MICHIGAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 117 



1-3, (2); temporals 1, 2, (3); pregeneials nearly equal to the post geneials ; head distinct, widening pos- 

 teriorly. General color al)ove grayish, reddish brown to bluish black, spotless or marked with large 

 transverse spots; abdomen yellowish or reddish with or without reddish brown to bluish black spots. 



tAbdomen spotted with bluish spots. 



Var. 1. Nairix fasciata sipedon Linnaeus. Water Adder. Mud Moccasin. 



Size moderate, dorsal scales in 23, (25) rows; superior labials 8; inferior labials 10-11, sixth largest; 

 dull black to grayish or brown with three series of darker, more or less, distinct quadrilateral spots 

 margined with brown or black; dorsal spots much the largest and anteriorly fuse with the lateral spots 

 which have their sides nearly parallel; anteriorly they are often obscure or wanting; no distinct post- 

 ocular bands in adult specimens. In old dark individuals the general appearance is that of a dark 

 brown snake, crossed onthe middle of the back with narrow light lines margined with black; top of 

 head brown; abdomen yellowish white with blotches of light reddish brown to grayish, margined with 

 black or brown, often a fine mottling. All markings less distinct in adult specimens. This is not only 

 the common water snake of Michigan but of the eastern and middle states. From Maine to Georgia 

 west to Wisconsin and Kansas. 



ttAbdomen red or reddish. 



Var. 2. Natrix fasciata erythrogaster Shaw: Red-bellied Water Snake. — Copper-belly. 



Body large and stout; head elongated, narrowing anteriorly ;dorsal scales in 23, (25) rows; oculars 

 1-3; temporals 1, 2, (3), first largest; loreal rather large; superior labials 8, sixth and seventh lar- 

 gest; inferior labials 10-11; geneials large and nearly equal. General color above bluish black to 

 reddish brown, sides often lighter; abdomen light color, in young specimens, to a deep dark copper 

 red in old individuals, without true spots but often speckled with small dark spots and the ventrals 

 are often marginal with dark, especially at the ends which are dark like the scales of the first row. 

 The color of the abdomen fades in spirits. Young specimens sometimes have indications of three 

 series of blotches. Length 1200-1800 m m. From southern Michigan, south and southwest. 



5. Natrix rhombif era HaUou'ell. Diamond Water Snake. 



Large dorsal scales in 27, (25) rows, all keeled, first row larger and slightly keeled; head distinct; 

 rostral nearly twice as wide as high; oculars 1-3, (2-4); temporals 1, 2, (3); superior labials 8, sixth 

 and seventh large, centers yellowish olive, sutures dark bordered; eye above the fourth superior labial 

 and the lower postocular; inferior labials 11, sixth largest, all usually dark bordered. General color 

 above yellowish brown to reddish brown, with a vertebral series of 30-40 black spots, 2-5 scales long 

 and 3-7 w'ide. The dorsal spots are more or less connected, at the corners, with the rectangular lateral 

 spots, thus enclosing, more or less well defined, diamond shaped spots. The lateral spots extend down, 

 in triangular points, upon the ventrals. There are also semi-circular spots on the other ventrals a 

 little nearer the median line. Gular region and anterior part of abdomen yellowish, posterior part 

 usually more or less spotted. Length 1100-1200 m m. Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana to Texas. Rare 

 in southwestern Michigan. 



Genus 6. Coluber Linnaens. — Kol-m-her. 



Bod.v large; dorsal scales in 23-25 rows, partly keeled or smooth; anal plate divided; cephalic plates 

 normal; loreal present; head distinct; mouth deeply cleft; labials large. A row of large dorsal spots 

 and one or more of smaller lateral spots are usually present. Colors much lighter after sheding the 

 skin and spots more distinct. Harmless to man but destructive to birds and small animals. 



*Dorsal scales with 9-15 rows, moderately to strongly keeled. 



tGrayish yellow to brownish, with distinct spots. 



1. Coluber vulpinus Baird — Girard. Fox Snake. Pilot Snake. 



Dorsal scales in 25-27 rows 9-11 keeled sometimes but slightly; internasals smaller than the pre- 

 frontals; inferior labials 10-12, sixth largest ; superior laljials 8, seventh largest: occipitals large; frontal 

 bell shaped; temporals 2, 3, 4; form stout, large to the base of the tail. General color brown or 

 brownish to grayish yellow, with a dorsal row of large, dark brown, quadrate spots, 4-7 scales long 

 and 11-15 wide. Interspaces about two scales long and 3-5 wide. All series of spots continue on the 

 tail but are smaller. Head light yellow to brownish or copper color:: abdomen checkered with bluish 

 or black spots, some of which extend upon the flanks. Adults 1200-1500 m m. long. From Mass. 

 to Minn, and southwest ward. 



tfBlack or bluish with spots sometimes obscure. 



S . Coluber obsoletus Say. Black Snake, Pilot Snake. Racer. 



Dorsal scales in 25-29 rows, 9-21 rows keeled; oculars 1-2; temporals 2, 3. (1, 3) or (3-3) superior 

 labials 8, orbit over the fourth and fifth; inferior labials 11-13; ventrals 220-260. Color above, black 

 to grayish, with dark spots; lateral spots, when present, more or less elongated; size medium to large 

 and stout. There are three varieties in the LTnited States. 



JBlack or bluish above, sometimes with spots indistinct. 



Var. 1. Coluber obsoletus obsoletus Say . Black Racer. Black Snake, Pilot Snake, Sleepy John. 



Dorsal scales in 25 to 29 rows, 9-17 rows keeled, becoming more decidedl.v so towards the medium 

 line. Color above dark to black, brownish on young specimens; spots often distinct and color quite 

 light after shedding the skin, but normally blackish and spots indistinct in adult specimens, some- 

 times the spots are margined with yellowish specks; throat and chin yellowish white; abdomen yellow- 

 ish, at least anteriorly, and more or less marked with black spots; posteriorly usually bluish" black; 

 labials yellowish, margined with black. In some specimens there is more or le.ss red on the flanks 

 and brownish red on the back; length from 4-7 ft. From Maine to IlHnois southwest to Mexico. 



