168 REPORT OF NEW JERSEY STATE MUSEUM. 
or over commissure of third and fourth superior labials. Frontal 
plate elongate pentagonally, anterior margin obtusely convex, 
sides concave, and convergence rather narrow to rather obtuse 
posterior angle. Its length a little less than that of parietals. In- 
ternasals broad, about half size of prefrontals, which are bent 
down over each side of snout to loreal. Parietals large, a little 
longer than broad, convergence posteriorly broad, and with broad 
median emargination. Rostral rather high, broad, and somewhat 
wedged between internasals. Nostril pierces commisure between 
nasals and internasal, at junction of all 3, and rather large. Loreal 
Black Snake. Bascanion constrictor (Linnzus). 
rather small, oblique, and trapezoidal. Supraocular elongately 
triangular, large. Preoculars 3, uppermost largest, and lowest 
very small. Postoculars small. Upper labials 7, fourth in con- 
tact with lower postocular and deepest, and sixth and seventh 
otherwise largest. Inferior labials 8, fifth largest. ‘Temporals in 
2 series between parietal and posterior labials. Scales smooth, 
enlarging on sides, thin, posterior angle moderately truncated 
to form somewhat hexagonal appearance. Exposed surface of 
outer row nearly as long as high. ‘Transverse series of scales 
over back 16, and 248 counted from parietal plate down middle of 
back to tip of tail. Gastrosteges 182 to vent. Urosteges double. 
Tail about 524 in length of body, and narrowly tapering to 
pointed tip. Color in alcohol black above, with waxen appearance 
and below deep slaty, similarly waxen. Mandible, including alsa 
