228 REPTILES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



in its circumference anterior to the tail, but back of the vent, 

 rapidly terminating in a point ; all the upper portion of the 

 body covered with smooth rhomboidal scales. Body, above, of 

 a dark brown color, with numerous transverse white bands, 

 which become confluent on the sides ; the brown portions of 

 the back, between these transverse bands, irregular in their 

 form, and margined with black : blotches of a similar color 

 with the back, along the sides. Abdomen yellowish, variega- 

 ted with quadrangular black spots. Circumference of the head 

 less than that of the body ; length of the head, one inch ; 

 width across the head, half an inch. The plate at the snout 

 large, with a well marked emargination beneath ; the first pair 

 of plates moderate in size, quadrangular ; the second pair of 

 plates also quadrangular, and much larger : the central plate on 

 the top of the head large, pentagonal : those upon the sides of 

 this, irregularly quadrangidar ; occipital plates very large. 

 Fourteen plates margin the upper jaw ; sixteen plates edge the 

 lower ; these plates on the jaws are yellow, margined with 

 black. Eyes moderate in size ; from their posterior angle, a 

 black band passes obliquely backwards. Upon the neck, seven 

 longitudinal plates^ between the chin and the abdominal plates; 

 the anterior three, largest ; the second, larger than any. 

 Length of the tail, four inches. 



The abdominal plates are 207 ; caudal scales, 48. 



This species feeds upon toads and frogs. 



C. sipedon. Lin. The ivater Adder. 



Shaw's Gen. Zoology, vol. iii. pt 2. p. 4SG. 

 Harlan's Med. an J I'hys. Res. p. 114. 



Large numbers of this species are found in mowing 

 meadows which are o\^erflowed a part of the season ; it is fre- 

 quently killed at Cambridge, four feet and more in length ; its 

 body being the size of a man's wrist. By many it is 

 avoided, as being poisonous in its bite. The body is large ; its 

 circumference lessening but little, anterior to the vent ; rapidly 



