846 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1898. 



In the general obsoleteness of the markings the blotches may some- 

 times be detected as more or less contiueut between the different series. 



In two other specimens, Cat. Nos. 10578, 10651, the belly is nearly 

 uniform yellowish ; the black of the upper parts is replaced by umber- 

 brown. The blotches are visible, but very obsoletely. 



TJrosteges 



Cat. No8. 



Gastrosteji 



Scales. 



Leugth. 

 mm. 



89. 



Tail. 

 mm. 



11. 1305. 275. 



1734 234+1. 



1569 232 + 1. 



r 238 + 1. 



'''^ 1242 + 1. 



2260 237 + 1. 



2421 - 232 + 1. 



2432 246 + 1. 



5502 _ - 243 + 1. 



5503 231 + 1. 



10389 235 + 1. 



10651 224 + 1. 



10578 246 + 1. 



This species shares with the C. vnlpinns the distinction of reaching a 

 larger size than any other member of the genus. 



This species is found over the entire Eastern district of the United 

 States, It is gentle in its disposition and sluggish in its movements. 



In the few specimens in which the lateral spots may be discriminated 

 they are seen to be of elongate form, with few exceptions (such as Cat. 

 No. 2421, Louisiana). In some specimens they are so elongate as to 

 form a narrow lateral band for a short distance anteriorly, as in two 

 specimens from Wheatland, Indiana (Cat. Nos. 10578, 10651). Such 

 forms prepare us for the subspecies G. o. lemniscatus. In the Texan 

 specimens, referred to a distinct species under the name of S. Undhei- 

 meri, the ground color is lighter, and the spots are distinct and S(|uare, 

 and do not form bands on the neck. I can not see that it is more than 

 a variety. 



This is the ''pilot .snake"' of the Allegheny mountaineers. 



Coluber ohsoleiuts ohsolelus Say. 



I^ocalitv. 



When 

 coUected. 



From wboui received. 



Dr. P.R. Hov 



Cheat River, Maryland. . 



Wheatland, Indiana 



Potomac Boat Landing 



Virginia. 

 Wheatland, Indiana . . . . 



Kansas 



Wbeelock, Texas 



Oct. 

 Apr. 



-, 1879 

 -, 1881 



r. r. McClean . . . 

 Robert Ridgway 

 J. C. Van Hook.. 



May — , 1881 \ Robert Ridgway 



Nature of 

 specimen. 



Carlisle, Pennsylvania Prof. S. F. Baird Alcoholic 



I type. 



Sprout River, Alabama . , 



Brazos River, Texas 



Fort Kiley, Kansas 



Western lilissouri 



Indepcudence, Missouri , 



Creek Boundary i | 



Klniira, Illinois I ; E. R. Boardman 



Soiitlu-rn Illinois ' R. Kennicott ... 



Kinston, North Carolina . . ! ; J. W. Milner 



Elmira, Illinois 



do. 



do. 

 do. 

 do. 

 do. 

 do. 

 do. 

 do. 

 do. 

 do. 

 do. 

 do. 

 do. 



do. 

 do. 

 do. 



