CATALOGUE OF VERTEBRATES. 643 



Order OPHIDIA. 



SERPENTS. 



Family COLUBRID^. 



Harmless Snakes. 



" The species belonging to this family are not all harmless, but so 

 far as the family is represented in this State, are so without any 

 exception. They are all of great value to the agriculturist, and the 

 popular prejudice against serpents of all kinds should be done away 

 with, so far, at least, as the following species are concerned." — 

 [C. C. A.] 



HETERODON, Beauv. 

 H. platyrhinus, Latr. Adder. Blowing Viper. Hog-nose Snake. 



Brownish, with twenty-eight dark dorsal blotches, besides 

 lateral ones and half rings on tail ; sometimes all black. Length, 

 30 inches; ventral plates (gasterosteges), 125 to 150; number of 

 rows of scales, 25. 



"This abundant species is generally known as the 'adder/ 

 and in consequence of its habit of flattening its head and swell- 

 ing its neck, when surprised, it is looked upon as very venomous, 

 but is in reality very harmless. The species is sometimes found 

 almost entirely black, and is generally looked upon as a different 

 animal." 



TROPIDONOTUS, Kuhl. 

 T. sipedon, L. Water Snake. Water Adder. 



Brownish ; back and sides with each a series of large, square, 

 dark blotches, alternating with each other. Length, 30 to 50 

 inches; gasterosteges, 130 to 150; number of rows of scales, 23. 

 " Very abundant. When fully grown is about five feet in 

 length, and appears to be a dangerous reptile, but such is not 

 the case. It feeds upon fish and frogs." 



T. leberis, L. Leather Snake. [Garter Snake.] 



Chestnut brown ; a yellow lateral band and three narrow, 

 black dorsal stripes ; scales all carinated. Number of rows of 

 scales, 19 ; gasterosteges, 140 to 150; length, 24 inches. 



