ZOOLOGY. 303 



WENONA PLUMBEA, B a i r d & G i r a r d . 



The Brown Wood Snake. 



JVenona plumbea, B. & G. IPttiona Uabella? B. & G. Proc. Acad. Sci. Pliilad. VI, 18:>2, 17G; Ibid. Catal. N. A. 

 Riptiles, I, 1853, 139, 140.— Girard, U. S. Expl. E.xp. Hcrpet. 1858, 112, 113, pi. Vll, f. 1-14. 

 The distinctness of tlie above supposed two species is uncertain from the small number of specimens examined. They difler 

 in the frontal plates and in the orbitals, but their colors are described as nearly the same, plumbea bein^ lead color above, and 

 Isabella light brown; both yellow beneath, the latter more dull. 



Not very uncommon at Puget Sound. Sjjecimens ajipear to unite the characters of the species 

 described by Baird and Girard. — S. 



Tiie short, thick, and clumsy form of these snakes, witli their small pointed head covered with 

 scales like those of the back; very small eye and mouth; numerous small smooth scales, and 

 blunt tail, at once distinguish them, though in color they much resemble the "green racer," 

 heretofore described, when in its old skin, before changing it in July. 



About June 1, 1855, I obtained a large specimen of the above snake under the loose bark of 

 a log, where it seemed to have crawled to escape from the light. It appeared dazzled, and 

 did not attempt either to escape or to bite. This snake, though unpleasant in appearance, is 

 perfectly harmless, and, like most others, useful in destroying insects and mice. It is the 

 nearest representative of the hoa conatricfor in the United States, but little is known of its 

 habits.— C. 



Orderly. Jj A i II A (j H i A . So ft Skinned Ecp t ilcs. 



Tribe I. — Anoura.— T a i 1 1 e s s B a t r a c h i a n s . 

 BUFO BOEEAS, Baird & Girard. 



Bvfo boreas, B. & G. Expl. Exped. Herpet. p. 74, pi. VI, %. 4-9. 

 Sp. Ch. — Upper surface of head plain; skin not adhering to the skull, and smooth; green, with a dorsal yellow vitta; pustules 

 reddish; beneath of a soiled white, maculated with black. 



Distinguished from B. columhiensis by having the fore arm longer than the hand or arm, both 

 pairs of legs longer, and hind foot proportionately longer, and the soles nearly smooth. The 

 bright colors above described are those of the j^oung. When alive the colors vary in shade, 

 but are similar in pattern in all examined. That best marked has the back olive brown, darker 

 posteriorly; tubercles dark brown; spots on legs nearly black, both surrounded by a narrow 

 edging of straw yellow, becoming greenish, and mixed with the brown on the sides. The 

 dorsal stripe is bright j-ellow, (wanting in some specimens;) angles of mouth and inner sides of 

 thighs yellow also; belly pale brownish w'hite, with black spots posteriorly; iris rich gold color, 

 veined with black; canthi black. Another specimen had a brown circle around iris, and green 

 lids. 



This toad is abundant west of the Cascade mountains, and has habits similar to those of most 

 other true toads, hopping about at dusk after its insect prey; and, although disagreeable to 

 many persons, is perfectly harmless and very useful. — C. 



