796 13. COLUBRID 
Plates on top of head, a pair of internasals, a pair of pre- 
frontals, a frontal, supraocular of each side, and a pair of 
parietals. Anterior and posterior nasals distinct. One loreal. 
One preocular and normally three, rarely two or four, post- 
oculars. Temporals normally one followed by two, some- 
times 1+1 or 1+3. Seven or rarely eight, superior and 
nine to 11, normally 10, inferior labials, the fifth or sixth 
superior and fifth, sixth or seventh inferior largest, the third 
and fourth or fourth and fifth superior reaching eye, the 
first pair of inferior meeting on the median line. Two pairs 
of genials, posterior longer than anterior. Scales in 19— 
19—17 rows, all keeled except sometimes the first row on 
each side. Anal plate not divided. Gastrosteges varying 
in number from 146 to 170, males having from 150 to 170, 
females from 146 to 167. Urosteges in two series of from 
66 to 95, males having from 70 to 95, females from 
66 to 91. 
This subspecies differs from 7. s. parietalis in darker 
color only. Some specimens approach the typical form 
in having red blotches on the sides. The normal coloration 
is, however, fairly constant. The ground color above is 
deep blackish brown or black, with three light longitudinal 
lines. These lines are often very narrow, but may be as 
wide as in the typical 7. sirtalis parietalis, and may be white, 
grayish, bluish, greenish, or pale yellow. The median 
dorsal line may fade out posteriorly, and the lateral lines 
may be very faint. A narrow black line sometimes runs 
along the tips of the gastrosteges. The top of the head 
often is blackish, but may be red; its sides are light. The 
lower surfaces are bluish black, slate, or greenish, lighter 
anteriorly, the throat being yellowish white. 
Length to anus _..._. 165 410 500 540 650 690 
Length of tail = sl 125 180 160 190 215 
