BATRACHIANS AND REPTILES OF OHIO. 129 
The Fox-snake is like the last, a large snake. It is a deni- 
zen of woodland areas and a splendid tree-climber. The writer 
-watched a five-foot specimen crawl up a small elm tree. It used 
its head as a fulcrum to a large extent and would take advantage 
of the least irregularity in the bark as a means of aiding its ascent. 
The range of this snake has been a matter of dispute, but 
now it seems that Ohio holds the eastern-most record. — Cope 
‘’oo) asserts that it does not occur east of Illinois, but it occurs 
throughout Indiana and northern Ohio. Fora full consideration 
of the case the reader is referred to ‘‘ Science,’’ Vol. XV; page 
1034, where the present writer reviews the matter in question. 
“The snake is commron in the northern part of the State, but does 
not occur in central or eastern Ohio. 
Specimens in the O. S. U. Mus., collected by Seth Hayesat oes Point, 
and by the author at Castalia. 
Coluber obsoletus obsoletus Say. Above brownish black, scales 
edged with white. A series of irregular, quadrate blotches with a series of 
smaller blotches lateral to and alternating with them, both being at times 
obscure or even obsolete. Median scales somewhat keeled, the remainder 
smooth. Below very dark brown, somewhat mottled. Scales 27. Length 
6 feet or over. 
This is our largest snake. The vernacular name is Pilot 
Black-snake. It is to be found only in wooded areas and seems 
to retreat to the heaviest forests with the advent of the axe. It 
is easily handled and makes little defence when captured. They 
are often found sunning themselves after a period of rain. 
The snake is not well known among the farmers in general, 
but wood-cutters in the region of native forests are familiar 
with it. 
In the wooded areas of the State fairly common, but appar- 
ently growing rare. 
Specimens in the O. S. U. Mus., collected by R. C. Osburn at Columbus; 
‘by Prof. Tuttle at Yellow Springs; by the author at Nelsonville and Lick- 
ing Co. 
_ *Pituophis melanoleucus (Daudin). Ground color above white with 
a series of brown blotches, bounded by black rings. Scales 29. Postorbital 
scales 3. Head almost white. Length, maximum 7o inches. 
A resident of the pine woods and wooded sandy regions. Its 
range is southerly, The Pine or Bull-snake, as it is called, has 
no Ohio record. 
