130 A RARE REPTILE. 



upper surfaces of the body, neck and head were black, 

 while the throat and belly were bright brick, or red lead 

 color. These colors were still bright, though the specimen 

 had been preserved for some time in alcohol. It was 

 discovered near New Buffalo, in Michigan. 



Since that period I have been endeavoring to obtain 

 other specimens of this species, as well as a knowledge of 

 its habits, through the medium mainly of my medical 

 brethren residing in that vicinity. Though not successful 

 for a long time, in the first design, I learned from good 

 authority that it inhabited a belt of country between the 

 South end of Lake Michigan and Toledo, and embracing a 

 range North and South of about two tiers of counties in 

 the States of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. Within these 

 limits it has been occasionally seen, though it is considered 

 as very rare by the inhabitants who have resided here from 

 the time of the earliest settlements. 



A day or two before my arrival a fine living specimen 

 was secured for me, through the polite attention of Mr. 

 Charles Quantrell and Dr. H. B. Wilcox, of Galena, Laporte 

 county, Ind. It was captured by the last named gentle- 

 man, near the locality where that of Mr. Fox must have 

 been obtained. 



The color of this living specimen is a jet coal black on 

 all the upiDor surfaces of the head, body and tail, while 

 beneath it is of a bright brick hue, afibrding a striking 

 contrast, calculated to attract the attention even of the 

 most careless observer. 



It measures thirty-four inches in length. In its habits, 

 at present, it is mild and docile, though Dr. Wilcox assures 

 me that it was extremely active and pugnacious at the 

 time it was captured. 



Its aquatic habit is indicated by the carinated structure 

 of its scales, on the upper surface of its body, as is also its 

 non-venomous character, by the double series of scales 

 beneath its tail. Notwithstanding this latter evidence, 



