Hny — Batrachians and Reptiles of D. C 13Y 



which runs forward to the nostril; snout rather projecting and pointed; 

 rostral plate high, upper anleorbital large, the lower very small; upper 

 labials 8 to 10, the sixth very large; scales in 17 (15 to 19) rows, all 

 smooth; ventral plates, 171 to 190; subcaudals, 80 to 110. Uniform black 

 above, greenish white or lead color below; chin, lower jaw and upper 

 labials with more or less white. The young are grayish olive, with a 

 row of reddish brown, black bordered spots along the middle of the back, 

 disappearing on the tail; sides with many specks and spots of brown; 

 head mottled and specked; below, the color is greenish white with 

 three or four specks of brown on each scale. They begin to assume the 

 color of the adults when about 18 inches long. Length 6 feet. 



This snake is very common with us and is often seen, especially 

 among the undergrowth near streams and the margins of thick woods. 

 It is perfectly harmless but when cornei-ed will fight viciously. Its bite 

 although severe is no worse than a bad scratch and will produce no 

 more serious results. 



34. Callopeltis guttatus guttatus (Linn.). Spotted Coluber, 



Body rather elongate and slender, the tail forming about one-sixth 

 the total length; head narrow, snout rounded; upper labials, 8; lower 

 labials, 11; ventral plates, 214 to 236; subcaudals, 63 to 79; scales in 27 

 rows, those of the five central rows faintly keeled. Color above, light 

 red becoming paler on the sides; back with about 40 irregular dark red 

 spots each with a darker border; below these, on the side, is another 

 series of spots, alternately larger and smaller, the larger alternating with 

 the dorsal spots; lower surface checkered with black and yellow; head 

 with dark bands, one through the eye to the corner of the mouth and 

 onto the neck, another in front of this, and a third from the back of the 

 head to the neck, Length, 4 feet. 



There are two records of the capture of this snake within our limits, 

 one at Wheaton, Md., the other at the U. S. Insane Asylum grounds. It 

 is a southern species and is doubtless very rare here. 



35. Callopeltis obsoletus obsoletus (Say). Allegheny Blacksnake. 



Body moderately slender, the tail forming about one-fifth the total 

 length; head rather broad, snout blunt; rostral plate broad, snout pro- 

 jecting; upper labials, 8 (rarely 9), the sixth and seventh the largest; 

 lower labials, 11, the sixth the largest; scales in 27 (rarely 25) rows, all 

 but the outer ones feebly keeled; ventral plates, 230 to 250; subcaudals, 

 53 to 86. Black or bluish black above, usually with obsolete lighter 

 blotches, showing principally between the scales; below, the color is 

 yellowish becoming darker posteriorly; lower jaw and throat white. 

 Length, 3 to 8 feet. 



This species is quite common, especially along Rock Creek and the 

 Potomac River above Washington, I have seen it frequently on High 

 Island and have taken two specimens at Takoma Park. 



