90 COLUBER aUADRIVITTATUS. 



Colour. In its colours, however, this snake differs widely from the Coluber 

 Alleghaniensis, and the pattern is invariable so far as my observation extends. 

 The whole superior surface in the young animal is of a greenish clay-colour, 

 marked with four longitudinal dark brown stripes, the two superior ones reaching 

 from the occiput to the extremity of the tail. In old individuals, the general 

 colour is brown, and the dark longitudinal bands are less obvious. The inferior 

 surface is yellowish throughout, sometimes a little clouded towards the sides. 

 The scales of the back and sides are frequently sprinkled with minute blackish 

 dots, and many have marginal dashes of white, which become visible when the 

 skin is extended, and give the animal a reticulated appearance. The skin 

 between the scales is blackish. 



Dimensions. Length of head, 14 lines; length of body, 3 feet 6 inches; of tail, 

 10 inches: total length, 4 feet 5 inches. In the above specimen there were 

 233 abdominal plates, and 90 sub-caudal scutella. It grows, however, to the 

 length of six or seven feet. 



■&^ 



Geographical Distribution. It is found from North Carolina to Florida, and 

 westward as far as the Mississippi; being entirely unknown in the northern and 

 middle states. 



Habits. This animal is by no means rare in South Carolina; frequenting the 

 vicinity of houses, and sometimes making its way into the cabins of the negroes. 

 It is, however, perfectly innoxious, though in bad repute with respect to young 

 chickens. Bartram suggests that it might be rendered useful in destroying rats, 

 as it is easily tamed and soon becomes familiar. 



General Remarks. This animal, though described by Bartram so long ago 

 as 1791, has not since been noticed by any systematic writer. It is closely allied 

 to the last animal in its general form, but its colour and markings, as well as its 

 geographical distribution, are entirely different. 



