109 



Ophibolus doliatus syspilus is a variety described in 1888 by Prof. E. D. 

 Cope (J, xi, 384). It differs from the variety doliatus iu having the 

 dorsal blotches descend upon the ventral plates, and in having the spots 

 which alternate with them meet on the belly and form there on the mid- 

 dle line a single series. " The body is scarlet, banded with 22 pairs of 

 jet black rings, with a white ring between each pair of black. * * 

 The belly is marked with a single series of median black spots, which 

 are opposite the spaces between the dorsal saddles, or opposite the 

 yellow rings." The length of the longest specimen is 30.5 in. Most of 

 the specimens upon which this species are founded are from the South- 

 ern States, but one was taken at Wheatland, Ind., by Mr. Robert 

 Ridgway. 



Ophibolus doliatus triangulus is by far the commonest variety of its 

 species that is found in Indiana. It is known to all under the familiar 

 names of "House-snake," "Milk-snake," and "Spotted Adder." 

 The ground color above is ashy, more or less mingled with brown, 

 this often in life tinged with red. Above are five series of blotches and 

 spots, a dorsal, and on each side two lateral. The spots of the dorsal 

 row are the largest, broader than long, and extend down on the sides, 

 but do not reach to the ventral plates. They vary in number from 40 

 to 60. Their color varies from grayish brown to brownish red, and are 

 more or less distinctly bordered with black. This black sometimes be- 

 comes so conspicuous as to give the appearance of half rings on the 

 upper surface. The dorsal blotches often coalesce with the spots of the 

 series below. These latter are small and alternate with those of the 

 dorsal series. They are sometimes missing. The blotches of the lowest 

 series are located principally on the ends of the ventral plates, and 

 usually coalesce with the spots of either the dorsal or of the middle 

 series. They are commonly black or blue black. The anterior blotch 

 usually extends forward on to the head and terminates variously. There 

 is commonly a dark baud across the top of the head just in front of the 

 eyes, and this runs back through the eyes on the lower neck. Above it 

 is a yellow band that also extends backward on the neck. At the back 

 of the head, surrounded by the termination of the first dorsal spot, is a 

 spot of yellow. The belly is blotched with black and creamy white, the 

 latter in life tinged with red. 



The length of this form may become as much as four feet. It is com- 

 mon throughout the State. 



DeKay (SO, 38) says of this snake that it is found not infrequently 

 in outhouses and in dairies or cellars where milk is kept, which it is 

 said to seek with avidity. It climbs well, and glides rapidly over the 

 smoothest surfaces. He adds that its vivid colors change almost immedi- 

 ately after death. Holbrook states that this serpent is gentle in its 

 habits, feeding on mice, various insects, etc. It approaches without 



