POISONOUS SNAKES OF NORTH AMERICA. 447 



of scales above the labial. The second line in front of tlie eye is much 

 wider below in C. lucifer, and the face generally shows more of white, 

 while the dark portions are rnuch darker. 



Variation. — There is a great deal of variation observable in the vari- 

 ous specimens before us, particularly in the shape of the head, as well 

 as in the general coloration. As with most of these snakes, the char- 

 acteristic head pattern becomes obsolete as the individuals grow large, 

 and this character, which is otheiwise so constant and reliable in the 

 young, is sometimes difficult of application in very large and old ones. 

 However, I have yet to see a specimen in which the essential parts of 

 it can not be made out if care be exercised. The ground color also 

 varies greatly according to climatic and other loi-al conditions, very 

 dark, nearly black specimens with strongly contrasted color pattern 

 in whitish being frequently found near the coast, or in mountain regions 

 with a very moist climate, while, on the other hand, specimens living 

 in the arid region among light-colored surroundings are often greatly 

 faded, as shown by various specimens from Utah and other portions of 

 the great basin. Upon an examination of a large series, however, I 

 can not find any more reliable or stable color difference than is usual in 

 most species covering a large area and subject to varying, often very 

 restricted, local influences, and I can not see my way clear to recognize 

 any subspecies of C. lucifer on this account. 



The difference in the outline of the snout and the proportionate 

 width of the head varies apparently greatly, as stated, though hardly 

 more than in several other species. These differences depend greatly 

 upon the general condition of the snake, upon the amount of venom in 

 the gland, and, in alcoholic specimens, upon their state of preservation, 

 specimens dried and hardened in too strong alcohol showing a much 

 more pointed snout than those preserved in a moderately strong solu- 

 tion, while in soft examples kept in a too weak fluid the face is often 

 swollen and rounded. 



It appears probable that Holbrook's G. oregonus is based upon such a 

 hardened specimen, but as I have not been able to examine it I have 

 refrained for the present from exchanging the well-known name lucifer 

 for the older appellation. The material at my disposal is not suffi- 

 ciently extensive, nor is its quality sufficiently satisfactory to allow me 

 to pass a final judgment upon the question whether there really occurs 

 one or two subspecies or forms on the Pacific province, a question 

 which therefore must be considered still open. 



Geographical distribution. — Grotalus lucifer i^ the characteristic snake 

 of the Pacific province as well as the northern x)ortion of the Great 

 Basin. In southern California it occurs ou the west slope of the coast 

 ranges of San Diego and Los Angeles counties from the sea level high 

 up into the mountains. It is even found on at least some of the islands 

 off the coast, as, for instance, Santa Catalina Island and Los Coronados. 

 In the southern part of the great interior valley of California this 



