750 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1898. 



DIADOPHIS AMABILIS STICTOGENYS Cope. 



Diadophis punctatus var. stictogenyH Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1860, 



p. 250. 

 r>. punctatus stictogenys Cope, Check-list N. Ainer. Batr. Rept., 1875, j). 37. 



The regular arrangement of the abdominal spots in three rows 

 approximates this form to the D. punctatus. In fact, it only differs 

 from it in the possession of but seven labial plates, and a speckled 

 lower labial and giilar region. As occasional specimens of I), punctatus 

 are found with only seven superior labials, the approximation is close. 



The number of rows of 

 scales is fifteen ; the super- 

 ior labials are seven, eye 

 resting on third and fourth, 

 as is sometimes the case 

 in punctatus. Color above 

 light brownish olive, a 

 broad yellow collar, bord- 

 ered witli black as in punc- 

 tatus. Each gastrostege 

 has a brown dot at its ex- 

 tremity, and the central 

 part of the margin the same color, forming a series of transversely 

 elongated spots. Fifth and sixth upper labials each with a brown dot. 

 Symphyseal and lower labials with a brown dot in the center of each, 

 two on each anterior geneial, one at the posterior end of postgeneials 

 and of all the throat scales. 



This form has a distribution confined to the Gulf States, extending 

 from Texas eastward to Savannah, Georgia. 



Diadophis amabilis stictogenys Cope. 



Fig. 161. 



OlADOPHI.S AMABILIS STICTOGENYS COPE. 

 X2, 



New Orleans. 



Cat. No. 15.^76, U.S.N.M. 



Cat. ^o. 2067, from Santa Magdalena, is intermediate between this 

 form and the C amabilis puchellns. The inferior row of scales is colored 

 like the ground of the abdomen, which has rather numerous, irregu- 

 lar, dark spots. The color of the upper surfaces is like that of D. a. 

 pulchellus, and the lips and throat are sparsely spotted. 



