8Q OPHIBOLUS. 



Stx\. Coluber rjetulus. Link. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 382.— Gm. Linn. Syst. Nat. 

 ed. xiii, I, iii, 1788, 1106.— Harl. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. V, 1827, 

 358 ; and Med. & Phys. Res. 1835, 122.— Peale, Cont. Macl. Lye. I, 1829. 

 PI. V. 



Fseudoelaps getulus, FiTZ. N. Class. Eept. 1826, 56. 



Coronella getula, Holer. N. Amer. Herp. III. 1842, 95. PI. xxi. 



Anguis annulatus, Catesb. Nat. Hist. Carol. II, 1748, 52. Tab. Iii. 



Thunder Snake ; King Snake ; Chain Snake. 



Very similar in general relations to 0. Sayi, although the body 

 appears rather stouter, and the head and eyes somewhat larger in 

 proportion. The color above is deep lustrous black, crossed by about 

 33 continuous yellow lines, the 26th opposite the anus. These lines, 

 which on the middle of the back are narrow, one-half or one scale in 

 width, widen rapidly till they meet the lateral series of black blotches, 

 when they extend longitudinally in either direction, and anastomose 

 with their fellows. On each side, and alternating with the dark en- 

 closures on the back, is a series of deep black blotches, extending 

 from the abdomen (where those of opposite sides are generally con- 

 fluent) over the 1st and 2d outer rows of scales. These blotches are 

 rounded above, five or six scales long, and separated from the nearest 

 dark part of the back by one or one-half scale. The outer edge of 

 the abdomen, and the exterior dorsal rows between these blotches 

 being yellow, causes the chain pattern to be continuous, enclosing a 

 series of elongated dorsal spots, from 7 to 10 scales long and about 

 17 wide. Centre of abdomen largely blotched with black, usually 

 confluent with the blotches already mentioned. The plates on the 

 head are black, with yellow spots. 



The pattern as here described is subject to some irregularities, the 

 chain being sometimes broken, and the lines oblique, not transverse, 

 and the dark blotches of opposite sides not truly opposite to each 

 other. 



Anderson, S. C. 224. 48. 21. 30J. 4i Miss C. Paine. 



, Charleston, S. C. 213. 52. 21. 47i 7h Dr. S. B. Barker. 



^-\l^\ 31ississ{p2n. — — — Dr. B. F. Shumard. 



5. Opliibolaii^ rliomboniacBilatus, B. & G.— Light chestnut, 

 with a dorsal series, and two lateral on each side of darker rhomboid 

 blotches. Each blotch with still darker margins. 



Syn. Coronella rhombomaculaia, Holbr. N. Amer. Herp. Ill, 1842, 103. 

 PL xsiii. 



