The Brown Snakes 



showed signs of fight. One of the captives gave birth to seven 

 young on the 2olh of August. 



The Genus Amphiardis: A single species is known. It has 

 been taken in Texas only. 



The scales are keeled, but shining. Body rather stout; 

 head not distinct; tail short. 



CARMAN'S BROWN SNAKE 

 Amphiardis inornatus, (Carman) 



Differs from Haldea, in having two internasal plates, the 

 stouter body, lustrous scales and difTcrcnt hue both above and 

 beneath. No prcoatlar plate, the lorcal bordering the eye in 

 front. Scales in seventeen rows. 



Cokntration. — Brownish olive above; abdomen white, the 

 bases of the plates tinged with gray or olive. 



Dimensions. — Length from snout to tip of tail, io\ inches; 

 length of tail if inches. 



Distribuiion. — But two specimens are known. They were 

 taken near Dallas, Texas. 



The Genus Virginia: While resembling the preceding rep- 

 tiles in size, colouring and general conformation, the two species 

 composing this North American genus may be at once told by 

 their smooth scales. 



VALERIA'S SNAKE ; BROWN SNAKE ; WORM SNAKE ; 

 GROUND SNAKE, ETC. 

 Virginia valerice, (Baird & Girard) 



Very small, with moderately stout body, and short, abruptly 

 tapering tail. Head pointed and not very distinct from the neck. 



Colouration. — Dark chestnut, or grayish-brown, usually 

 with two rows of minute black dots on the back. Abdomen 

 yellowish-white. 



This species appeals to the Worm Snake, (Carphophis), 

 but the head of that reptile is of the same width as the neck, 

 while the abdomen is pinkish. With the present species it will 

 be observed that the head is perceptibly wider than the neck, 

 and the abdomen yellowish. 



Dimensions. — The measurements of an adult, female spec- 

 imen, are given: 



273 



