BRANSON : SNAKES OF KANSAS. 387 



blotches. On the margin of the gastrosteges is a series of 

 smaller spots alternating with the lateral series. Belly black- 

 ish posteriorly, yellow anteriorly. Many black blotches on the 

 anterior half. Chin and throat white. Top of head brownish. 

 Upper labials yellowish, margined with black. The young are 

 much lighter colored than the adult and are distinctly spotted. 



i'lG. 16. 

 Coluber obsoletus obsoletus Say. 



Coj^e says of this snake : "It is of an inoffensive disposition 

 and may be handled with impunity." The Kansas Black 

 Snake is a fighter. One that I had in this laboratory last sum- 

 mer struck the wires of his cage furiously whenever any one 

 approached him. I kept him for six months, and although he 

 became gentler, whenever I handled him I had to grasp him 

 firmly by the neck to keep him from biting. I have made ob- 

 servations on several of these snakes in captivity and all of 

 them behaved in much the same way as the one mentioned 

 above. When excited the Black Snake vibrates its tail rapidl}-, 



