AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES. 167 
end of gastrosteges, indistinct on side of neck at first, though 
gradually becoming more pronounced. A creamy-white trans- 
verse band on upper surface of head width of 2 scales, and in 
front and behind a deep brownish area annectant of about equal 
extent, and fading off gradually in ground-color of body. First 
or anterior of these patches continued forward to include 
eye, and around side and front of snout, though narrow 
over rostral plate. ‘Top of head finely specked with brownish. 
Commisures of about 111th and 112th gastrosteges dusky all 
across. Upper labials creamy-brown like lower. Iris grayish. 
Length 15 inches. Morris County. Dr. J. C. Fisher. 
This harmless little snake feeds on other small reptiles, am- 
phibians, insects, etc., and is frequently to be found coiled up 
under stones or logs in woodland, and is sometimes met with in 
forest paths. It makes no demonstrations of defence when found, 
easily suffering capture. 
Coluber punctatus Holbrook, N. Am. Herp., II, 1838, p. 115, 
Pi 26— Holbrook, 1 c.; Ediv2, TI, 1842, p. 81, Pl. 18: 
Diadophis punctatus Abbott, Geol. N. J., 1868, p. 801.—Ab- 
bott, Nat. Rambles, 1885, p. 476.—Ditmars, Proc. Linn. Soc. 
N. Y., 1895-96, No. 8, p. 13.—Stone, Am. Nat., X'L, 1906, p. 
160. 
Genus BASCANION Baird and Girard. 
The Black Snakes. 
Bascanion constrictor (Linnzeus). 
PLATE 41. 
Black Snake. Blue Racer. Racer. White Throated Racer. 
Head slightly depressed, little distinct from body or but slightly 
swollen. Snout rather convexly depressed, its length about 1% 
in its width, and sides rather abruptly vertical. When viewed 
above profile obtusely convex, and convergence gradual, due to 
elongated ovoid head. Snout projects a little beyond mandible. 
Eye moderate, rounded, placed about midway in length of mouth 
