CATALOGUE OF VERTEBRATES. 645 



Var. ordinata, L. 



Stripes dull, but spots distinct. 

 Var. dorsalis, Bd. & Grd. 



With broad dorsal stripe and row of distinct spots above 

 lateral stripe. 



" This numerous species is exceedingly abundant, and is of 

 value to the gardener, from the fact of feeding, during the sum- 

 mer season, very largely upon grasshoppers." 



B. saurita, L. Swift Garter Snake. Riband Snake. 



Body more slender, with longer tail ; brown, with three yellow 

 stripes; colors bright. Gasterosteges, 150 to 160; length, 36 

 inches. Chiefly east of Alleghanies. 



BASCANIUM, Bd. & Grd. 



B. constrictor, L. [Coryphodon, Dum. & Bib.) Black Snake. 



Pitch black ; greenish below ; chin and throat white ; young 

 olive, with rhomboid patches ; large and slender. Number of 

 rows of scales, 17 to 19; gasterosteges, 170 to 200; length, 50 

 to 60 inches. 



'' This well-known serpent appears to be growing less abun- 

 dant every year. They are not as numerous in the northern as 

 in the central and southern counties. The fully-grown speci- 

 mens measure over six feet. Perfectly harmless." 



PITYOPHIS, Holbr. 

 P. melanoleucus, Daud. Pine Snake. Bull Snake. 



White, with chestnut-brown blotches margined with black, 

 besides other markings. Number of rows of scales, 29 ; gas- 

 terosteges, 220 to 230 ; length, 60 inches. Pine woods, New 

 Jersey to Ohio, and southward. — Jordan. 



COLUBER, L. 



(Scotophis, Bd. & Grd.) 



C. obsoletus. Say [alleghaniensis, Holbr.) Pilot Snake. Racer. 



Black ; some scales white edged. Number of rows of scales, 

 27 ; gasterosteges, 235 ; length, 50 to 75 inches. Massachusetts 

 to Illinois and Texas. Possibly often mistaken for B. constrictor, 

 above. 



