•91 



on the sides of the face. Vertical varying from narrower than long to- 

 wider than long ; shorter than distance from its anterior border to snout. 

 Upper labials 8 (rarely 7), eye over fourth and fifth ; sixth and seventh 

 largest. Lower labials 10 or 11, the sixth largest. 



Dorsal scales in 25 rows (rarely 23 or 27) ; the cariuation feeble, on 

 the outer rows and on the tail obsolete. Ventral plates 200 to 234. 

 SulDcaudals 68 to 85. 



This is a distinctly spotted serpent. The ground color above varies 

 from gray to brown and reddish, many of the scales having a broad edge 

 of cream color. There is a dorsal series of broad blotches of a brown or 

 chocolate color, and these are edged with black. These blotches, about 

 60 from head to tail, are from three to six scales long and extend down 

 on the sides to about the sixth row of scales. They are separated on the 

 back by two scales' length. Alternating with these blotches is another 

 series on each side, situated on the third to the seventh rows of scales. 

 Below these is a third series, smaller and usually less distinct. They 

 alternate with those of the second series, and lie opposite the dorsal 

 spots. Sometimes they lie on a level with the second series, but are 

 smaller. The under surface is yellowish, with large squarish blotches of 

 black. The head sometimes with a dark streak from the eye to the cor- 

 ner of the mouth, and another downward from the eye. 



This snake may attain a total length of five feet, and even more. Its 

 geographical range appears to be altogether northern, from Michigan to 

 Minnesota and south to Southern Indiana. New Harmony (Sampson's 

 coll.) ; Wheatland (R. Ridgway) ; Hamilton County (Hay). This last 

 mentioned specimen has 85 subcaudals. 



This snake appears to be the northern representative of C. guttatus, a 

 species that is at home in the Southern States, but which also is found in 

 Indiana. By some authors, as Mr. Samuel Garman, vidpinus is regarded 

 as only a variety of guttatus. The latter may be recognized as a redder 

 snake, with fewer blotches along the back (about 45, instead of 60), and 

 with 27 rows of scales. 



The Fox-snake appears to be moderately common in some localities. It 

 is often known as the " Pilot-snake," and is supposed to have some mys- 

 terious connection with the rattlesnake. It is a wholly innocent snake, 

 although, as it seems, a little inclined to be pugnacious. Dr. Suckley 

 (20, xii, pt. ii, 300) states that one of these snakes was brought to him 

 alive at Ft. Snelling, Minn. When provoked it showed its irritation by 

 vibrating the tip of its slender tail, which, when striking a crumpled leaf 

 or any other small object, would produce a well-marked rattling noise, 

 very similar to that made by the rattlesnake under the same circumstan- 

 ces. Other observers make mention of the same habit. 



Mr. Robert Ridgway, of the Smithsonian Institution, writes me that,, 

 while hunting near Mt. Carmel, 111., he came upon a Fox-snake over six 



