CHaprter ITI. 
OUR COMMON SNAKES. 
THE GARTER SNAKES. 
“The garter snake is beyond doubt the ‘com- 
mon snake’ of the eastern and middle states of 
our union. It is surprising, my Fritz, to no- 
tice the readiness with which so many, even 
intelligent persons, call nearly all snakes which 
may cross their path during a quiet walk 
abroad with Nature, ‘garter snakes.’ Yet, as 
you have doubtless frequently noticed, this 
species is so strongly marked as to allow no 
excuse for confusing it with other species of 
our common snakes. 
The garter snake is readily distinguished 
from other species of our common snakes by 
the presence of a prominent dorsal stripe, that 
runs along the back from head to tail. This 
stripe is usually yellowish in color and very 
distinct. Besides this dorsal stripe there is al- 
ways present along each side and running par- 
allel with the dorsal stripe a duller, yet easily 
distinguished lateral stripe. These three stripes 
are always present on the garter snakes, and 
thus they comprise a positive proof of the spe- 
cies to which the individual belongs that pos- 
sesses the stripes. 
