179 



Virginia valerise, B. & G. 



Valeria's Snake. 



Virginia valer ice, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 127; Garmau, 1883, 13, 

 98, pi. vii, fig. 8. 



This species is said to occupy the territory from Maryland to Georgia 

 and Illinois. It is therefore likely to be found in Indiana. Specimens in 

 the National Museum are reported to be from Cook county. 111., and from 

 " Southern Illinois." 



It differs from V. elegans especially in having the scales in only 15 rows, 

 instead of 17. Ventral plates 118 to 127; subcaudals 24 to 36. Length 

 11 inches or less. Color yellowish or grayish brown; dull yellow be- 

 neath. On the upper surface there are a few black dots ; while on each 

 scale of the back there is a faint line) which makes the body appear as if 

 striated. Named for Miss Valeria Blaney, of Maryland. 



Abastor erythrogrammus, (Daudin). 



Red-lined Snake. 



Abastor erythrogrammus, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 125 ; Hydrops 

 erythrogrammus, Garman, 1883, 13, 35. 



The genus Abastor differs from the genus Farancia only in having the 

 prefrontals distinct, those of opposite sides not being fused. Abastor ery- 

 throgrammus reaches a length of 40 inches, and has the same colors as 

 Farancia abacura. The red, however, forms three longitudinal lines, or 

 stripes. The two lower, or outer, rows of scales are red. Occasionally 

 this stripe is a little wider or a little narrower. The next three rows of 

 scales are black or blue-black. Then follows a stripe of red, occupying 

 one row of scales. Above this is another blue-black stripe three scales in 

 width. The tenth row of scales, the one on the middle of the back, is red. 

 The lower surface is red or flesh color, with a series of blackish spots near 

 the ends of the ventral plates. There are some spots of red on the head. 

 Thus we have here a striped snake, instead of a spotted one, as is Farancia 

 abacura. There are about 180 ventral plates. 



This snake is best known as a resident of the Southern States east of 

 the Alleghany Mountains, but it has been reported, on the authority of 

 Mr. Garman {13, 35) and others as having been taken about Mt. Carmel, 

 in Illinois. If this is true, it will yet be found in Indiana. 



