CKOCODILIANS, LIZARDS, AND SNAKKS. 1137 



abdominal S(;atella', and suddenly contracting about the middle of the 

 side, so as somewhat to resemble an inverted Y. These blotches extend 

 to the vertebral line, where they may be truncated or end in a rounded 

 ai)ex. Generally those of opposite sides alternate with each other, but 

 fre(iuently they are conlluent above, formiug continuous bands. They 

 are so disposed that the intervals between the successive blotches are 

 pretty much of the same shape and size, though inverted. The centers 

 of th(^ blotches are lighter; in some cases so nuich so as greatly to 

 increase the Y-shaped resemblance. Color beneath dull yellowish, with 

 a series of distinct large dark blotches, 35-45 in number, on each side. 

 Chin and throat unspotted. Sides of head cream color; the line of 

 demarcation very distinct; this passes along the upper edge of the 

 head, in front of the eye, and involving the lower three fourths of the 

 orbit, intersects the middle of the second postorbital plate (counting 

 from above), and extends along the first row^ above the labials to the 

 posterior edge of the last labial; the line then comes back through the 

 middle of the lower labial range, where it is marked by a narrow black 

 line. Ivostral of the same color. A small areolated dark si)ot near the 

 inner edge of each occipital plate. 



Baird and Girard give the following scutal formuhe and dimensions, 

 the latter in inches: 



Ldc.'ilHy. Gastrosteges. I'losteges. Scak-s. Lenj;Ui. Tail. 



Cluvcliuid, Oliio 153. 40 + 10. 23. 27|. • 3|. 



Do 152. 42 + 10. 23. 29. 4f. 



Foxlmrg, Pennsylvania 152. 32 + 18. 23. 26|. 3J. 



Do 152. 32 + 18. 23. 32|. 4*. 



Do 150. 48. 23. 7. 3^. 



Carlisle, Pennsylvania 154. 42. 23. 22J. 2|. 



Do 154. 48. 23. 28^. 4i. 



Charleston, Sonth Carolina 150. 40 + 8. 23. 24|. 3f. 



Prairie Mer Rouge, Louisiana 153. 40 + 8. 23. 20f. 2f. 



Do 150. 30 + 18. 23. 20J. 3. 



]}et\veen Indianola and San Antonio ' 150. 23. 



Sahinal' 150. 31 + 17. 23. 11^. 1|. 



In eleven si^ecimens six have the superior labials 8-vS; two have 

 them 7-8; and three have them 7-7. The reduction to seven may be 

 regarded as abnormal, since in that case there is generally irregularity. 

 It arises sometimes from the fusion of the seventh and eighth i)lates, 

 and sometimes from the exclusion of the sixth or seventh from the 

 labial border by contraction below. In the latter case the plate be- 

 comes subtriangular and resembles a temporal. The nu)dification is of 

 the same character as that which sometimes affects the second superior 

 labial in the ^4. i)iscirorous. 



The "copperhead" is distributed from IMassachusetts to the Rio 

 Grande, throughout the entire eastern and austroriparian regions, fol- 

 lowingupthe river valleys into the eastern part ofthe central region. It 



' Blotches larger and fewer, about fifteen in number, and running more upon the 

 abdomen. Vertical plato larger and more acute posteriorly. 

 NAT MUS 98 72 



