194 



CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



elongate. Eight or seven superior and thirteen to 

 fifteen inferior labials, sixth or seventh superior and 

 seventh or eighth inferior largest, fourth and fifth 

 superior reaching eye, first pair of inferior meeting on 

 median line. Two pair of geneials, posterior narrower 

 and shorter or but little longer than anterior. Scales 

 on body smooth, thin, in twenty-seven to thirty-one 

 rows. Anal plate not divided. Gastrosteges varying 

 in number from two hundred and ten to two hundred 

 and twenty-seven. Urosteges in two series of from 

 forty-five to fifty-nine. 



The ground color is pale brown or yellowish gray, 

 lighter near the middle of 

 the back, along which is a 

 series of dark-edged brown 

 or gray blotches. The 

 sides are marbled with 

 similar but smaller 

 blotches in more or less 

 alternating rows. The 

 tail is similarly colored. 

 In young, a dark streak runs from the eye to the corner 

 of the mouth, and another between the eyes, crossing 

 the posterior edges of the prefrontal plates as in Pituo- 

 phis. These streaks are faded or absent in adults. The 

 lower surfaces are pale yellowish white, without mark- 

 ings. 



Length to auus 231 282 730 860 870 



Length of tail 33 33 122 160 125 



Distribution. — This smooth-scaled relative of the true 

 gopher snakes has been taken in California between 

 Carlsbad and Oceanside and at Warner's Ranch, San 

 Diego County, at San Jacinto, Riverside County, and 

 near Ontario, San Bernardino County. It ranges east 

 to Texas. 



