86 COLUBER ALLEGHANIENSIS. 



The neck is small; the body much elongated, sub-caudal, and tapering at each 

 extremity. The scales are oblong-oval and bipunctate at the apex; those on the 

 back have a distinct carina; the four or five inferior rows on each side are 

 smooth; on the tail they are broader and hexagonal in form. The tail is rather 

 short and tapering. 



Colour. The head is black above; the marginal plates of both upper and 

 under lip are silver-white, edged with black; the throat also is silver-white. The 

 body above is intense black, glistening or polished; but in a certain light a 

 mixture of brown can be perceived on close inspection, without however any 

 definable pattern; many of the scales have marginal dashes of white, which 

 become visible when the skin is extended; towards the tail, however, the scales 

 are entirely black. Beneath, the anterior part of the abdomen is white, clouded 

 with brown, and the posterior part and tail entirely slate-colour. 



DrMENsioNs. Length of the head, to the commencement of the small scales, 15 

 lines; body, 4 feet 5 inches; tail, 9 inches: total length, 5 feet 3 inches. Circum- 

 ference of the body in the thickest part, 4 inches. The specimen figured had 

 235 abdominal plates and 78 pairs of sub-caudal scales; a second, 240 plates 

 and 84 scales. 



Geographical Distribution. This serpent was first observed on the summit 

 of the Blue Ridge, in Virginia, by Mr. George Robbins, of Philadelphia. Dr. 

 Wilckens, of New York, has also favoured me with a specimen from the High- 

 lands of the Hudson; and I have received many from the mountains of Carolina, 

 so that it is probable its range extends throughout the Alleghanies. 



Habits. The animal in confinement seemed of an exceedingly mild and gentle 

 disposition; forming in this respect quite a contrast with its fellow prisoners, two 

 individuals of the common Black Snake (Coluber constrictor), who maintained at 

 all times their original wildness. It lived several months, and is now deposited 

 in the Museum of the Academy of Natural Sciences at Philadelphia. 



