40 NERODIA. 



pentagonal, broad. Transversal lozenge-shaped or oblong black patches on 

 the back, tapering on the sides. About thirty oblong or triangular marks 

 of red on the flanks. Dorsal rows of scales 23, sometimes 25. 



Syn. Coluber fasciatus, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 378. — Holbr. N. Amer. 

 Herp. I, 1838, 93. PI. xx. 



Coluber porcatus, Harl. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. V, 1827, 356. 

 Tropidonotus fasciatus, Holbk. N. Amer. Herp. 2d ed. Ill, 1842, 25. PI. v. 



Head elliptical, tapering on the snout. Dorsal rows of scales 23-25, 

 all cariuated ; carince on the dorsal region very conspicuous. Scales 

 on the outer row broad and rounded posteriorly. Tail one-fourth of 

 total length, very much tapering. Vertical plate elongated, pentago- 

 nal, posterior triangular portion obtuse. Superciliaries very narrow. 

 Two postorbitals and sometimes three. Superior labials 8 in num- 

 ber; 6th and 7th very large. Inferior labials 9 ; 4th and 5th largest. 

 Last abdominal scutella divided. A large temporal shield anteriorly 

 contiguous to the postorbitals. 



Ground-color above in the adult uniform blackish brown, lighter 

 in the young, which exhibit transverse lozenge-shaped black patches 

 irregularly tapering on the sides. There are fi'om 30 to 38 subtri- 

 angular or vertically oblong red spots extending to the abdominal 

 scutellae. The 26th of these red markings is opposite to the anus, 

 and twelve smaller ones may be observed along the tail, gradually 

 diminishing posteriorly. A black vitta extends from the posterior 

 rim of the eye to behind the angle of the mouth, above and below 

 which a light elongated patch tinged with red may be seen. Under- 

 neath reddish white. Labials dusky, margined with reddish brown. 



Charleston, S. C. 132+1. 70. 25. 28. 7. Dr. Barker. 



« 130+1. 41. 23. 40. Qh Acad. Nat. Sc. 



Summerville, S. C. 128+1. 75. 23. 21. bh C Girard. 



3. IVerodia eryt Jirogaster, B. & G.— Head elongated, narrowing 

 forwards ; occipital region flattened ; convex on the snout. Vertical plate 

 pentagonal, very large, as are also the occipitals. Three postorbitals. An 

 elevated loral. Dorsal rows of scales 23 in number, all very strongly cari- 

 nated. Uniform dark bluish black above, lighter on the sides ; a lateral or 

 external band of dull blue extending on the abdominal scutellss. Body be- 

 neath uniform dull yellow, tail bluish. 



Syn. Coluber erythrogaster, Shaw, Gen. Zool. Ill, 1804, 458.— Holbr. N. 

 Amer. Herp. II, 1838, 91. PI. xix. 



