88 OPHIBOLUS. 



finely mottled iuternally (as is the ground-color on the sides) with 

 black. The blotches become narrower posteriorly ; on the tail their 

 confluence with the lateral series forms black half-rings. On each 

 side, and involving the 2d to the 5th rows, is another series of much 

 smaller and nearly circular blotches, black with the centres brown. 

 These alternate with the dorsal spots. Alternating with the series 

 just described is still another similar to it, but entirely black, on the 

 margin of the abdomen, and on the contiguous spots of the 1st, 2d, and 

 3d rows. These two lateral series are sometimes confluent. The an- 

 terior dorsal blotch is elongated, so as to cover the posterior half of 

 the vertical plate : and in it is a central elongated spot of the ground- 

 color behind the oceipitals. A double light spot is seen on the junc- 

 tion of the oceipitals, as in Eutainia. There are indications of a 

 dark band across the posterior half of the postfrontals, and another 

 from the eye to the angle of the mouth. The labials are edged with 

 black. 



The abdomen is yellowish white, with square black blotches, al- 

 ternating with those already described. 



The number and size of these spots varies somewhat in diff'erent 

 specimens, though rarely less than 40 from head to anus. The 

 young differ in having the dorsal blotches bright chestnut-red inside 

 of the black margins. The intervals are sometimes white, or clear 

 ash, 



Wesfport, N. Y. 214. 54. 21. 40i. 5i. S. F. Baird. 



Somerville, N. T. 200. 49. 21. 27. 3}. Dr. F. B. Hough. 



Warren, Mass. 200. 55. 21. 29. ih S. F. Baird. 



Woburn, 31ass. — — — — — C. Girard. 



Foxhurg, Pa. — — — — — S. F. Baird. 



Carlisle, Pa. 200. 52. 21. 25. 3*. " 



"S". Opliibolus Clericws, B. & G. — Similar to 0. eximius. Body 

 stouter. Head much shorter, centre of eye above the middle of the com- 

 missure. Eye much smaller. Body light ash, crossed by less than 10 

 blotches, -which extend to the exterior dorsal row. Only one lateral series 

 of blotches. 



Stn. Coluber eximius, Holbe. N. Amer. Herp. Ill, 1842, 69. PI. xv. 



Similar in general appearance to 0. eximius, but readily distinguish- 

 able by prominent characters. The head and mouth are very short, 



