Hurter — Herpetology of Missouri. 163 



orbitals. Upper labials seven, third and fourth entering the eye; fifth 

 and sixth the largest. Ten lower labials, fifth and sixth the largest. 

 Anterior chin shields shorter than posterior. Five lower labials in 

 contact with the anterior chin shields. Temporals 1-2. Head dis- 

 tinctly wider than neck. Body moderately slender, tail from one-fourth 

 to one-fifth of total length. Dorsal rows of scales 19, all keeled. Ven- 

 trals 140-170. Anal entire. Subcaudals 50-90 pairs. 



Color. — Color from light olive-brown to blackish brown above, with 

 three longitudinal green or yellow stripes. The dorsal stripe occupies 

 one and two half rows of scales. The lateral stripes occupy the second 

 and third rows of each side. The ground color may be nearly uniform, 

 or with two series of black spots on each side. Black spots are gen- 

 erally present on the side, beneath the lateral stripes. Bluish green 

 beneath, with a series of black spots on the scutis at each side. Head 

 brown above, a pair of small yellow spots at the inner edges of the 

 parietals. Upper labials greenish, uniform, or with black posterior 

 margins. When stretching the skin on the sides numerous white lines 

 and spots are visible between the scales. (Garman.) 



Habitat. — From Canada south to Florida, west to 

 Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. Missouri local- 

 ities: — St. Louis, Jefferson, Shannon, Oregon, Ozark, 

 Stone, Jasper, Jackson, Johnson, Phelps, Crawford, St. 

 Charles, Warren, Montgomery, Randolph, Lewis, and 

 Pike Counties. In Illinois, Madison, St. Clair, and Mon- 

 roe Counties. 



Habits. — This species is the most common snake in the 

 state. I have observed it as early as March 5th and as 

 late as November 23rd. The Garter Snake is found 

 mostly in moist places near to or swimming in the water ; 

 often it is found near fences and in pastures. Garter 

 Snakes feed on frogs, toads, small fish, worms, and insects. 

 Several times I have observed a cat playing with one, 

 finally eating it. March 13th, while pulling out a rotten 

 stump about 30 inches in the earth, I found a ball of 

 snakes in a torpid condition. It consisted of one large 

 adult Garter Snake, nine young ones of the same species, 

 and one half grown Water Snake, Natrix sipedon. When 

 handled Garter Snakes give off an offensive odor like 



