38 



THE AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 



less often 7; lower labials 8, less commonly 7 and infrequently 9. Oculars 

 2-2 except in one specimen from Pike County which has the postoculars united 

 to form a single scale on the left side. Temporals 1-1, very rarely 2 in either 

 place (in a few individuals one or more posterior upper labials, usually the 

 next to the last, extend upward to meet the parietal, thus separating the two 

 temporals or uniting with either). Ventrals in males 139 to 161, average 151.2; 

 in females 150 to 165, average 157.8. Subcaudals in males 51 to 65, average 

 54.8; in females 47 to 62, average 52.1. Anal plate divided. 



Color above, dark grey, bluish slate or black. A prominent yellow or 

 orange-yellow ring, varying from 1 to 3 scales in width, crossing the neck 

 above, and bordered anteriorly and posteriorly by a shade somewhat darker 

 than the dorsal color. Under surface uniform yellow or orange except for a 

 small dash of pigment, somewhat darker than the dorsal color, on the postero- 

 lateral tip of each ventral and subcaudal. A few scattered black dots on the 

 ventral surface in some specimens, these tending to be arranged in a mid- 

 ventral row, particularly on the posterior portion of the belly. Labials and 



Map 7. Ohio locality records and general 

 range of the Ring-necked Snake, Diadophis 

 pimdatus edwardsii. 



