Hurter — Herpetology of Missouri. 167 



the eye. Lower labials six, fourth and fifth the largest. Anterior 

 chin shields longer than the posterior. Four lower labials in contact 

 with the anterior chin shields. Head not distinct from the body. 

 Body rather stout, thicker in the middle, tapering abruptly. Dorsal 

 scales in 19 rows, all keeled, except the first and second rows, which 

 are smooth. Ventrals 140-153. Anal entire. Subcaudals 26-43 pairs. 

 Tail short. 



Color. — A yellow dorsal stripe, covering one and two half rows of 

 scales, extends from the nape to the tip of the tail. A lateral stripe is 

 present on the second and lower half of the third row of scales. This 

 stripe is yellowish and mottled with brown. A row of black dots 

 on each side of the dorsal stripe and another row near the lateral 

 stripe. Color above light brown to dark brown. Inferior row of 

 scales brownish. Belly greenish, with two rows of triangular black 

 spots down the middle. Upper part of head mottled with black and 

 brown. Superior labials and lower part of temporals drab. Under 

 part of head whitish, often maculated with small black spots. 



Size. — From end of snout to vent 348 mm.; from vent to point of 

 tail 37 mm. Total length 385 mm. 



Habitat.— Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, and Mis- 

 souri. 



Habits.— On October 11, 1890, I wrote to Dr. L. Stej- 

 neger of the National Museum, upon request, what I knew 

 of this species. After a lapse of twenty years I have noth- 

 ing to add to what I wrote at that time, which was as fol- 

 lows: — "This snake is only found to my knowledge along 

 the river front of the city of St. Louis, near the Arsenal 

 ground. The place in which it is found covers a space 

 of about three blocks, and consists of an abandoned and 

 partly refilled quarry. Here they live among and under 

 the rocks, in the ground under bushes, feeding on worms 

 and insects — a fact which I ascertained by examining the 

 contents of their stomachs. They were once quite com- 

 mon — some thirty years ago — but are now getting scarce, 

 owing to the location being utilized for railroad purposes. 

 Having kept specimens in captivity, I am able to state 

 that this species is ovoviviparous, one of them having 

 brought forth as many as six young snakes, which were 

 90 mm. long." 



A large flood of the Mississippi at one time drove them 



