SYNOPSES AND DESCRIPTIONS. 29 



broad, rounded at the end, Ventrals 129 — 133. Anal bifid. Subcaudals 

 50 — 59 pairs. 



Light greyish-brown, scales punctulate with black, with three alternating 

 series of rounded black spots on each side. The median series of spots 

 are the largest, four or five scales in width, about fifty from head to vent, 

 and twenty-live on the tail. The spots of the upper series are much 

 smaller and less distinct than those of the median; and those of the 

 lower are still smaller and more faint. Belly yellowish, with a series of 

 black spots near each edge. These spots are on the bases of the ventrals, 

 a short distance from the extremity. Head to upper edge of labials dark 

 brown, with small yellow spots on the occiput; yellow beneath. Illinois. 



Storeria. 



Bui nl A- Girard, 1853. 



Small species. Moderately elongate, rounded; head short, narrow, very 

 little larger than the neck, crown flat; tail tapering. Head-shields normal, 

 anterior short. Loreal absent or present. Nasal in two parts, nostril be- 

 tween, or grooved below the nostril. Teeth equal, smooth. Scales keeled, 

 in 15 — 17 rows. Anal divided or entire. Subcaudals in two rows. Hardly 

 to be ranked higher than as a subgenus of Tvo})hloiiottis. Canada to Mexico. 

 Anal bifid; 



a loreal; orbitals 2 — 3; 



scales in 15 rows storerioides. 



No loreal; orbitals 2 — 2; 



scales in 15 rows oceqtitomaculata. 



orbitals 1—2; 

 scales in 17 rows dekayi. 



Anal entire; 



No loreal; scales in 15 rows; orbitals 1 — 2. 



copei. 

 A loreal; scales in 17 rows; 



nasal grooved lineata. 



Storeria storerioides. 



Tropidocloxicm stores >i s Cope, 1865, Pr. Ac. X. Sc, Phil, 100. 



Small, not slender, muzzle obtuse, in general similar to S. dekayi. Nasal 

 divided or grooved. Head-shields nine. Loreal trapezoidal touching the 

 decurved prefrontals at the superior angle, sometimes entering the orbit 



