1901.] NATURAL SCIliNX^ES OF PHILADELPHIA. 37 



Tropidonotus sipedon sipedon L. 



Coluber sipedon L., Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 219 (1758); JSferodia sipedon 

 B. and G., I. c, 38; JVatrix fasciata sipedon Cope, I. c, 671, and 

 Rep. Nat. Mus., 969 ; T. fasciatus (part) BouL, I. c, I, 242. 



Size moderate; almost invariably 23 rows and 8 upper labials; 

 old specimens sometimes much resemble some phases of T. s. fasci- 

 atus, but as a rule the body is less stout. When clear enough to 

 be distinguished, the pattern consists of a series of large brown 

 dorsal spots, separated by very narrow light interspaces; the dorsal 

 alternates with a series of lateral spots separated by light intervals 

 as long as or longer than themselves. Anteriorly, the lateral 

 spots are often obscure or wanting. In old dark individuals, the 

 general aspect is ihat of a dark-brown snake crossed on the middle 

 of the back by narrow light lines, about half a scale wide, mar- 

 gined with black. The ventrals ai'e spotted, but less heavily 

 than in fasciatus. Top of the head brown; there is usually no 

 post-ocular stripe, but when the general color is light, it is some- 

 times indicated. Ventrals 130-150; subcaudals 59-80, Length 

 890 mm. (tail 205). 



Hab. — New England to the Carolinas; west to Wisconsin and 

 Kansas. 



Tropidonotus sipedon transversus Hullowell. 



T. transversus Hallow., Proc. Arad. Phila., 1852, 177 ; Nerodia Wood- 

 housii and JV. iransrersa B. and G., I. c, 42, 148 ; iV. /. transversa 

 Cope, I. c, 672, and Rep. Nat. Mus , 973 ; T. fasciatus (part) Boul., 

 I. c., I, 242. 



Size rather less than T. s. sipedon; scales in 23-25 rows; upper 

 labials 8 or 9; temporals 1-3 ; ventrals 140-150; subcaudals 64— 

 80. Body color olive or brown; a dorsal series of 30-35 dark brown 

 spots about four scales long and seven or eight wide, black bor- 

 dered in front and behind; the interspaces aoout one scale wide; 

 an alternating series of upright rectangular dark brown blotches 

 on the sides, the intervals being w'ider than the blotches; 

 the dorsal and lateral series are not in contact; belly yellow, with 

 the base of each ventral dusky. Top of head dark olive, with 

 sometimes a yellowish elongated spot on the commissure of the 

 parietals and two small yellow dots on the anterior border of the 

 frontal. Length about 860 mm. (tail 186). 



Hab.- -Western Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas. 



