HERPETOLOGY OF JAPAN. 



335 



1+2; supralabials 7, sixth largest, third and fourth entering orbit; 

 four lower labials in contact with anterior chin-sliields wliich are 

 longer than posterior; 21 rows of scales, with feeble keels visible on 

 the middle nine rows; 207 ventrals, scarcel}" angulate laterally; anal 

 divided; 74 pairs of subcaudals. Color (in alcohol) above uniform 

 drab-gray, the outer seven or eight scales with black bases and lateral 

 margins, and a black spot on the upturned outer portion of every 

 other or third ventral; head above with a few black marks, viz, an 

 inverted V on the frontal and ])arietal region with a black line on the 

 ]>(isterior thhd of the interparietal suture ; three black dots on pre- 

 frontals; a black line on the internasals along the suture with the 

 rostral ; on the sides of head a black mark on suture between first 

 and second supralabials and another under eye on suture between 

 third and fourth supralabials, this mark coming to the lower lip on 

 the suture between fourth and fifth lower labials; an oblique black 



285 



Figs. 284-286.— Elaphe conspicillata. 2 X nat. size. 284, top of head, with color pattern; 285 

 SIDE OF head; 286, underside of head. No. 36547, U.S.N.M. 



line from postoculars to lip across the middle of the sixth (penultimate) 

 supralabial ; underside whitish checkered with bold black spots, under- 

 side of tail with a narrow, often interrupted, black zigzag line on the 

 median suture. 



Dimensions. 



mm. 



Total length 771 



Snout to vent 623 



Vent to tip of tail 148 



The young, as a rule, have a much more distinct color pattern, such 

 as No. 6164, consisting of narrow, black, white-edged dorsal cross 

 bands alternating with vertical bars of the same width and color, 

 sometimes divided into two rows of spots; the pattern on the head is 

 much more distinct, and the black lines continuous, the most marked 

 being the inverted V, a curved line on the prefrontals between the 

 eyes, and the black band back of the upper outline of the rostral. 



