606 NORTH AMERICAN SNAKES— COPE 



Rhinochiliis lecontei Bd. and Gird. 



Cat. N. Auier. Serp., 1853, 120 : Baird U. S. Mex. Bound. Surv., ii, Kept., p. 21, PI. 

 XX ; Cope, Check List Batr. Kept. N. Ainer., 187.5, 36, Jan. Icon. Geu. Otid. iii, 

 48iii, Fig. 1. 



This species displays remarl^able variations iu coloratiou. In No. 

 5168 the large blotches are peifectly distinct, and their lateral inter- 

 spaces have but faint traces of markings. In 2020, 2023, 2030, 2031, 

 11743, and 11781, all of small size, and some fully grown, there is a 

 vertical black spot between the dorsal blotches on each side. In 8370, 

 4471, and 4472 the entire space on the sides between the dorsal blotches 

 is marked with a black spot on the center of each scale. Nos. 8021 

 and 8022 are moro like the lirst noted variety, but carry the peculiarity 

 further. The dorsal blotches are perfectly distinct from each other, 

 and are truncate, and not narrowed at their inferior border. Very few 

 of the scales have light centers, and there are no intermediate lateral 

 spots Belly spots sparse. In No. 8022 a wide longitudinal median 

 black band forms with the occi])ital spot an anchor-shaped figure. 

 This variety is approached nearly by the second and only other species 

 of the genus, the B. antonii Duges, which has the black cross bands 

 fewer iu number and wider. It is from Mazatlan. Individuals also 

 differ iu the relative size of the loreal plate and number of cross bars. 

 In one from the Canadian River there are thirty-seven rings, in one 

 from the Llano Estacado, twenty- six. In another from the same locality 

 the abdomen is black tesselated ; iu all others, white. 



The range of the BhinocMlus lecontei is throughout the Sonoran dis- 

 trict. The most eastern and northern locality known for it is Garden 

 City, iu southwest Kansas where Prof. Cragin, of Topeka, obtained a 

 specimen. It presents the anomaly of haviug the loreal plate to enter 

 the orbit below the preocular, 



OSCEOLA Bd. and Gird. 



Cat. Rept. N. Amer. PI. i. Serpents, 1853, p. 133. 



Head distinct from the body. Cephalic plates normal. Prefrontals 

 extending to the upper labials, and suppressing the loreal. Two nasals, 

 with nostril between. One anterior orbital. Meutal scutella two pairs. 

 Body slender, subcylindrical. Scales smooth. Postabdominal scutellum 

 entire. Subcaudals bifid. 



Csceola elapsoidea Holbrook. 



Bd. and Gird., Cat. Serpt N. Amer., 1853, p. 133; Cope, Chock List, 1875; p. 36, Calam- 

 aria elapsoidea Holbrook, N. Amer. Herpet., 1842, iii. 119, PL 28. Ophibolus doliatus 

 var. elajysoideus Garman, Mem. Miis. Comp., Zoiil. Cambr., viii, 1843, p. 155. 



In two specimens of the eight which have come under my observa- 

 tion, the loreal plate is present (Nos. 9GS9 and 11988). In No. 55G0 

 there are two temporal scuta on one side, instead of the norinal number, 

 one. The Floridau district. 



