Small, Miscellaneous Smooth-scaled Serpents 



and about twelve on the tail; on the dorsal line the interspaces 

 are mottled with pale red; belly blotched with black which ex- 

 tends on the sides and often breaks into the lateral spots; on the 

 sides the scales are finely punctulatud with black; a dark patch 

 on the parietals, with a smaller one on each side of the neck; a 

 dark, post-ocular streak; forepart of head, chin and throat 

 maculated with black." (A. E. Brown). 



Dimensions. — Total length 23 inches; tail, 2 inches. 



Disirilmtion. — This rare snake is known only from Marion 

 and Orange Counties, Florida. 



Habits. — Apparently a burrowing species. 



The Genus Rhadinea: The several species inhabit North 

 and South America; but one is found in the former. All arc of 

 small size. Rear teeth of the upper jaw slightly enlarged, but 

 smooth. A hreal plate and one preocular; ventral plate divided. 



THE YELLOW-LIPPED SNAKE 



Rhadinea flavilata, (Cope) 



Body moderately slender; head fairly distinct; scales 

 smooth and polished. Tail proportionately long. Scales in 

 17 rows. 



Colouration. — Pale reddish-brown above — paler on the sides, 

 which are of a golden tinge. Head darker than the body. A 

 dusky band commences behind the snout, extends to the eye, 

 thence from behind the eye to the angle of the mouth. The upper 

 lip is bright yellow; abdomen immaculate yellow. 



*Dimensions. — Total Length 12 inches. 



Length of Tail 3 J " 



Greatest Diameter \ 



Width of Head \ " 



Length of Head \ 



Distribution. — A rare species. Occurs from the Atlantic 

 Coast region — North Carolina to Florida — westward to Mississippi. 



Habits. — Little is known of this snake. It is a secretive 

 reptile and may be found under the bark of decaying logs. 



The Genus Contia: A number of small snakes are embraced 

 in this genus; some inhabit Asia; four are found in the United 



♦Through the courtesy of Dr. Samuel Garman and Mr. Thomas 

 Barbour the writer was able to photograph the head and obtain meas- 

 urements of this rare snake. 



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