AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES. 177. 
and very conspicuous. Other examples from Trenton (Dr. C. 
C. Abbott), and Vincentown (Col. T. W. Bryan). The latter 
are very young, and are represented by many specimens. I have 
observed this species at Delanco, Burlington, Trenton, Newark, 
Ridgewood, Paterson, Medford and Cape May. 
Color in life beautiful shining blackish on back, and upper 
surface generally, with a double series of alternate jet-black 
round spots down each side separated by a dilute dark greenish 
median line. On each side of body below these double series of 
dark spots, also a dilute greenish line from neck to vent, and then 
obscurely along side of tail where very narrow. ‘This also 
marked in its course with small jet-black dots. Just below this 
a grayish-olivaceous dilute streak spotted finely with blackish, 
spots best defined on side of neck, and afterwards smaller and 
more numerous. Just below this on edge of each of gastrosteges 
a jet-black spot more or less concealed by overlapping, and pro- 
ducing a hemisphere. On same portion of trunk another irregu- 
lar series of smaller ones. Lower surface of body otherwise 
clear hyaline-greenish. Lower surface of head creamy. Head 
dusky-brown above, upper edge of each labial blackish.. Iris 
brownish. Length 105g inches. Found in fresh swamp along 
edge of salt marsh near Cold Spring, Cape May County, Octo- 
ber 7th, 1906. 
The first warm days of spring are associated with this snake, 
the small boy and the tin can. It is very variable, besides being 
our most abundant snake, and may be looked for in most any 
place. If disturbed it will assume the defensive, but usually 
soon becomes quiet if captured. The young are about 6 
inches in length when born, and are said to number as 
many as 80. They are produced in the late summer and 
early fall. I have seen a bundle of the adult snakes 
early in the spring, on a warm day, which must have 
numbered nearly 50, and sometimes smaller bundles of a dozen. 
This habit may be attributed, perhaps, to hibernation, or possibly 
several impulses. The garter snake attains a size about equal to 
that of the ribband snake, but is more robust. 
Coluber sirtalis Holbrook, N. Am. Herp., IV, 1840, p. 91, PI. 
16 (ref. infers). 
I2 MU 
