13. COLUBRID^ 



three, sometimes four or five. Supralabials usually eight 

 sometimes nine, rarely seven or 10. Infralabials usually 

 13, sometimes 12, 14 or 11. Temporals of first row vary- 

 ing from two to six, usually four. Genials in two pairs, 

 anterior larger. Scales on body in 29 to 35 rows, usually 

 3 1 ; keeled except in a varying number of rows on each side. 

 Anal plate not divided. Gastrosteges varying in number 

 from 209 to 231, males having from 209 to 231, females 

 from 218 to 231. Urosteges in two series of from 55 to 

 74, males having from 61 to 74, females from 55 to 66. 



The ground color is pale brownish or grayish yellow, 

 sometimes obscured by the spreading of the blotches or the 

 presence of dark marks along the keels of the scales. Along 

 the middle of the back between the head and the anus is a 

 series of from 48 to 70 (average 58) dark brown blotches. 

 On the upper surface of the tail are from 1 3 to 1 9 (average 

 15) blotches. There are several series of smaller alternat- 

 ing dark blotches on the sides. These spots and blotches 

 often are edged with darker brown or black, and tend to 

 become blackish on the tail. Across the top of the head, 

 between the preocular plates, is a narrow band of brown. A 

 similar line runs down from the center of the eye, and 

 another back and down from the upper postocular plate. 

 The lower surfaces are yellow or yellowish white, usually 

 blotched with black or brown. 



Length to anus.. 

 Length of tail.. 



Variation. — The loreal is 1 — 1 in all of the 28 speci- 

 mens. The preoculars are 2 — 2 in twenty-six, or 93 % ; and 

 I — 1 in two, or 7%. The post oculars are 3 — 3 in twenty- 

 three, or 85% j 4 — 4 in three, or 11%; and 4 — 5 in one, or 

 4%. The temporals are 4 — 4- in eleven or 45%; 3 — 4 in 

 five, or 21%; 5 — 5 in three, or 13%; 3 — 3 in three, or 



