136 Hay — Batrachians and Reptiles of D. C 



curved; rostral plate greatly developed, trihedral, pointed and upturned; 

 upper labials, 8; lower labials, 11; ventral plates, 120 to 150; scales keeled, 

 except those of the outer row which are smooth, arranged in 25, or rarely 

 23 rows. General color, brownish, reddish, or sometimes uniform gray 

 or black; when not uniform there are from 20 to 30 dark dorsal blotches 

 with an alternating series of dark blotches on the side and sometimes a 

 third series low down on the sides; tail with bands of dark brown ex- 

 tending nearly around. 



A common species, well known throughout the rural districts under 

 the names, "black adder, spreading adder, blowing viper," etc. Its 

 habits, which have given rise to the last two names, are exceedingly 

 interesting and, as the snake is perfectly harmless, may be easily in- 

 vestigated. The various color phases, mentioned above, have been ob- 

 served in our region. While they are regarded by the layman as indi- 

 cating very distinct species they are known, by the herpetologist, to be 

 nothing more than variations of the same thing. 



31. Liopeltis vernalis (De Kay). Smooth Green Snake; Grass Snake. 



Body and tail rather long and slender, the tail forming about one-third 

 the total length; upper labials, 7, the eye over the third and fourth; 

 lower labials, 8, the fifth the largest: scales smooth, arranged in 15 rows; 

 ventral plates, 125 to 140; subcaudals, 69 to 95. Grass green above, 

 greenish yellow below, throat and lower labials yellowish white. Length, 

 20 inches. 



There are several records for the capture of this beautiful and inoffen- 

 sive snake within our limits. In its habits it differs considerably from 

 the next in that it seems to prefer to live among the grass and seldom if 

 ever climbs above the ground. 



32, Opheodrys sestivus (Linn.). Keeled Green Snake. 



Body and tail very slender, the tail forming, usually, more than one- 

 third the total length; neck slender; head narrow and high and somewhat 

 swollen behind, the snout projecting considerably beyond the lower jaw; 

 eyes large; ventral plates, 150 to 165; subcaudals, 110 to 135. Scales in 

 17 rows, keeled, except those of outer row and some of those of the 

 second row. Grass green above, greenish white below. Length, 30 

 inches. 



This species resembles the preceding very closely in color but may 

 readily be distinguished by its more slender form and keeled scales. I 

 have kept several specimens in confinement and have never seen one 

 attempt to bite. They are often found twined about the limb of some 

 bush, or running rapidly about through the limbs of trees or shrubbery in 

 search of their food. 



S3- Bascanion constrictor (Linn.). Black-snake; Blue-racer. 



Body long and slender, the tail constituting about one-fourth the total 

 length; head distinct, long, pointed, high, the crown flat; eye in a groove 



