118 



Stripes all iadistiuct ; space above the lateral bands olive, with three 

 distinct rows of square dark spots, about 85 in number, from head to 

 vent; abdomen like the above varieties. 



Variety parietalis. 



Coluber parietalis, Say, 1824, 1^, i, 186; Eutainia parietalis, Baird and 

 Girard, 1853, 6, 28 ; Eutcenia sirtalis subsp. parietalis, Cope, 1875, 12, 

 41 ; Coues and Yarrow, 1878, 9, iv, 276. 



Three distinct stripes, a dorsal pure yellow ; the lateral a heavier yel- 

 low, tinged more or less with red ; color between the stripes deep brown 

 to black ; spots, if any, indistinct ; skin between the scales brick or Ver- 

 million red, chis tingeing many of the scales. The red is most distinct 

 just above the lateral stripe, but also extending down to the ventral 

 plates. Belly whitish green, with black spots on the ends of the ventral 

 plates. Length 3 feet. Indiana to California. 



A specimen of E. sirtalis sent me by Mr. Chas. Beachler, of Craw- 

 fordsville, agrees well with the description given by Prof. Baird, and 

 more especially with that given by Coues and Yarrow, as cited above, 

 except that the red, which is so characteristic of this variety, is dis- 

 tinctly seen only on the anterior third of the body. Spots on ends of 

 ventrals rather large. Specimens are frequently taken about Irvington 

 which are referred to this variety. Prof. Blatchley states that he has 

 taken parietalis at Terre Haute. Mr. A. B. Ulrey has shown me a spec- 

 imen from North Manchester, Wabash county, which conforms to the 

 description of parietalis, except that it has twenty-one rows of scales. 

 The red in Indiana specimens does not extend to the posterior portion 

 of the body, and it is more abundant and extends further back on spec- 

 imens from the northern part of the State than on those taken about 

 Indianapolis. 



Variety obscura. 



Eutainia sirtalis obscura, Cope, 1875, 12, 41 ; Cope. 1888, 3, xi, 399. 



This is without spots, uniform brown between the bands. It is said 

 (3, 11, 399) to resemble E. saurita at first sight. A specimen shown me 

 by Mr. A. B. Ulrey, from North Manchester, Wabash county, appears 

 to be referable to this variety. 



Eutainia sirtalis graminea, Cope, 1888, 3, xi, 399. 



This interesting variety has been described by Prof. Cope from a spec- 

 imen furnished him by Mr. A. W. Butler. It was taken in eastern 

 Indiana. It is described as of a uniform light green above, yellow, 

 clouded with green, below. There were no stripes nor spots on the 

 body, nor any markings on the head. It resembled closely the Rough 

 Green-snake, but it is to be distinguished from it by having 19 instead 

 of 17 rows of scales, and by .the entire anal plaite, as well as by other 

 generic characters. 



Habits. — Eutainia sirtalis is probably the most familiar and best known 



