132 OHIO STATE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 
Natrix leberis L. Chestnut brown, with three black longitudinal 
stripes and a lateral yellowish stripe. Below yellow with a black line run- 
ning along the ends of the gastrosteges. Scales 1g. Length 2 feet. 
Common in all parts of the State. Itis often to be found 
hanging over a stream from projecting limbs of willows from 
which it glides rapidly into the water when disturbed. It bites 
viciously when caught and, while non-poisonous, yet inflicts an 
ugly wound. 
Specimens in the U. S. Nat. Mus., recorded by Cope from Lima and 
Highland Co. In Cin. Soc. Nat. His., collected by Dr. Lindahl from Ham- 
ilton Co. In O. S. U. Mus., collected by the author at Youngstown and 
Chillicothe. 
Natrix kirtlandii Kenn. Purplish-brown above, with four rows of 
black blotches, alternating one with another. Below salmon-colored, the 
ends of the gastrosteges being black, forming two longitudinal lines. Body 
flattened. Scales19. Length 1% feet. ; 
Common in marshy land, especially in hilly regions. ‘They 
lie quiet during the daytime and emerge late in the afternoon to 
search for food. The snake is inconspicuous and is often passed 
off for N. f. sifedon. It is variable in color, the dorsal blotches 
sometimes being scarcely discernable, while the red of the ventral 
parts may be dull or even brownish. Its habit of making the 
naturally flattened body flatter still by the expansion of the ribs 
is interesting from the point of view of the student of animal 
behavior. The first specimen recorded below was taken in 
January. 
Specimens in the Cin. Soc. Nat. His., collected by Dr. Lindahl from 
Hamilton Co. In O.S. U. Mus., by C. R. Diltz, Perry Co.; E. EK. Master- 
man, New London, and by the author at Sugar Grove. 
Storeria dekayi Holbrook. Clay-colored above, with a light vertebral 
stripe and a dotted line on either side. Below ashy. A dark spot on either 
side of occiput. Scales keeled, anal plate double. Scales 17. Length 1 
foot. The ground color above may be brownish and the streaks may become 
very inconspicuous or obsolete. 
Not a common snake in the State. Frequents marshy land, 
but Hay (’92) does not bear this out. Smith (’82) gives it as 
occurring at Cleveland and in the north-western part of the State. 
It probably occurs over the whole State sparingly. 
Specimens in the U.S. Nat. Mus., recorded by Cope from Columbus, 
Madison, Grand Rapids and Highland Co. 
