1034 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1898. 



The color is variable, but a more or less distinct lateral stripe is 

 present in all excei)t the melauistic forms, ou the second and third rows 

 of scales. lu all except the melauistic forms there is one row of lateral 

 square spots above the lateral stripe, and in most there are two rows 

 of spots. There are no well-detiiied markings on the abdominal scuta. 



The labial and sc;ile formulic in this species are quite constant. In 

 two specimens of tlie E. e.plntonia the labials are eight, and the scales 

 in twenty-one rows. In two of E.e.elegans the figures are the same. 

 In one of 7!/\ e. hrnnnea the figures are the same. In eight of the E. e. 

 lineolata the figures are the same. In four of the E. e. hanimondii the 

 figures are the same except in one individual, where there are but 

 nineteen rows of scales. In twenty-two specimens of E. e. vuf/rans 

 there are twenty-one rows of scales in all, and in five specimens there 

 are seven superior labials on one side. In one only are there seven 

 superior labials on both sides. In all the others there are eight labials 

 on both sides. In twelve specimens of E. c. marciana all have eight 

 upper labials, and all but two twenty-one rows of scales. In the two 

 the scales are in nineteen rows. Thus in fifty-one specimens there are 

 three departures from the regular scale formula, and one entire depar 

 ture and five partial departures from the labial formula. 



There are seven well marked color forms of this species, which mostly 

 occupy distinct geographical regions, and are abundantly entitled to 

 be called subspecies. It is indeed possible that some of them might 

 be as well regarded as species, but the existence of transitions and the 

 lack of importance in the characters themselves induce me to consider 

 them as subspecies. They are, however, in the great majority of cases 

 easily recognized. The characters of these forms are as follows: 



I. No spots; labials not dark borilered. 



Black above and below; no lateral baud; dorsal baud wanting or a trace in 



front only E. e. pluionia. 



Black above, ligbt below ; three distinct stripes, all black bordered ..E.e. elegans. 

 Brown above, light below ; three distinct stripes, not black bordered . E. e. hrnnnea. 



II. Spotted; labials not dark bordered; nuchal spots indistinct. 



Stripes and spots distinct; the superior rowof spots confluent into a band; the 

 inferior separated by chestnut-red spaces; belly olivaceous. £■. e. ordiiioides. 



Spots large anteriorly, small or confluent posteriorly; interspaces iudicated by 

 pale edges of tlie scales; bands present, distinct E. e. Ihieolata. 



Spots small, 80-100; interspaces large, pale; bands present, often indistinct; belly 

 with dark middle E. e. vagrans. 



III. Spotted; labials dark bordered; nuchal spots more or less distinct. 



No dorsal band; lateral baml indistinct; intermediate space lead colored, with 

 one row of spots next to the lateral band ; yellow marks behind eye incom- 

 plete ; spots, 74-90 E. e. coitchii. 



Dorsal and lateral bands indistinct; three rows of spots, light ground on each 

 side, 50-60 in each row ; two yellow crescents extending upward at angle of 

 mouth and behind eye E.e. marciana. 



Of these subspecies the E. e. liliitonia has been found rarely and at 

 remote localities, and the E. e. hrnnnea is only known from one speci- 

 men, so that these can not be yet regarded as geographical forms. The 



