224 REPTILES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



across the angle of the jaws, and a transverse one back of the 

 occiput, crosses the neck on each side ; in some specimens all 

 the scales upon the upper jaw are edged with black. 



Sometimes the spots on the sides of the abdomen are very 

 distinctly seen ; in others, as in several specimens lying before 

 me while I write, they are scarcely observable. 



When preserved in spirit, the longitudinal dorsal line becomes 

 lighter colored, and the abdomen changes to a yellowish green 

 color. 



The abdominal plates are 128 ; the caudal scales 62 and 64. 



In the stomach of this species, I have found fragments 

 of insects. 



C vernalis. Dekay. The green Snake. 

 Harlan's Med. and Phys. Res. p. 124. 



One of our most beautiful species, this snake is generally 

 well known. A fine living specimen before me, twenty-one 

 inches in length, exhibits the following characters : 



Above, of a beautiful grass green color; beneath, a yellow- 

 ish white. Length of the head, half an inch ; greatest width 

 of the head, a quarter of an inch ; head flattened above ; ten 

 plates upon the top of the head ; one at the snout ; two pairs 

 immediately back of this ; three plates between the eyes ; two 

 large plates upon the occiput. Upper jaw bordered by fourteen 

 scales. Nostrils circular, just back of the posterior lateral angle 

 of the snout. Pupil of the eye, black ; iris cupreous. Scales 

 rhoniboidal, smooth, not carinated. Tail six inches in length, 

 gradually tapering to the point. 



Four specimens vary in their plates and scales as follows : 

 One specimen has 137 plates ; 85 caudal scales. 

 A second " 132 '' 80 " " 



A third " 133 " 81 " " 



A fourth •' 127 " 84 " " 



Like the preceding species, this feeds upon insects. 



