48 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP 



found until cold weather in October. In spite of their remark- 

 able agility, they are one of the animals oftenest found in the 

 stomach of the larger snakes. 



Alligator mississippiensis. 



Of common and regular occurrence in the swamps of the ad- 

 joining land, and said also to occur in the woody, marshy part 

 of the island. 



OpMsaurus ventralis, Daud. 



One of the most abundant and characteristic reptiles of the 

 island. The first examples noticed each year wei-e taken the 

 third week in March, and this is probably the usual time of their 

 appearance. Like the smaller lizard, they are out until the cold 

 weather of October. They avoid the wetter parts of the island, 

 and are especially numerous in open grassy places, as about the 

 fort, where they may be almost daily taken during the summer- 

 They appear rather inactive, if not sluggish, make little or no 

 resistance when captured, and readily become tame. With an 

 average length of a foot and a half, specimens were taken ranging 

 from a few inches to nearly a 3'ard ; and the tints vary greatly, 

 the variation being apparently a matter of individual peculiarity. 



Ophidia. 



Caudisona horrida (Li)in.), Cope, Pr. A. N. S. Philada. 1859, 338, and Smiths. 

 Cont., Jan. 1861, 122. 



Common in the vicinity, and certainly occurring on the islands 

 as well, though not obtained there. One specimen measured 

 upwards of five feet in length. 



Ancistrodon contortrix, B. & Gr. 



Common, chiefly in low, moist places. 



Nerodia sipedon, B. & G. 



Rather uncommon here, according to my observations. One 

 specimen was taken in the open sea, swimming among the breakers. 



OpMbolus getulus, B. & G. 



Common. Females with eggs taken in Sn\y. One specimen, 

 nearly 6 feet long, presented a different pattern of coloration from 

 that usually seen ; one set of branches of the series of bifurcations 

 of the yellow lines being defective, giving the snake the appear- 



[May 9, 



