EUTAINIA. 27 



on each side of eacli abdominal scale, near the extremity. No occipi- 

 tal spot. 



The exterior row of dorsal scales is earinated, and larger than the 

 rest, which are about equal. The scales of the slender tail are like- 

 wise earinated. 



A specimen collected on Sacramento River by the Exploring Ex- 

 pedition is smaller, but very similar. As usual in small specimens, 

 the black is in the form of isolated spots, confluent above, with an 

 olivaceous brown ground. 



California. 163. 83. 19. 25 J. 6*. Dr. Wm. Gambel. 



Sacramento River. 170. — 19. 13 f. 3*. (ondep.) Expl. Exped. 



5. Eutalnia PicKermg-ii, B. & G.— Body slender. Black above, 

 slate-color beneath. Lateral stripe irregular, confluent with the light-colored 

 intervals between the dark spots. 



This species exhibits great variations in color, principally in re- 

 gard to the amount of black on the abdomen and the extent of the 

 stripes. The most strongly marked specimen is of an intense black, 

 tinged with bluish below. There is a very narrow greenish white 

 vertebral line, beginning at the nape, where it occupies one and two 

 half- scales, and gradually narrows to the carina of the middle dorsal 

 row, becoming obsolete at the anus. The carinfe of the 2d and 3d 

 rows of exterior dorsal scales show the faint line of greenish white, 

 only perceptible on close observation. The lores, labials, cheeks, 

 and head beneath, greenish white, gradually shading into the blue- 

 black of the abdomen at or about the anterior fifth. 

 Puget Sound, Or. 158. 73. 19. 26:}. 6 J. (on dep.) Expl. Exped. 



In another specimen, with the general color very dark, the verte- 

 bral line occupies one and two half-scales throughout. The black on 

 each side appears formed by the confluence above of about 76 spots 

 from head to anus, each spot from IJ to2 scales lotig. In other 

 words, there is a stripe of black 3 J scales wide on each side of the 

 vertebral line, confluent with which is a series of black spots on each 

 side, as indicated. The lateral stripe is on the 2d lateral row of 

 scales, of a greenish white color, and confluent with the intervals of 

 the spots also of the same color. The stripe is not well defined, but 

 swells and narrows like a knotted cord. Exterior row of dorsal 



