38 TROPIDONOTUS NIGER. 



Colour. The whole superior surface of the animal is dusky-grey; the throat 

 milky-white; the abdomen and under surface of the tail is slate colour, more or 

 less relieved in the centre by milky-white. 



Dimensions. Length of head, 1 inch; length of body, 20 inches; length of tail, 

 8 inches: total length, 2 feet 5 inches. In the specimen here described, there were 

 143 abdominal plates and 64 pair of sub-caudal bifid plates. 



Habits. The Tropidonotus niger feeds on small reptiles, as frogs, toads, &c., 

 and is a harmless snake, although commonly considered venomous. 



Geographical Distribution. The Tropidonotus seems to be peculiarly a 

 northern animal, never having as yet been observed in Pennsylvania, though 

 abundant in the New England states, where it is known under the name of Water 

 Adder. The beautiful specimen, from which the accompanying plate was taken, 

 was sent to me by Dr. Storer, of Boston, w ho informs me that it was captured at 

 Cambridofe. 



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General Remarks. This animal in New Hampshire represents the Tropido- 

 notus fasciatus of the south, and Tropidonotus sipedon of the middle states. 



