collected about 15 

 years ago in the grounds of the central station of the U. S. Fish Com 

 mission. In this specimen the rostral plate is divided into two by a 

 vertical fissure, a character which must be regarded as accidental. 



41. Regina leberis (Linn.). Striped Water Snake. 



Head small, little distinct from body, snout rounded; upper labials, 7, 

 eye over third and fourth; lower labials, 10, the fifth and sixth largest; 

 s cales all keeled, in 19 rows; ventral plates, 140 to 150; subcaudals, 70 to 

 80. Chestnut brown above with three longitudinal narrow stripes of 

 brownish black, one on the median line and one on the fifth row of scales; 

 belly yellow with two brown bands. Length, 2 feet. 



Quite common along the banks of our shallow streams and ponds. It 

 appears very early in the spring and is never found far from the water. 



