15 



phases, a black one, restricted to high and dry regions, and a 

 pinkisu or bluish-gray phase in tlie swamp lands. 



15. Bascanium flagellum Shaw. (Umcli Whip. 



I liave seen this species but once in the course of fifteen 

 years on the east side of the Mississippi. It is, however, 

 very common west of the river. In some parts of Catahoula 

 and Nachitoches it is abundant. 



16. Coluber guttatus l^inn. Chicken Snake. 



Fairly common in the pine-wood regions, often entering 

 houses and frightening the occupants by making an empty 

 pot on the kitchen shelf its temporary domicile. It is not 

 found in the SAvani]) lands, being strictly terrestrial in its 

 habits. 



17. Coluber obsoletus obsoletus Siiy. lihick Chicken Snake. 

 Kather a rare snake, at least more so than any of the 



(.Colubers of the state. Mr. Kohu has obtained it from St. 



Tammany i)arish. 



18- Coluber obsoletus confinis Bd. and Gir. Live Oak Snake. 



One of the commonest of onr Colubers. It is espe(;ially 

 met with in the swamji lands, Avhere its favorite position is to 

 lie at full length in the tops of tall grasses and canes, it is 

 one of our longest snakes. 



19. Coluber spiloides Duni. & Bibr. Jied-headed Chicken Snake. 

 Fairly common. I have found it on Avery's Island and 



in the vicinity of New Orleans. Unlike the preceding, it is 

 ess aquatic in its habits. 



20. Spilotes corais couperii Holbiook. Fnditjo Snake. 

 Although I have never met with this snake in Louisiana, 



it is certainly to be found within its i)reciucts, if not com- 

 monly. It has been collected in all other Gulf states, from 

 Texas to Florida 



21. Heterodon platyrhinus Latr Hog-iiose; Spreading Adder. 



A strictly terrestial species; generally distributed through- 

 out the state, and common. 

 22- Heterodon platyrhinus niger Latr. Jllack Vi])er. 



In habits and distribution the same as the preceding, but 

 less common. 

 23. Heterodon simus Linn. ^V(»f/ Viper. 



I have obtained but one specimen of the Sand Viper in 

 the state. I secured it in Washington parish not far from 

 Franklintcn. 1 have no doubt of its being fairly common 

 there. 



