AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES. 147 
last, which is largest. Inferior labials 6, third largest. ‘Tem- 
poral shields well developed, 2 in vertical row behind first tem- 
_poral and last upper labial. Scales smooth, dorsal in 13 trans- 
verse rows and 164 to tip of tail. Outer row somewhat larger. 
Gastrosteges 127 to vent. Postabdominal plates double. Tail 
about 7% in length, robust and suddenly attenuated to a sharp 
horny point. Body very glossy with waxed appearance. Color 
in alcohol deep wax-brown above, lower surface pale immacu- 
late creamy-white. Iris pale. Color when fresh above livid- 
brown, and reticulations formed by each scale scarcely if at all 
darker. Lower surface of body pale salmon-ochraceous, fading 
whitish in spirits. Line of demarcation along side of body dis- 
tinct and pronounced. Labial plates pale and, like lower surface 
of head. Iris brownish. Length 12% inches. This example 
taken from a fowl at Trenton, during June of 1906, by Dr. C. C. 
Abbott. 
In the vicinity of Trenton it was formerly abundant, usually 
in woodland, according to Dr. Abbott. In 1868 his statements 
that “this common little snake is well known to farmers as having 
a decided predilection to dairies and cellars,’ and also “beyond 
the trouble caused by their fondness of milk, however, they are 
of no harm,” evidently refers more correctly to his Lampropeltis 
triangula or L. doliata. ‘This is more evident as he distinctly 
states that it is the ‘‘milk snake.” It is apparently rare though 
possibly on account of its retiring habits among stones, logs, etc., 
may frequently be overlooked. JI have examined examples from 
the above locality, others from Point Pleasant (Witmer Stone), 
Beesley’s Point (Samuel Ashmead), and without definite locality 
from within our limits (Mr. Tiffany). 
Coluber amenus Harlan, Med. Phys. Res., 1835, p. 118.— 
Holbrook, N. Am. Herp., IV, 1840, p. 113, Pl. 23 (ref. infers). 
Brachyorrhos amenus Holbrook, |. c., Ed. 2, III, 1842, p. 115, 
Bie 27; 
Carphophiops amena Abbott, Geol. N. J., 1868, p. 801.—Ab- 
bott, Nat. Rambles, 1885, p. 476. 
Carphophiops amenus Cope, Rep. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1898 
(1900), p. 735.—Ditmars, Proc. Linn, Soc. N. Y., 1895-96, No. 
8, p. 12.—Stone, Am. Nat., XL, 1906, p. 164. 
