THE REPTILES OF OHIO 17 



ber of rows of scales shows the reduction or addition of rows beginning on 

 the neck and ending just anterior to the anus. Ventral counts are from the 

 first transversely enlarged scale under the throat to, and including, the anal 

 plate. The number of subcaudals includes the terminal spine or scale on the 

 end of the tail. 



Oculars are expressed in the text as 2-3, 1-2, etc., in which the first figure 

 refers to the number of preoculars and the second to the number of post- 

 oculars. Temporals are expressed as 1-1-2, 2-3-2, etc., in which the first figure 

 refers to the number of temporals in the first row, the second figure those in 

 the second row, and the third figure those in the third row. 



The Ohio material of each species available for study is indicated at the 

 end of the descriptions under three headings, namely "Specimens Examined," 

 "Specimens Preserved," and "Specimens Studied." Under the first of these is 

 given the total number of Ohio specimens which passed through the hands of 

 the writer, including all preserved material, live individuals, those found dead 

 upon the road, etc. Under the second heading is given the total of museum 

 specimens seen during the course of the work. Under the last is stated the 

 number upon which scale counts and pattern studies were made and hence 

 the number of specimens which form the basis of the description. 



Next in order appears a statement of the general range of the species. 

 Following this is given the range within the borders of the state and if such 

 is of particular or unusual interest, attention is directed to the fact. Next is 

 presented a list of Ohio localities arranged alphabetically by counties. 



The preparation of the locality lists required much time and effort. No 

 map was found which shows all the localities given by divers collectors and 

 noted in the catalogues of the various museums. Some few ambiguous locali- 

 ties were impossible to locate and all such are religiously excluded as are also 

 those which give the locality merely as "Ohio." Others were ascertained only 

 after making careful inquiry concerning local names, checking misspellings, 

 etc. The topographical maps of the United States Geological Survey, which 

 fortunately are complete for Ohio, are the most detailed and accurate which 

 have appeared and they have been used as the standard for plotting and list- 

 ing the localities. In cases where a locality was traced only with difficulty, 

 the writer has appended the name of a nearby town or the township in which 

 the locality is situated. 



The topographical maps are much too bulky for general use and in their 

 stead, when too great detail was not required, it was found convenient to 

 utilize Rand McNally's Pocket Map of Ohio. This map shows the township 

 boundary lines and is accompanied by a gazeteer of cities and towns. The 

 official road map of Ohio, published by the State Department of Highways, 

 was also found useful in locating the state parks and other points of public 

 interest. 



Certain policies have been maintained in the preparation of the locality 

 lists. No hearsay evidence has been accepted and only those specimens which 



