85 



The color above varies iu the subspecies, or varieties, from olive 

 through gray to blue-black ; below from yellowish white to orange and 

 red, with more or fewer dark spots. There is usually a light ring 

 around the neck, close to the head. 



The form usually found in Indiana is the typical imnctatus The color 

 .above is a bluish black or a dark ash, with a wash of bronzy that extends 

 down to the lowest rows of scales. Below, the color is orange or deep red, 

 somewhat palest in front. On the outer ends of each of the ventrals there 

 is a small black spot, and these are involved in the color of the dorsal 

 scales. Near the middle line of the ventrals may be two rows of dark 

 spots, or the spots on the ventrals may unite to form transverse bars. 

 The ring around the neck is orange, edged with black. It is one or two 

 scales in width. Upper labials yellow. The length may become about 

 fifteen inches. This form is distributed from Nova Scotia to Georgia and 

 the Mississippi Valley. Indiana localities are New Harmony (Sampson's 

 coll.); Franklin county (Hughes); Monroe county (Bollman) ; Mont- 

 gomery county (a specimen brought me by Mr. Beachler) ; Terre Haute 

 (Blatchley) ; Shades of Death, Parke county. 



Habits. — Not much can be said concerning the habits of this little 

 snake. Hoi brook says that it is a very timid animal, living a great part 

 of the time under the bark of trees, or old logs and stones. It emerges 

 from its hiding places toward the dusk of evening, or after rain, when 

 the insects on which it feeds have been washed from their hiding 

 places. DeKay tells us {W, 39) that it is perfectly inoffensive, and that 

 it emits a disagreeable odor. I can find nothing concerning its breeding 

 habits. 



Genus CYCLOPHIS, Gunther. 



Cyclophis, Gunther, 1858, 26, 119 ; Garman, 1883, 13, 39 ; Chlorosoma, 

 Wagler, 1830, 75, 185 ; Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 108. 



Form moderately elongated and slender. Head distinct from body. 

 Tail long and tapering. Crown-shields 9. Loral present, small. One 

 anteorbital, high. Postorbitals 2. Nasal single, nostril in its center. 

 Eyes of moderate size. Mouth-cleft long and curved. Scales smooth ; 

 disposed in 15 rows. Anal plate divided. 



Cyclophis vernalis, (DeKay). 

 Smooth Green-snake. 



Coluber vernalis, DeKay, 1827, 3, 361 ; Holbrook, 1842, 54, iii, 79, pi. 

 17; Chlorosoma vernalis, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 108; Cyclophis ver- 

 nalis, Giinther, 1858, 26, 119 ; Garman, 1883, IS, 39. 



Body and tail rather long and slender, but less conspicuously so than 

 in Phyllophilophis cestivus. Tail forming seldom more than one-third the 



