135 



upon insects, earthworms, slugs and snails. Dr. D. A. Atkinson 

 has found earthworms in it and says that it also feeds upon insects. 

 When full grown it is rarely more than a foot long. It is entirely 

 harmless at all times, and is one of the species that is beneficial 

 to mankind, while nothing is known against it from an economic 

 point of view. 



No. 2. Virginia valerice. (B. & G.) Spottid Grtmd Saak«, «r 

 Yaltria's Siake. 



It is only upon the printed reports of authors that we include 

 this rare species in the list of Snakes of rennsylvania. We have 

 neither seen nor collected specimens of it, and we find but one 

 definite record of its collection within the borders of this State, 

 although it has been taken several times in Maryland and Delaware, 



Dr. D. A. Atkinson, in his publication on the ''Reptiles of Alle- 

 gheny County," Pa., Annals of the Carnegie Museum, Vol 1, 1901, 

 records taking one specimen at Wilkinsburg, Pa., June 19, 1899, 

 eleven inches in length, and adds: "This is the only record for the 

 occurrence of this snake in Western Pennsylvania." We find no 

 other definite record of it in this State. • 



It is to be known by its smooth scales (Plate XIV) arranged in fif- 

 teen rows, and about one hundred and twenty to one hundred and 

 thirty ventral plates. Its color above is grayish brown with minute 

 black dots often in two rows, and beneath yellowish. It is another 

 of our small snakes, being only twelve inches or less in length, and 

 living in grass, w^eeds, and brush or under stones or logs. In the 

 United States it is found from Maryland to Illinois and southward, 

 and consequently Pennsylvania is i^s nothern limit. However, it 

 should be collected in the southwestern and southeastern corners 

 of this State, and we request observers to send us small serpents of 

 all kinds from their regions that we may continue to study these 

 rare species. 



It is non-venomous and entirely harmless in every regard, and 

 feeds mostly upon insects, earthworms, slugs and other Aery small 

 forms of animal life. Mr. Max Morse in a Bulletin on "The Reptiles 

 of Ohio," reports having found "worms and insects" in specimens 

 he examined in Ohio. 



We are at present entirely unable to state how, when or where 

 this species reproduces, as these facts are not known to anyone. 



No. ?,. Ilaldea striahila (L.) Br«wii Snak*. 



This species, which is rare, if at all found in our State, can be 

 recognized by the keels on the scales (Plate XIV K, and Plate 

 XV 26) and the bifid or divided anal plate (Plate XV 25), the scales 



