810 13. COLUBRID 
normally one followed by two, sometimes 1+3 or 2+3. 
Fight or rarely nine, seven or ten superior, and eight to 11, 
normally 10, inferior labials; usually the fifth, sixth or 
seventh superior and fifth, sixth or seventh inferior, largest, 
the fourth and fifth or third and fourth superior reaching 
eye, the first pair of inferior meeting on the median line. 
Two pairs of genials, the posterior usually longer than 
anterior. Scales in nineteen or very rarely 21 rows, all 
keeled except sometimes the first row on each side. Anal 
plate not divided. Gastrosteges varying in number from 
144 to 180; males having from 166 to 180; females from 
144 to 171. Urosteges in two series of from 66 to 97, 
males having from 85 to 97, females from 66 to 88. 
The ground color above is olive or yellowish or reddish 
brown. Along the middle of the back runs a yellow light 
line of varying width but usually restricted to the scales of 
one or one and two half rows. On the second and third 
rows of scales of each side is a broader yellow or white line. 
The dorso-lateral region between the light lines may be 
nearly unicolor, but usually shows, more or less distinctly, 
two series of dark spots which may encroach upon the dorsal 
or lateral lines. These spots sometimes unite to form cross- 
bands anteriorly or may be restricted to the skin between 
the scales, or show but little on the edges of the scales. The 
top of the head is usually light brown or olive, sometimes 
with a yellow pineal spot. The labials are light with dark 
edges. There is a pair of large dark nuchal blotches. The 
gastrosteges and urosteges are almost always uniform 
greenish or grayish white, but sometimes are clouded with 
dusky, especially near their anterior edges, and show blackish 
spots near the tips of the gastrosteges. The chin and throat 
normally are yellowish white. 
Length to anus... 309 351 407 470 482 489 
Length of tail, _____- 97 103 134 156 173 173 
