30 Cincinnati Society of Xaliiral History. 



6. EuTAiNiA siRTALis, L- — Commoii Garter Snake. 



6. {a.) EuTAiNiA SIRTALIS ORDIXATA, L. — Grass Snake. 



6. ib.) EUTAINIA SIRTALIS DORSALIS, Bd.-Gr. 



6. (r.) EuTAiNiA SIRTALIS PARiETALis, Say. — The Red-Sided 

 Garter Snake. 



All four of the above varieties of this variable species are 

 found in the county, sirtalis and parictalis being our most 

 common snakes. Ordinata diwd parictalis are mostly found in 

 upland fields ; the other two about the lowland ponds. 

 During the high waters, in the second week of January. 1890, 

 several snakes were reported seen about the river, and on the 

 afternoon of the nth I set out to verify the report, and after 

 a short search found two specimens, one sirtalis, the other 

 parictalis, beneath some fine drift near the margin of the over- 

 flowed bottoms. Although it was midwinter, they were not 

 sluggish in their actions, both making a lively attempt to 

 escape when disturbed. 



7. Regina leberis, L. — Queen vSnake. — Leather Snake. 



This species, recorded heretofore only from Montgomery 

 and Franklin Counties, is common in all the larger streams in 

 this portion of the State, having been taken by the writer in 

 Putnam, Owen and Vigo Counties. Unlike the next species, 

 it is seldom, if ever, found about deep pools or ponds, but fre- 

 (luents shallow, running water, gliding gracefullj' among the 

 stems of the water willow ( Dianthcra Americana), and other 

 acjuatic plants, and when pursued takes refuge Ijeneath one of 

 the many stones usually fi)und in such a place. 



8. Tropidonotus sipedon, L. — Water Snake. — Water Moc- 

 casin. 



An abundant species, especially about the river bottom 

 ponds, where it grows to be of enormous size. It is most 

 commonly known as the water moccasin, and is usually given 

 a wide berth — nine persons out of ten l)elieving that its bite 

 will cause certain death. It feeds principally on frogs, no less 

 than seven large specimens of Kana vircsccfis having been 



