Vol. X] 



VAN DENBURGH— VARIATION IN GOPHER-SNAKES 



19 



Pituophis catenifer deserticola Stejneger 

 Desert Gopher-Snake 



Diagnosis. — Gastrosteges average more than 230 ; urosteges 

 average 59 to 64; scale-rows usually 31 or 33; preoculars 

 usually two ; supralabials most frequently eight ; dorsal blotches 

 fewer, average on body 56, on tail 15.4; sometimes some 

 orange, but not distinct red, in coloration. 



Type locality. — The Great Basin and the southwestern 

 deserts. 



Distribution. — The Colorado and Mohave deserts, the south- 

 ern part of the San Joaquin Valley, eastern San Luis Obispo 



