AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES. 159 
side of occiput. A blackish oblique bar crossing temporal plate 
posteriorly over commisures of last or sixth and seventh labials. 
A blackish blotch from lower margin of eye in commisures of 
third and fourth, and fourth and fifth labials. Head above dotted 
with deeper brownish than ground-color. Each of gastrosteges 
_ with brownish at each end and here and there a dusky dot in 
same locations. Iris slaty. Length 95@ inches. May’s Landing, 
in Atlantic County. Spring of 1893. S. N. Rhoads, 
Rather abundant. Most examples which I have noted were 
found near towns where they do not appear to be especially dis- 
turbed by the encroachments of civilization. They may be 
frequently found under old tins and waste matter on old dumps. 
Their ability to successfully combat such conditions is probably 
due to their protective colors, small size, and reproductive powers. 
The disposition of this animal is usually mild and gentle, seldom 
assuming the offensive. It is entirely terrestial, and though 
I have taken it about meadow or swampy land it was never 
in the water, and never even on very moist ground. Dr. Abbott 
says that in the vicinity of Trenton it is found in the meadows 
and heavy damp pastures. It is a fine swimmer and will take to 
the water when pursued, though not diving. 
Tropidonotus dekayi Abbott, Geol. N. J., 1868, p. 802. 
Storeria de kayi Abbott, Nat. Rambles, 1885, p. 476. 
Storeria dekayi Ditmars, Proc. Linn. Soc. N. Y., 1895-96, No. 
8, p. 21.—Stone, Am. Nat., XL, 1906, p. 164. 
Genus CLoNoPHIs Cope. 
The Kirtland Snakes. 
Clonophis kirtlandii (Kennicott). 
PLATE 37. 
Kirtland’s Snake. . 
Head not distinct from body, depressed, and but scarcely 
swollen on sides posteriorly. Snout rather convexly depressed, 
its length about + its width, and sides rather abruptly vertical. 
