874 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1898. 



four and two lialf-scales iu length; the spaces between embrace about 

 two scales. Posteriorly the blotches become quadrate, and the inter- 

 mediate spaces increase so as to be at first equal to the blotches, and 

 toward the origin of the tail they are actually wider by one scale than 

 the blotches themselves. On the tail the blotches assume the shape of 

 narrow transverse bars, tapering downward. On each side of the dor- 

 sal blotches is a series of much smaller and somewhat irregular blotches 

 margined with black, the blotches being opposite to the light sjiaces, 

 alternating, but not confluent with the medial blotches. On the ante- 

 rior tlurd of the body a series of small blotches is observed on the 



Fig. 206. 



PiTYOPHIS SAYI BKLLONA BAIRD AND (ilRARD. 



= 1. 



Second specimen, showinpf variations. 



flanks, and beneath it a series of elongated black x>atches, all of which 

 exhibit a tendency to become obsolete vertical bars, more apparent 

 posteriorly in very large individuals, giving to the flanks a nebulous 

 appearance. The head above is yellowish brown, with small black 

 spots on the vertex and occiput. Frontal black bar distinct in small 

 individuals, obsolete in very large ones; postorbitalvitta narrow; sub- 

 orbital spot small. Inferior surface of the head and abdomen light 

 straw color, with an external series of distant black spots on each side, 

 confluent under the tail, and constituting a medial band. Tail neither 

 ringed nor longitudinally striped below with brown or black. 



