BASCANION. 95 



sides. Beneath greenish white, each scutella with from two to four 

 dark spots on the edges. Top of head yellowish gray, posterior 

 margins of both pairs of frontals dark chestnut, as are the contiguous 

 edges of the superciliaries and vertical, and posterior edges of the 

 superciliaries and occipitals as well as a small blotch on the outer 

 edge of the superciliaries, and a broad patch in the centre of the oc- 

 cipitals running up into the vertical. Sides of head white, especially 

 labials and orbitals ; tinged with bluish behind the eyes, and spotted 

 with dark brown. 



Specimens over 18 inches lose the blotching, and become more and 

 more uniform, although to a considerable size showing traces of the 

 spots on the abdominal scutella^. 



Carlisle, Pa. 183+1. 91. 17. 



" 186+1. 83. 17. 



" 183+1. 91. 17. 

 AnneArundelCo.,Md. 184+1. 94. 17. 



Anderson, S. C. 180+1.100.17. 



" 177+1. 93. 17. 



Cliarleston, S. C. 177+1.105.17. 



2. Bascanion FrjBIllOlltii, B. & G. — Black, and similar to B. 

 constrictor, but stouter. Scales behind the head broader, those on the back, 

 narrower. Tip only of the lower jaw white. 



The single specimen in our possession of this species is too much 

 mutilated to allow of an accurate diagnosis of its character. By 

 comparison with a large number of specimens of Bascanion con- 

 strictor, its distinction is sufficiently evident. For the reasons given, 

 however, it will be necessary to make the description comparative 

 with that of B. constrictor. The body is stouter. The scales back 

 of the head a good deal broader, while those on the back generally 

 are more elongated and less truncate. The head is larger in all its 

 dimensions. The color appears to be intense black, tinged with slate 

 on the belly. Head entirely black, except the end of the lower jaw, 

 which is white. The specimen was collected in California by Col. 

 J. C. Fremont, to whom we dedicate the species. 



California. 183+1. — 17. 55. 12f. Col. J..C. Fremont. 



