1004 RKPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1898. 



hexagoual, shield-shaped. Muzzle rather broad, eyes larger thau in 

 S. dclcayi. 



Color above light chestnut-brown, sometimes chestnut- gray, at others 

 olivaceous; a paler vertebral line from occiput to end of tail, about 

 three scales in width; on each side of this maybe seen a series of 

 minute brown spots, produced by the brown bases of the scales in the 

 third row on each side from the central series. Sometimes the brown 

 covers the whole scale, and gives rise to two dorsal lines; at others it 

 is almost entirely wanting, and this, connected as it generally is with 

 a less distinct vertebral band, gives the impression of a uniform tint 

 above. Upper margin of the exterior dorsal lines brighter yellowisb, 

 giving the effect in some cases of a lateral narrow light line. Abdo- 

 men in life salmon-color, in alcohol whitish yellow, with the sides finely 

 mottled with dark-brown, sometimes obsoletely, at others constituting 

 very distinct bands. These generally do not encroach upon the dorsal 

 scales. Occasionally, however, the middle of the exterior row of scales 

 exhibits a dark stripe. Immediately behind the occipital plates, and 

 on the median line, is seen a dull salmon-colored blotch, on each side 



Fig. 269. 



Storekia occipitomacdlata Stoher. 



X2. 



Upper Wisconsin River. 



Cat. No. 7280, U.S.N. M. 



of which, over the angle of the jaws, is a similar smaller one. The 

 intervals between these blotches sometimes darker. A small salmon- 

 colored spot on the fourth or fifth upper labial, behind the orbit. Plates 

 on the top of the head blotched with darker. Lower jaw minutely 

 dotted with brown. 



The following description of a living specimen caught at Westport, 

 New York, August, 1847, is from Prof. S. F. Baird's manuscripts : 



Iris dark chestnut, rather lighter above and externally. General color above dnll 

 chestnut-brown. Attentively examined, however, when wet, there is seen a faiut 

 dorsal stripe of lighter color, bordered by a line on each side of darker, which fades 

 off to the abdominal scutelhe until the color is the same as the dorsal line, or even 

 lighter. Behind the liead are three light yellowish brown occipital spots. Whole 

 under parts, except the chin or throat, briglit brick-red. Chin and throat white, 

 mottled finely with gray and black, like pepper and salt. An irregularly defined 

 stripe of the same mottling along the sides, from head to anus, crossing the abdom- 

 inal scutella; near the outside. 



A strongly marked variety is seen in individuals from Charleston and 

 Anderson, South Carolina, in which the body is dark slate- blue, except 

 the middle third of the abdomen, w^hich is yellowish white. The dorsal 

 lines of black dots are visible through the ground color; the lateral 



