THE REPTILES OF OHIO 35 



Dorsal scale rows 13 throughout the length of the body; the scales smooth. 

 Upper labials 5 (4 on one side in a single specimen) ; lower labials 6(5 and 

 7 in single instances). One postocular; temporals usually 1-2, rarely 1-1 (the 

 anterior temporal fused with the parietal in three cases). Ventrals in males 

 113 to 124, average 118; in females 121 to 128, average 124. Subcaudals in 

 males 30 to 38, average 35; in females 25 to 31, average 27. Anal plate 

 divided. 



Color above, including rostral, head and entire dorsal surface (except the 

 first scale row) some shade of chestnut or pinkish brown. Color below, pink, 

 including upper and lower labials, chin, throat, abdomen, under surface of 

 tail, the first row and frequently a portion of the second row of scales. Pre- 

 served specimens fade to light brown above and yellow below. Newly hatched 

 young are usually darker in color above than adults. 



The scales are opalescent and the general appearance shiny. The body is 

 translucent and if specimens are held before a strong light the lung and heart 

 may be seen in movement. 



Specimens examined, 60; specimens preserved, 56; specimens studied, 56. 



Affinities. — Blanchard (1924a) separates Carphophis amoena belenae from 

 Carphophis amoena amoena on the basis of the frequency with which the inter- 

 nasal and prefrontal plates are fused with one another. His studies show that 

 in helenae 89% of the specimens have the plates fused and in amoena 97% 

 have them separate. Of the 56 Ohio specimens studied, 40, or 71% have each 

 internasal fused with its corresponding prefrontal to form a single large scale 

 on either side of the median line. In 11 specimens the internasals and pre- 

 frontals are entirely separate, in 3 they are separate on one side but fused on 

 the other, and in 2 they are partially separated although appearing essentially 

 as one scale. The Ohio specimens thus show a somewhat intermediate condi- 

 tion between amoena and helenae, but the material as a whole is much closer 

 to the latter. 



Range. — Central Illinois to southern Ohio and West Virginia and south 

 to southeastern Louisiana, Mississippi and northwestern Alabama. In Ohio 

 the worm snake has been collected only in the southern counties (see Map 6) . 

 Locality records are: 



Adams County: 3 ml. W of Rarden (TZS 1072, 1163). Greene County: 

 Yellow Springs (Morse, 1904). HocKING CoUNTY: "Neotoma," Good Hope Twp. 

 (PI. 5, fig. 1); Salt Creek Twp. (AS; OSM 395.1. 407.1; TZS 977). Lawrence 

 County: 'ironfon (Smith, 1882). Meigs County: (Morse. 1904); 2 mi. E of Bashan 

 (OSM 394.1); Salem Twp. (TZS 1170). MoNROE CoUNTY: Morton (USNM 

 8853). Pike County: 6 mi. WSW of Bainbridae (TZS 770-1); Laurel Ridge, 

 Sunfish Twp. (TZS 1076-7); 4 mi. E of Waverly (OSM 415.1-.2; TZS 1061-9). 

 Ross County: Salt Creek near Londonderry (shed skin). SciOTO CoUNTY: Near 

 Friendship (TZS 1057); 2 mi S of Henley (TZS 1879); 8 mi. SW of Ofway 

 (TZS 1883-4, 1922); 8 mi. SW of Portsmouth (OSM 76.1 -.7; TZS 1138-45; 

 10 mi. SW of Portsmouth (TZS 1813-5, 1878); 12 mi. SW of Portsmouth (TZS 

 1806-12). Vinton County: 1 mi. W of Allensville (TZS 293). 



