CROCODILIANS, LIZARDS, AND SNAKES. 



0G7 



Trausverse lozeuge-sliaped or oblong black patches ou the back, 

 tapering- on the sides, separated by oblong or triangular marks of 

 red on the flanks; dorsal spots generally luucli longer anteriorly. No 

 lateral spots alternating with the dorsal spots. Dorsal rows of scales 

 twenty-three, sometimes twenty -five. 



Head elliptical, tapering to the snout. 1 )orsal rows of scales twenty- 

 three to twenty-five, all carinated; carina' on the dorsal region very 

 conspicuous. Scales on the outer row broad and rounded posteriorly. 

 Tail one-fourth of total length, very much tapering. Frontal plate 

 elongated, i)entagoiuil, posterior angle obtuse. Superciliaries very 

 narrow, one preorbital and three postorbitals. Superior labials eight 

 in number; sixth and seventh very large. Inferior labials nine; fourth 



Fig. 250. 

 Natrix fasciata fasciata Linn^us. 



Clearwater, Florida. 



Cat. No. 10740, U.S.N. M. 



and fifth largest. A large temporal shield anteriorly contiguous to the 

 postorbitals, followed by two other large scuta. 



Ground color above in the adult uniform blackish brown, lighter in 

 the young, crossed by transverse lozenge-shaped blackish patches 

 irregularly tapering on the sides throughout the length. There are 

 from thirty to thirty-eight subtriangular or vertical oblong red spots 

 extending between three cross-bands to the abdominal scutella'. The 

 twenty-sixth of these red markings is opposite to the anus, and twelve 

 smaller ones may be observed along the tail, gradually diminishing 

 posteriorly. A black vitta extends from the posterior rim of the eye 

 to behind the angle of the mouth, above and below which a light 

 elongated patch tinged with red may be seen. Labials dusky, mar- 

 gined with reddish brown, lielly yellowish or reddish, marked with 



