103 



the prefrontals. Rostral greatly developed, trihedral, pointed, and 

 upturned. Nasals two, with the nostril between. Lorals two, these 

 sometimes united. The anteorbitals forming a part of the row of small 

 plates which encircle the eye. This ring is completed above by the 

 supraoccipital. Mouth-cleft large and much curved. Upper labials 

 eight, lower labials eleven. Eye large. Scales keeled, except those of 

 the outer row, which are smooth ; arranged in twenty-five, occasionally 

 twenty-three, rows. Ventral plates 120 to 150. Subcaudals 45 to 60.. 



The color of the upper surface varies from yellowish, reddish brown^ 

 and eveu brick red, with dark blotches, to a uniform gray, olive-brown, 

 blue-black, or black. When the color is not uniform there are to be 

 seen three series of dark spots. One of these is vertebral, and consists 

 of from twenty to thirty brown blotches, each from two to five scales 

 long. They extend down some distance on the sides, but are likely to- 

 fade out into the ground color. On the median line, these blotches are 

 separated by about the length of three scaler. Alternating with the 

 dorsal blotches is a series of lateral spots, circular and of a dark color.. 

 These are not developed on the tail, while the dorsal blotches fomn 

 bands that extend nearly around the tail. Sometimes there are small 

 spots on the lowest rows of scales forming a third series. All the spots; 

 are variable in size and depth of color. Head with a dark band run- 

 ning across from one orbit to the other, a black band from the eye to- 

 the corner of the mouth, and another across the occipital plates on to* 

 the sides of the neck. The under surface is yellow, with some mottlings; 

 of brown. 



The uniformly colored individuals which were for a long time regarded 

 as a distinct species, difl^er in having the color uniform gray to black 

 above, slate color below. There are, however, all gradations in the 

 amount of black and the distinctness of the spots to be found, and these 

 completely connect the two supposed species. 



This snake may attain the length of three feet. The body being; 

 heavy, the size then becomes conspicuous. 



The distribution is from Pennsylvania to Florida and west to Minne- 

 sota and Texas. I have reports and specimens Irom many points in In- 

 diana. Both spotted and uniform specimens are found at New Harmony 

 (Sampson's coll.) ; also about Brookville (Hughes). I have specimens 

 from Vernon, Jennings county (J. Cope) ; from Fountain county (C 

 H. Smith, Veedersburg) ; Vigo and Jackson counties (Normal School 

 coll.); said by Mr. Beachler to occur at Crawfordsville, Montgomery 

 county ; Brown county (Chas. Jameson). Specimens sent me from 

 Veedersburg by Mr. Smith are intermediate between the two supposed 

 forms, and the same is true of some in the collection made by Prof» 

 Evermann, at Terre Haute. Prof. Blatchley reports having found the 



