66 THE AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 



even after biting king snakes repeatedly. Snakes of all species are usually 

 seized by the head which, of course, lessens the victim's chance for resistance. 

 Captive black king snakes were observed to stalk other snakes and refrain from 

 grasping them until an opportunity was afforded to strike at the head. 



Some observations on the eggs and young of the black king snake have 

 been published recently (Conant, 1934c). A female 33 inches in length laid 

 10 eggs June 22, 1933, and another 35% inches in length deposited 9 eggs 

 June 25, 1933. These were capsule-shaped except for a few which were 

 pointed at one end; all were white at first but became yellowish in a few hours. 

 The eggs of one clutch were all adherent to one another, but in the other 

 clutch some were together and some were not, probably because the snake had 

 moved while depositing them. Measurements varied in length from 28.1 to 47 

 mm. and in width from 17.4 to 22.6 mm., and the averages of the two clutches 

 were respectively 31.4 by 18.5 and 41.5 by 21.6 mm. Young, which hatched 

 from 78 to 81 days after the eggs were laid, measured from 91/4 to 10% 

 inches in length. 



Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum (Lacepede) 



Milk Snake; House Snake 



Description. — A moderately slender, medium sized snake attaining a length 

 of a yard or more. Largest adult Ohio specimen ( 5 ), 43^/4 inches in length; 

 smallest juvenile, probably recently hatched, 8% inches. Head small, flat- 

 tened and but little distinct from neck. Eye small; head plates normal. Two 

 nasals; the nostril lateral and between them. A single loreal present. Body 

 moderately slender and of approximately the same diameter throughout. Tail 

 stout, tapering to a point and terminated normally by a short, stout spine. 



Dorsal scale rows 21-19-17 in the majority of specimens but occasionally 

 21-19; a maximum of 23 in one specimen from Lucas County. Scales smooth. 

 Upper labials 7 (8 on one side in a specimen from Scioto County) ; lower 

 labials usually 9, occasionally 8 or 10. One preocular and 2 postoculars. 

 Temporals 2 in the first row, and 3, less often 2, in the second row. Ventrals 

 in males 195 to 208, average 201.8; in females 197 to 210, average 203.3. 

 Subcaudals in males 46 to 53, average 49.4; in females 42 to 48, average 45.6. 

 Anal plate single. 



Ground color some shade of grey, tan or light brown. There are five 

 longitudinal series of dark blotches of which the ones of the median row are 

 much the largest, being longer than broad and involving approximately 11 to 

 16 rows of scales transversely and 4 to 7 rows longitudinally. Alternating 

 with the central series, and usually involving the 2nd to the lower part of the 

 6th row of scales on either side, is another series of blotches, below which in 

 turn is still another series involving the ends of the ventrals and the first 2 or 

 3 rows of scales. Blotches are brown, maroon or reddish brown to red and are 

 bordered with black; juveniles are usually reddish but adults are browner. 

 The blotches of the median series are much the brightest; the lowermost series 

 is frequently dark grey or black. The blotches in the median series vary from 

 27 to 51 in number counting from the head to a point directly above the anus. 



