6l2 



OPIilDIA 



CHAP. 



The scales un the body furin only seventeen rows. Another 

 feature of this species is the prominent ridge of the back-bone, 

 not only in half- starved but in well -conditioned specimens. 



pP^tD :^^^ 



Fig. liil. — Zamenis mucosus (Rat Snake). x i. 



The Itat Snake grows to a length of more than 7 feet, and is 

 as ill-tempered as most species of this genus. 



Z. gemonensis s. viridiflavus inhabits France, Italy, the 

 T'.alkan Peninsula, and Asia Minor. Its coloration is very 

 variable. In general it is either green above and yellow 

 below, hence the appropriate name viriclifl-avm, or the ground- 

 colour of the buck is greyisli or olive -yellow with brownish 

 spots, which form more or less longitudinal rows on the trunk, 

 but <a'adually pass into Idackish continuous lines on the tail ; 

 the under parts are yellow or greenish white, often with many 

 very small, dark specks. The scales form seventeen or nineteen 

 rows; the anal shield is divided. There are two small post- 

 ocidar scales and one subocular : of the eight labials, the fourth 

 and I i till border the eye. This species is very lively, attacks 



