14 TlIK SNAKES OF THE MARITIME PHOVIMCESOF CANADA. 



lively re(3ent origin of the species, if not of the gen<is itself. 



The head is moderate in size, and distinct by reason of the 

 constricted neck. The teeth are weak, small, regular, and near- 

 1}'^ equal. Superior labials, six or .sei'e?i; inferior, seven. Ameri- 

 can authors place both at eight. Scales in lifteen longitudinal 

 rows or seri'js. Gastrosteges one hundred and twenty-two, uros- 

 teges forty-eight. As stated above, Baird and Girard make this 

 species in Pennsylvania average one hundred and fifty-three, 

 and forty-six. In the labial plates and ventral scutes, the Ring- 

 neck of the maritime provinces could be readily separated from 

 this type; a separation marked too by the increased length of the 

 tail as compared with the body, but not to the extent the re- 

 duced number of ventral scutes might imply, for the latter are, 

 in our form, wider. It averages about twelve inches in length, 

 and is of slender proportions. 



The color above is olive brown, sometimes nearly black, with 

 a bluish suffusion : beneath lemon yellow, punctuated with 

 small dark spots on the exterior parts of the ventral scutes; often 

 clouding them more or less. A whitish yellow ring behind the 

 occipit, often very narrow and interrupted on the median line. 



The species is rather rare in New Brunswick, and in the other 

 maritime provinces the writer found it also sparingly represent- 

 ed, an experience confirmed by that of Harry Piers of Halifax, 

 a gentleman who has given some attention to the subject in 

 Nova Scotia. It may, however, be more common than it seems, 

 for its habit of spending most of its time beneath logs, stones, 

 and other ol)jects, principally, too, in the forest, would rer.der 

 it difficult of observation. 



The Rink -neck is perfectly harmless, very timid, and never 

 seems to coil and elevate the head to strike as the other species 

 do. 



Liopeltis vernalis I)c Kay. 



(rreen Snake. 



As now understood L. vernnHs is exceptional among the snakes 

 of North America in being the only one of its genus found on 

 the continent. According to Sehlegel and Gunther, the generic 



