74 • SCOTOPHIS. 



two colors, as they extend towards each other, are of less and less 

 extent, mingling in the form of blotches : the anterior fourth shows 

 most of yellowish, the next fourth most of the black, the posterior 

 half uniform black. On separating the scales, those at certain suc- 

 cessive intervals on both back and sides will be found to have their 

 bases narrowly margined with white, as if the fundamental color con- 

 sisted of dark blotches on a white ground, as in *S'. Lindheimerii. 



A second specimen, smaller, shows the same characters, but with 

 more of white beneath. 



Carlisle, Fa. 234+1.86.27. 59j. lOf. S. F. Baird. 



Unknown. 233+1. 83. 27. 39i. 7i. Unknown. 



2. ScotoplliS I^indlaeimeril, B. & G.— Head broader than in 

 S. alleyhaniensis. Vertical plate as broad anteriorly as long. Posterior 

 upper labials smaller than in S. alleghaniensis. Dorsal series 29 ; abdominal 

 scutellte 228-235. Black dorsal and lateral blotches ; intermediate space 

 rather lighter, with scales edged with white. Scale on sides of neck white, 

 each with bluish spot. 



Occipitals moderate, their commissure equal in length to the verti- 

 cal. Orbits moderate, above the 4th and 5th labials, centre about 

 midway between the snout and angle of the mouth. Anterior orbital 

 large, single, extending nearly to the outer angle of the vertical. 

 Loral trapezoidal, highest anteriorly. Nasals moderate, including 

 nostrils between them. Labials 8 above, moderate, posterior small; 

 12 below; posterior very small, 6th and 7th largest. Nine rows of 

 scales between labials and abdominal scutella? at the angle of the 

 mouth. Outer ten rows smooth, then carinated very obsoletely^ 

 rather more decidedly and in increasing degree towards the back. 



Color above dark lead color, constituted by a dorsal series of 

 quadrangular blotches, about 34 from head to anus, rather acutely 

 emarginate before and behind, occupying a width equal to about 15 

 scales. The lozenge-shaped intervals between these blotches are 

 from two to three scales long centrally, diminishing and becoming 

 more linear posteriorly. On each side, and alternating with the 

 dorsal series, is a second alternating one, composed of subrectangu- 

 lar elongated blotches, and alternating again with these is a second 

 indistinct series along the edge of the abdomen. The entire system 

 of coloration is very difficult to define, the general appearance being 

 that of a black snake with irregular obsolete mottlings of white. 



