674 NOKTH AMERICAN SNAKES COPE. 



Natrix taxispilota Holbrook. ^ 



Cope,Proc. U. S. Nat. Mns., 1888, p. 392. 



Tropidonotus taxispilotits Holbrook, N. Atuer. Herpet., iv, 1H43 ; p. 35, PI. 8, Dum. 



Bibr., Erp. Gen. vii, 1854, p. 605; Jan, Icon. Gen. Olid.,ii, 26, v. Fig. 1. 

 Tropidonotus taxispiJohts ? var Brochi Heilprin, Transac. Wagner Free lust. Science i, 



1887, 129, PL 17. 



This is the largest American water snake. Its rauge is limited, ex 

 teiuliug ill the Aiistroripariau region from the Potomac River to New 

 Orleans and to Florida, inclusive. 



CLONOPHIS Cope. 



Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1888, p. 391 ; Cora Jan, Elenco Sist. 1863, p. 74, not of Selys, 

 1853, nor Bonap., 1854. 



Teeth of equal length. Head not distinct from body. Scales 

 keeled; anal scutum and subcaudal scuta divided. Cephalic plates 

 normal ; two internasals, rostral not prominent. One nasal, one loreal, 

 and one i^reocular. 



But one species of this genus is known. I formerly placed it in Tro- 

 pidoclonium, but that form has an undivided anal plate. Both are 

 burrowing snakes of aflhuities to the water snakes. 



Clonophis kirtlandii Kenu. 



Cope, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1888, p. 391; Retina kirtlandii Kenuicott, 1856, p. 95; 

 Tropidoclonium kirtlandii Cope, Proc. Acad. Phila., 1860, p. 340; Check List 

 Batr. Kept. N. Amer., 1875, j). 42. Ischnognathus kirtlandii Jau, Icon. Gen. Otid. 

 11,30, Fig. I. 



This species has a limited rauge ; it has been recorded so far from 

 northern Illinois and Michigan only. 



STORERIA Bd. and Gird. 



Cat, Rept. N. Amer., Pt. i, Serpt., 1853, p. 135. Ischnognathus Dum^ril, Prodrome des 

 Opbidens, 1853, p. 72; Dum. Bibron, Erp. Gen. vii, 1854, p. 506. 



Head distinct from the body. Cephalic plates normal. Loral plate 

 absent. Orbitals, posterior and anterior. Nasals, two. Body subcyl- 

 iudrical ; tail comparatively short, tapering. Dorsal scales cariuated. 

 Anal scutum bitid. Subcaudals divided. Teeth small, numerous, of 

 equal lengths, none grooved. 



This genus is a reduced type of Natrix, to which it is connected by 

 the Mexican N. storcrmles Cope. Its range is Nearctic, extending 

 south as far as the plateau of Vera Paz and Guatemala. 



There are three si)ecies of the genus, which differ as follows : 

 Oculars 1-2, seven upper labials, the posterior wide ; nostril between nasals ; belly 



grayish white ; a black spot below orbit S. dekayi. 



Oculars 1-2; six upper labials, the posterior narrow; nostril between nasals; no 



black spot below orbit; belly grayish white S. tropica.^ 



Oculars 2-2; five or six upper labials, the posterior narrow ; nostril in anterior nasal: 

 a dark spot below orbit; belly red S. occipitomaculata. 



• 



Stoiieria tkopica Cope, Proc, Amer. Pbjlos. Soc, 1884, p. 175; Guatemala. 



