167 



rows, and the ventral plates are one hundred and eighty-five in 

 number. The B^ constrictor , which is commonly known as Black 

 Snake or Blue Racer (Schwartze Schlange, in Pennsylvania Ger- 

 man), is to be known by its lustrous pitch black color, which is 

 bluish or greenish below, and the white throat and chin, very lar^e 

 eyes, scales generally seventeen, ventral plates one hundred and 

 seventy to one hundred and ninety, and length five feet or less. It 

 maj' at times be found larger. 



It is not generall}^ known tliat the young are a grayish olive 

 color, spotted with rhomboid black botches or spots, and few per- 

 sons recognize young Black Snakes because they expect to see them 

 black, rather than spotted. Most persons take them to be the 

 young of the House Snake (No. 20), Water Snake (No. 11), or the 

 Copperhead (No. 22). The Black Snake or Blue Racer is entirely 

 harmless and does not voluntarily attack any person, although it 

 is true that when angered it may pursue its tormentor if the latter 

 should turn and flee. This snake is found in the eastern United 

 States and is very common eastward and southward. We have 

 received it from thirty counties and it is beyond any doubt to be 

 found in the other counties of this State. It is among the more 

 common species of larger snakes, in more or less wooded regions 

 and along hillsides and among bushes. 



The following is our Pennsylvanian record: 



Adams County Bi-eam, T. F., Gettysburg. 



Beaver County, Elder, T. S Darlington. 



Berks County, Gruber, Prof. C. L. , Kutztown. 



Blair County, Harder, G. A Altoona. 



Bradford County Robinson, J. S Milan. 



Bucks County, Atkinson, J. W Bucking'ham. 



Cbx, E. C, Bucking'ham. 



Fosbeiner, J Richland Centre. 



Bewley, Miss Anna K Forest Grove. 



Centre County Harpster, J. S Port Matilda. 



Clinton County Moran, E Lock Haven. 



Crawford County, Coon, O. O., Saegertown. 



Dauphin County Whltauer, C. B Steelton. 



Fulton County, Millott, P. C Andover. 



Palmer, A. C Warfordsburg. 



Schenck, J. M Enid. 



Erie County Mixer, E. W., Waterford. 



Huntingdon County, Swoope, J. P., Huntingdon. 



Indiana County Wehrle, R. W., Indiana. 



Lebanon County, Bohn, J. G., Onset. 



Peiffer, L. S., Fredericksburg. 



Bohn, J., Lickdale. 



Lehigh County, Dickenshied, F. S Hosensack. 



Luzerne County Patterson, J. E Wilkes-Barre. 



Shovlin, H. A .Freeland. 



