4 University of Michigan 



sometimes interrupted, dorsal scales in 15 rows often becom- 

 ing 13 towards the posterior end of the l^ody, ventral color 

 usually extending onto the lower part of the second row of 

 dorsal scales/ and numerous small black spots scattered over 

 the belly. 



Diadophis amabilis similis, new subspecies 



Diagnosis: Similar to D. amabilis amabilis. but with the 

 light color of the ventral surface extending over only one-third 

 to two-thirds of the lowermost row of dorsal scales. C'ther 

 distinctive features are the moderate amount of l)lack s])otting 

 on the belly, the dorsal scales in 15 rows throughout, or drop- 

 ping to 13 towards the posterior end of the body, and the g;<'n- 

 erally light olive color of the dorsal surface. 



Type Specimen: ]\Iuseum of Zoology, University of Mich- 

 igan, number 57897, collected by L. M. Klauber in the spring 

 of 1923. 



Type Locality: Carmel, ]\Ionterey County, California. 



Range : From southwestern San Bernardino County south 

 into the »San Pedro !Martir ^Mountains in Lower California. 



Description of Type Specimen : Ventral plates, 189; anal 

 plate divided ; caudal scutes in 59 pairs ; upper labials, 7 ; low- 

 er laljials, 7; preoculars, 2; postoculars, 2; temporals, i-\-i-\-2 

 (labials, oculars, and temporals the same on each side) ; dorsal 

 scales in 15 rows, becoming 13 near the posterior end of th.e 

 body; neck ring ij^<2 scales wide, not interrupted; ventral color 

 covering about one-half of the lowermost row of dorsal scales 

 on each side. The colors of the specimen in life were as fol- 

 lows: Below, orange, fading anteriorly to a Capucine buff on 

 labials and anterior chin shields, and becoming a little rodder 



