456 BULLETIN 58, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



is the minimum of the former and 46" the maximum of the latter. 

 Yet, of the 36 specimens enumerated, only one (Brit. Mus. No. A), 

 or less than 3 per cent would be unidentifiable by that test. The 

 averages 49 and 35.3 are much more significant, and it is scarcely to be 

 doubted that we have to do with a form which it will be advantageous 

 to recognize hj name. 



Contiguous to this South Chinese and Korean form we have 

 another occupying the mainland to the north and northwest. Its 

 chief characteristic consists in the greater number of ventrals, which 

 in 36 specimens vary between [147] 151-170 (average 158.4). In 

 addition numerous specimens have eight supralabials and about one- 

 half 23 scale rows instead of 21. With regard to the latter character 

 it is possible to divide the localities of these specimens into two classes, 

 the great majority of them occupA^ng the territory east of the Khin- 

 gan Mountains having 21 scales, those farther west 23. The percent- 

 age of exceptions in each group, namely, respectively 29 and 24 per 

 cent — is too great to make it advantageous to recognize two forms. 

 Unfortunately, the published records do not indicate whether the 

 number of supralabials is more constant. For the present at least 

 they must be united under the name of A. hlomlioffii intermedius, a 

 term consequently somewhat more comprehensive than Strauch's 

 original ^4. intermedius. 



We have thus three, or possibly four, local forms which maybe recog- 

 nized by the following key: 



a^. Ventrals 151, or less. 

 b\ Subcaudals 44, or more. 



c'. Underside black, more or less blotched with whitish A. blomhoffii, p. 457. 



C-. Underside whitish, sprinkled with blackish A. blomhoffii ? affmis, p. 461. 



h-. Subcaudals 46, or less ^4. blomhoffii brevicaudus , p. 463. 



a-. Ventrals (147) 151, or more A. blomhoffii interviedius, p. 464. 



The most interesting conclusion to be drawn from the above is that 

 the typical Japanese form is least closely related to the northern A. 

 intermedius, which occurs on the opposite side of the Sea of Japan, 

 and that their connection is only effected through the shorttailed 

 southern Chinese form, a conception entirely different from the one 

 formerly held, according to which there were two distinct species, 

 both occurring on either side of the Sea of Japan. The latter would 

 involve a previous northern line of intercommunication between the 

 two territories, while now it is seen that the connection between 

 these forms lies toward the south. 



a It would appear that the number may exceptionally reach 50, which is the maxi- 

 mum noted by Doctor Werner for some specimens from Hankow. I will here again call 

 attention to the fact that possibly some of Doctor Haberer's specimens alleged to have 

 been collected at Hankow in reality may be from Japan, where he also collected. (See 

 under Elaphe dimacophom, p. 326; quadrivirgata, p. 331; and conspicillata, p. 336.) 



