itstif under one condition. If placed with its ven- 

 tral surface next to the ground, it will instantly 

 turn over on its back. It seems to think that the 

 only possible position for a respectable snake to 

 assume in death is that of belly upwards. 



Hetercdon cor.tortrix is commonly found in 

 two phases; a normally colored form, and a melan- 

 istic phase, entirely black. This last has been 

 given the scientific appelation of niger, but differs 

 from the typical contortrix in no respect save color, 

 a>nd occupies the same range. It is strictly ana- 

 logous to the melanistic form of Pleihodon ciner- 

 eus. 



Liopellis (Genus) 



50. Liopeltis vernalis (Harlan). 

 SMOOTH GREEN SNAKE. 



This pretty species is almost entirely insecti- 

 vorous and should be carefully protected. It is 

 found in the Eastern United States, Canada south 

 to Florida and v/est to Texas. 



Opheodrys (Genus) 



51. Opheodrys aestivus (Linne). 

 ROUGH GREEN SNAKE. 



The Rough Green Snake is arboreal in habits 

 and is more southern in distribution than L. vernal- 

 is. Like that form, it is insectivorous. It has a cur- 

 ious habit, comimon among arboreal snakes of the 

 Tropics, of protruding its tongue rigidly from its 

 mouth, rather than vibrating it rapidly as do most 

 snakes. 



Coluber (Genus) 



