lo-2 



of the sea. The warmer regions are their regular home. In the United 

 States it is found in Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, 

 and Arkansas. Xo mention is made of its being found further north than 

 Virginia and Arkansas. Only one species inhabits North America, but 

 there are several varieties, distinguished chiefly by the arrangement of the 

 colored bands. This snake is ordinarily found in the ground in sweet 

 potato fields. The question naturally arises, How came it so far north ? 

 Has it ever been found in this state before? Was it carried here and 

 escaped? I am rather inclined to the latter view. If, however, it has 

 been found in this state by other parties, then this view is evidently 

 erroneous. 



The specimen under consideration is about 25 inches long. It has more 

 than 200 gastrostroges, which are entire, and the urostroges bifid. The 

 anal plate is also bifid. Dr. Jordan, in his " Manual," speaks of it as being 

 entire. This is evidently an exception to the rule, and this plate is, there- 

 fore, somewhat variable. The snake has seventeen bands of crimson, 

 bordered by yellow. The occipital band is yellow and the bands on the 

 tail also have no red. It has no loral plate, but in another species it is 

 present. It has two fangs in the upper jaw, which are hollow, and on the 

 front side there is a permanent groove ; back of these fangs are small teeth. 

 The Elaps fulvius is classed among the venomous by Dr. .Jordan. If any one 

 has found another specimen in the state I shall be glad to learn of it. 



Some oBSEJiyATioxs ox iiei.odkkma suspectum. i>y D. A. Owen, Moore's 

 Hill College. 



About the middle of last May the museum of Franklin College came into 

 possession of a fine specimen of Hdoderma auspectum or "Gila monster," 

 from Sacaton, Arizona. This is one of the largest of lizards, and the only 

 one in America reputed venomous. 



The specimen received is eighteen inches long from the tip of his snout 

 to the end of his tail, which is six inches long and of an uniform diameter of 

 about one inch and a half until within a short distance of the end, where it 

 terminates in a blunt point. 



The body is beautifully marked by black and fiesh colored tubercular 

 scales, much resembling Indian bead work. Its habits are very sluggish, 



