254 THE VIVARIUM. 
the back of the animal are very slightly keeled, placed in from 
twenty-five to twenty-nine rows; ventrals numbering from 200 to 
239; sub-caudals in from sixty to eighty-eight pairs, and am: anal 
scute which is divided. The following is Mr. Boulenger’s 
‘description of the colouring of the C. guttatus: ‘‘ Yellowish or 
pale brown above, with a dorsal series of large brown or red 
black-edged spots, and an alternating lateral series of smaller 
spots ; a curved dark band from eye to eye across the pre. frontals, 
continued behind the eye to the angle of the mouth; a f- or 
O- shaped marking from the frontal-shield to the nape; labials 
usually with black sutures or spots, belly yellow, with large 
squarish black blotches.” 
This Snake’s entire length is abcut 33ft., of which the tail 
measures some 6in. The animal is a native of the United States, 
east of the Rocky mountains; it is also found in North Mexico. 
Its food should consist of mice, rats, and small birds. I do not 
think it can be bought in England for much less than 30s. 
The Leopard Snake (Coluber'leopardinus, Fig. 72) is an exceed- 
ingly beautiful Ophidian, and a general favourite with those who 
care for Reptiles. Of late years, though this creature is compara- 
tively rare, it has been imported into this country in considerable 
numbers, and it may now be bought from dealers in London at 
prices ranging from 7s. to 12s. If properly treated, the Leopard 
Snake will live for along time in confinement. It is, however, 
a shy feeder; but it may generally be persuaded to take young 
and hairless mice and rats. If it will not eat such (to Snakes) 
tempting morsels, it should be fed artificially. . Full-grown 
mice should not be placed in the same Vivarium with the Leopard 
Snake, for they are likely, unless eaten at once, to kill the 
reptile. I lost a C. leopardinus which I had had for a very long 
time, and which was a great favourite, through its bemg bitten 
in the head by a mouse, the latter, owing to an oversight, having 
been left in the case with it and its fellows, The Leopard Snake 
is generally very ready to bite the hands which hold it: the bite, 
however, as the teeth hardly pierce the skin, is insignificant. 
The arrangement of the shields on the head of C. leopardinus 
is very like that of C. guttatus. The scales of the former are 
smooth and are placed in from twenty-five to twenty-seven rows ; 
