The Sharp-nosed Snakes 



Red or orange; broad black cross-bands, terminating 

 near abdominal plates; tail ringed with black. 



RED AND BLACK GROUND SNAKH, C. ephippicUS. 



Distribution.— Ncvddii anti Arizona. 

 Similar to preceding, but the black encircles the body 

 — narrower on abdomen. 



ARIZONA GROUND SNAKE, C. cinctUS. 



Distribution. — Arizona; Lower California, 

 b. Ventral plate entire. 



Snout conical ; head not distinct. A loreal plate. One 

 or two ^r«ocM/ar plates. Scales in 19 rows. 



Genus Cemophora. 

 Wide scarlet blotches, separated by pairs of black half- 

 rings, these enclosing a half-ring of yellow. 



SCARLET SNAKE, C. coccinea. 

 Distribution. — South Carolina to Florida; westward 

 to Mississippi. 

 B. Size moderate. Plates under the tail entire. 



Head slightly distinct and pointed; front surface of nose 

 plate flattened. A loreal plate; one or two preoculars. 

 Scales — of the North American species — in 23 rows. 



Genus Rhinochilus. 

 Alternate, square, black and reddish blotches. 



LE conte's SNAKE. R. lecontei. 

 Distribution. — Western Texas to California. 



The Genus Carpbophis: But one species seems worthy 

 of recognition and this is a small, worm-like reptile, confined to 

 North America. A description is given: 



THE WORM SNAKE 

 Carpbophis amcenus, (Say) 



Size very small. Body moderately stout, with smooth, 

 opalescent scales; head not distinct from the neck and ter- 

 minating in a pointed snout. The eyes are very small. 



Colouration. — Chestnut-brown above; salmon-pink on the 

 lower portion of the sides and the abdomen. With alcoholic 

 specimens this latter colour fades to yellow. 



Variations. — Specimens of an opalescent, purplish-black 

 above and pink beneath, are found along the Mississippi Valley 

 and westward to Kansas. They have been described as a dis- 

 tinct species, under the scientific appellation of Carpbophis vermis. 

 However, the points employed in separating this form from the 

 typical snake are superficial, and the former reptile appears 



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