COLUBERSIRTALIS. 93 



the length of nearly four feet; in general, however, they are found between two 

 and three feet long. In the specimen here described there were 165 abdominal 

 plates, and 117 subcaudal scales. 



Habits. This serpent is extremely gentle in its disposition, and can be handled 

 without the least fear of injury; indeed I have never known it attempt to bite. 

 It prefers shady places for its abode, and is often found among high grass, 

 feeding on toads and other small reptiles, &c. 



Geographical Distribution. The Coluber sirtalis is found in all the Atlantic 

 states, from Maine to Florida inclusive; it inhabits also the country west of the 

 Alleghany mountains. Say observed this animal high up the Missouri river; and 

 I have seen specimens from Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, &c. 



General Remarks. The first notice of this serpent is in the tenth edition of 

 the Systema Naturte of Linna3us, who described it on the authority of Kalm. 

 His account is so short and unsatisfactory that many herpetologists have thought 

 it advisable to expunge this name altogether from the catalogue of North 

 American reptiles; yet if we follow the early history of this animal we shall find 

 the specific name sirtalis sufficiently intelligible, and thus avoid the inconvenience 

 of a new one. Kalm travelled over a certain portion of the United States, in 

 which, to this time, only two snakes have been found marked with three yellow 

 longitudinal lines; and the herpetology of this section of our country is perhaps 

 as well known as that of France. Now Linnaeus himself gave the specific name 

 sirtalis to one; and many years after that, of saurita to the other, well knowing 

 both; of the latter animal there can be no doubt, as his only references are to 

 Catesby and Garden; consequently the specific name sirtalis can only be applied 

 to the serpent now under consideration. Schoepff", doubtless, had the Coluber 

 sirtalis in view when describing his Coluber tsenia (Die Band Schlange); but his 

 name cannot be retained, as that of Linnajus has the right of priority. 



