76 * SCOTOPHIS. 



nape, and occasionally the blotches anteriorly are irregular, oblique, 

 and varying in size. This occurs, however, only on the anterior fifth 

 of the body, behind which the intervals between the blotches are 

 rectilinear, nearly equal, and about one and a half scales in length. 

 The blotches are generally embraced between the 5th or 6th rows 

 on each side, and are 3 to 4 scales long. The sides of the blotches 

 are not linear but obtuse angled. On each side is a series of smaller 

 rounded blotches on the 3-7th rows, similar in color to those on the 

 back, and like them with a black border, sometimes more or less in- 

 terrupted. Another series of subquadrate black blotches, about the 

 same size as the last, is visible on the edge of the abdomen, some- 

 times involving the 1st and 2d rows of scales, these are opposite to 

 the dorsal blotches. Rest of the abdomen yellowish white, with al- 

 ternating quadrate blotches of black. The brown color becomes 

 lighter on the sides. 

 Racine, Wise. 202+1. 68. 25. 32. 7. Dr. P. R. Hoy. 



A second much larger specimen from Michigan has the ground- 

 color a yellowish brown, and there is a black streak from the eye to 

 the angle of the mouth; a second vertical stripe under the eye. The 

 spots on the back are only about 45, of which 13 belong to the tail. 



This species is probably allied to C calUgaster of Say, but no men- 

 tion is made of the abdominal blotches, and Drs. Holbrook and Hal- 

 lowell assure us particularly that the scales are smooth. 



Grosse lie, Mich. 202+1.69.25. 57.9. Eev. Chas. Fox. 



4. Scotopllis COIifinls^ B. & G. — Vertical plate longer tlian broad. 

 Nostrils more anterior than in S. vulpinus. Dorsal rows 2-5, outer rather 

 larger ; exterior 6 rows smooth ; abdominal scales 240. Quadrate dorsal 

 blotches elongated throughout, 5-6 scales long. 



Head large, broad. Posterior frontals large ; anterior consider- 

 ably smaller ; occipitals broad, large. Eye rather large ; centre over 

 the line joining the 4th and 5th labials : orbits above the whole of 

 the 4th and 5th labials. Upper labials 8, penultimate the largest, 

 last one large; inferior 12 or 11, posterior small. Nostrils nearly 

 terminal. Rostral narrow, high. 



Seales rather short. Outer six rows smooth, remainder very obso- 

 letely carinated. Exterior row rather larger, rest nearly uniform. 



