114 



Variety saurita. 



This is distiDguishecl by haviug the tail, on an average, a little more 

 than a third of the total length; ventral plates from 150 to 170; color 

 light chocolate to deep brown, with the stripes uniform yellow. The 

 slenderest of all the varieties. Atlantic to Mississippi Valley. 



Variety faireiji. 



Stouter in form. Tail rather less than a third the total length. 

 Ventral plates 168 to 180 ; color blackish brown, with the stripes uniform 

 greenish yellow. Wisconsin to Louisiana. 



Variety p?urf/na. 



Stoutest in form, the tail being contained in the total length about 

 three and a half times; color black, with the dorsal stripe brownish 

 yellow, the lateral greenish ; ventrals 170 to 180. Wisconsin to Louisi- 

 ana and Texas .' 



Specimens sent to Professor Cope by Mr. A. W. Butler, and taken 

 probably at Brookvilie, have been pronounced Eutainia saurita. Others 

 of this variety have been secured at Wheatland by Mr. Robert Ridgway, 

 and in Brow n county by Mr, Charles Jameson. I have specimens from 

 Fountain county, sent by C. H. Smith, and there is record of a speci- 

 men in the National Museum from Boone county. 



Of faireyi I found a specimen in Mr. Sampson's collection at New 

 Harmony. Specimens in the State Normal School collection appear to 

 me to belong here, and these were taken at Terre Haute and at Denver, 

 in Miami county. Others are in Mr. Smith's collection made in Foun- 

 tain county. Professor Blatchley reports both saurita and faireyi at 

 Terre Haute. Mr. W. O. Wallace, of Wabash, sends me a specimen 

 having 21 rows of scales. The lateral stripes are on the fourth and fifth 

 rows of scales, instead of the third and fourth, as usual. Ventrals 170 ; 

 subcaudals llO. 



I am not aware that the variety proxima has been captured in Indiana, 

 although some have been reported. These different forms intergrade so 

 completely that to me it appears to be useless to maintain their specific 

 identity. It is often difficult to distinguish to which variety the speci- 

 men in hand belongs. As the species is traced from its eastern limit to 

 the south and west it becomes stouter, the ventrals increase somewhat, 

 and the colors deepen. 



Habits. — Eutainia saurita has the reputation of being aquatic in its 

 habits. This, however, can not mean that they aflTect the water so 

 exclusively as do the species of Natrix. In fact, it leaves the water 

 and travels cousidei'able distances in search of food. I have taken this 

 species frequently in the South, and I do not remember of having ever 

 seen it in the water. However, it is found in the vicinity of streams, 

 and no doubt often enters them. It is an active animal, as is shown 

 by its slender and lithe form. It is wholly harmless. DeKay states 

 that it sometimes climbs trees. He quotes Dr. J. P. Kirtland as 



