REPTILES OF THE PACIFIC COAST. 



191 



broad, hollowed below, and bounded behind by inter- 

 nasal, anterior nasal, and first labial plates. Plates on 

 top of head, a pair of interna- 

 sals, a pair of prefontals, supra- 

 ocular and part of upper pre- 

 ocular of each side, long fron- 

 tal, and a pair of large parietals. 

 Anterior and posterior nasals 

 distinct. Loreal longer than 

 high. Preoculars two, upper 

 much larger than lower. Post- 

 oculars two, nearly equal. 

 Temporals two followed by 

 two. Eight superior and nine 

 or ten inferior labials, sev- 

 enth of upper and fifth of lower largest, fourth and 

 fifth upper reaching eye, first pair of lower meet- 

 ing on median line. Geneials in two pair, anterior 

 smaller than posterior. Scales on body smooth, in fif- 

 teen rows. Anal plate divided. Gastrosteges varying 

 in number from two hundred and four to two hundred 

 and nine. Urosteges in two series of from one hundred 

 and thirty-six to one hundred and fifty-seven. 



The color above is grayish or yellowish brown, palest 

 on the tail, the scales of the sides more or less yellow 

 and with narrow dark lines along 

 the middle of each row. These dark 

 lines are sometimes present on the 

 dorsal scales as well as those of the 

 sides and a wider line often runs 

 along the tips of the gastrosteges. The yellow of 

 the lateral scales is variable in intensity, and some- 

 times — especially in young — forms a distinct line 

 along the third and fourth rows of scales. All of these 

 lines fade out on the tail. The head is spotted with 



