BRANSON : SNAKES OP KANSAS. 



401 



largest ; third and fourth entering orbit. Ten lower labials, 

 fifth largest. Pregenials longer than postgenials. Anal plate 

 entire. Gastrosteges in type specimen 204. Urosteges in two 

 series — 48 in each series. 



Fig. 24. 

 Ophibolus doliatus doliatus Linn. 



The following are the dimensions and scutella of eight speci- 

 mens from Douglas county : 



Body scarlet, banded with brown, with from twenty to 

 twenty-eight pairs of black rings, each pair enclosing a white 

 ring. The posterior ring of each pair is continued with the 

 anterior ring of the next pair by a black line on the gastro- 

 steges or inferior rows of scales. The middle of the belly is 

 maculated by a series of square black spots which alternate 

 with the lines closing the dorsal saddles. 



Rather rare, but occurs in all parts of the state. I have ex- 

 amined specimens from Mitchell, Riley, Republic, Shawnee, 

 Franklin, Lyon and Douglas counties. 



These snakes are very gentle. They never bite unless very 

 much aggravated. When they do bite they do not strike like 



