78 



THE AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 



The ends of the ventrals and the lower half of the first row of scales are 

 brown, usually of a richer hue than the brown of the dorsal surface and, in 

 contrast with the yellow lateral stripes and the yellow of the belly, stand out 

 as two longitudinal dark stripes. Ground color of belly yellowish, super- 

 imposed upon which are two parallel rows of small brown or grey squarish 

 blotches collectively extending the length of the adbomen and giving the ap- 

 pearance of two dark midventral stripes. Anteriorly these blotches unite to 

 form a single line on the throat, while posteriorly they are apt to become con- 

 fluent and may be represented solely by clouded or marbled areas, which 

 condition is the usual one in large specimens. The under side of the tail is 

 similar to the posterior portion of the belly. Chin and gulars are yellow. 



To avoid confusing the queen snake with the garter snakes it should be 

 remembered that the light middorsal stripe of the latter species is lacking in 

 the queen snake. The double row of brown blotches on the belly is also 

 characteristic of the queen snake. 



Specimens examined, 257; specimens preserved, 176; specimens studied, 68. 



Map 18. Ohio locality records and general 

 range of the Queen Snake, Nalrix seplem- 

 \<iUaia. 



