126 OHIO STATE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 
A snake too inconspicuous and uncommon for a common 
name. It occurs in sparse woodland and among underbrush. 
Sometimes it visits houses. A more inoffensive creature could 
not well be imagined. ‘The species “e/enae Kennicott having but 
a single pair of frontal plates is a variation of the species under 
consideration. Rare in the State, but probably occurs in all parts 
of Ohio. 
Specimens in the U. S. Nat. Mus., recorded by Cope from Morton and 
Ironton. Mus. of Antioch College, Yellow Springs, from Yellow Springs. 
In O. S. U. Mus., from Meigs Co. 
Diadophis regalis arnyi Kenn. Slender; above leaden black, below 
yellow, thickly spotted with black. An occipital ring light yellow. Scales 
smooth, 17. Length 2 feet. 
Ohio seems to be the eastern limit of this form. It is 
recorded for the State in but one place, viz.: 
Specimens in U. S. Nat. Mus., recorded by Cope from Hughes. 
Diadophis punctatus Linn. ‘Tail short, below yellowish-orange, with- 
out spots save at times a faint median series. Above blue-black. A yellow- 
ish to salmon red occipital ring. Tail beneath unspotted. Scales smooth, 
15. Length 1% feet. 
A beautiful snake. Found in hilly regions, often under bark 
or under rotten logs. Its food consists of insects, toads, etc. It 
may be handled without its manifesting any annoyance. It lies 
quiet during the daytime and forages at night. It breeds in 
June. Rare in the State. 
Specimens in the U. S. Nat. Mus., recorded by Cope from Marietta and 
Cleveland. In the Cin. Soc. Nat. His., collected by Dr. Lindahl in Hamil- 
ton Co. In O.S. U. Mus., collected by the author from Fairfield Co. 
Heterodon platyrhinus Latr. Occurs in two forms, normal and 
melanistic. Former as follows: Above brownish, with a series of irregular 
dark blotches replaced on tail by saddle-shaped blotches. Below greenish 
yellow. Snout recurved, forming a ‘“‘rooter.’’ Scales keeled, 25. Anal 
plate bifid. Second form above uniform blue-black, below greenish. Length 
nearly 2% feet. 
The Blow-viper, of allits kindred, is most persecuted. Abso- 
lutely harmless, it is killed at sight. Ina way it is responsible, 
for its attempts at bluffing and passing itself off as a dreadful 
creature have rather tended to heap abuse upon it. When ap- 
proached it will lie quiet until assured that its presence is known 
