794 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1898. 



Baird and Girard give the following scutal formulae and measure- 

 ments, the latter in inches : 



Gastrosteges. TTrosteges. Length. Tail. 



Carlisle, Pennsylvaniii 178+1. 93. 40^. lOf. 



Do ] 189+1. 95. 50. 12i 



Do 184+1. 95. 58. 13. 



Do 178+1. 95. 37|. 10. 



Anderson, South Carolina 179+1. 41. 



Do 185+1. 90. 47i. 12^. 



Kemper County, Mississippi 175+1. 30. 6f. 



Do 181+1. 43i. 11|. 



Mississippi 181+1. 110. 33. 10. 



Prairie Mer Rouge, Louisiana 183+1. 28f. 



Carlisle, Pennsylvania 183+1. 91. 21. 5i. 



Do 186+1. 83. 15|. 3f. 



Do 183+1. 91. 21. 5i. 



Anne Arundel County, Maryland 184+1. 94. 14J. 3^. 



Anderson, South Carolina 180+1. 100. 21^. 5f. 



Do 177+1. 93. 21i. 5f. 



Charleston, South Carolina 177+1. 105. 21^. 5|. 



California 183+1. 55. 12|. 



San Diego, California 174+1; 86; 1,080 mm.; 235 mm. 



The length and diameter of the tail vary considerably, some being 

 quite slender and others quite robust. Of the sleuder- tailed forms, two 

 (Cat. Nos. 8298,4498) are females. The lengths are as follows: B. c. 

 constrictor: three and one-fifth in total length, Cat. No. 8298; three and 

 three-fifths, Cat. No. 4447; three and two-thirds, Cat. No. 11440; three 

 and three- fourths. Cat. Nos. 1764,4448; four and two-fifths. Cat. Nos. 

 7194,1788; four and one-half. Cat. No. 4444; four and three-quarters, 

 Cat. No. 10650. B. c. JJavivoitris: three and two-fiftlis, Cat. No. 10717; 

 three and two-thirds, Cat. No. 12588; three and four-fifths. Cat. No. 4418; 

 three and six-sevenths. Cat. No. 2132; four, Cat. No. 1741; four and 

 one tenth. Cat. No. 7812; four and one-third, Cat. No. 78126; four and 

 two-fifths. Cat. No. 12581. 



The Zamenis constrictor is the "black snake" of the East and the 

 " blue" and " green racer" of the West. It is everywhere an active, vigor- 

 ous snake, getting over the ground or through the brandies of bushes 

 with great rapidity. It is courageous, and will sometimes attack, mov- 

 ing forward 'with the head raised from 1 to 2 feet above the ground. 

 It, however, quickly turns about and runs if the enemy preserves a bold 

 front. In confinement it is sometimes quite irascible, showing attack 

 on every movement of its captor. It is, however, easily tamed, and then 

 takes food, being said to be especially fond of milk. Of all our snakes 

 it is the most useful to th© farmer, from the great number of moles and 

 mice which it consumes. It is also a robber of birds' nests. 



Dr. Henry Bions gives the following account of the courtship of the 

 green racer of the Kansas plains:^ 



The manner of union of the sexes at this season is rather instructive. The female 

 among the racers (Bascaninm) is larger aud darker than the males, and not so grace- 



' American Naturalist, 1882, p. 365. 



