40. THAMNOPHIS 84-5 



reaching eye, first pair of inferior meeting on median line. 

 Two pairs of genials, the posterior usually much longer than 

 anterior. Scales on body in 21, or very rarely 19, rows. 

 Anal plate not divided. Gastrosteges varying in number 

 from 156 to 173, males having from 163 to 173, females 

 from 156 to 171. Urosteges in two series of from 67 to 

 88, males having from 69 to 88, females from 67 to 82. 



The ground color is grayish brown or olive marked, 

 in young specimens, with numerous black spots which usual- 

 ly disappear with age. The dorsal line is always absent, or 

 represented by a yellow spot on the neck. The lateral lines 

 are either distinct or blended with the color of the belly. 

 Black spots are frequently present on the first row of scales 

 and tips of the gastrosteges. The top of the head is olive, 

 with a yellow pineal spot on the line between the parietal 

 plates. Dark nuchal blotches are present. The lower sur- 

 faces are whitish or grayish yellow. 



A specimen showing the colors in life is described by 

 Dr. Grinnell as follows: Ventrally the snake is dusky yel- 

 low anteriorly, becoming dusky posteriorly, finely mottled 

 with slate j there is a pinkish tinge down the middle of the 

 belly. Dorsally the snake is uniformly dark sepia, without 

 any median dorsal stripe j but on each side involving the 

 second row of scales dorsally from the gastrosteges, a dusky 

 yellowish line runs from the yellowish side of the head 

 back to the region of the vent, where it becomes so dusky as 

 to merge with the uniformly sordid color clear around. 

 Along each side, above the lateral stripes, are flecks of whit- 

 ish between the scales which show when the skin is stretched 

 a little so as to separate the scales. There are also flecks of 

 black, mostly further down the sides, which likewise show 

 clearest when the scales are parted. On the nape of the 

 neck is a dusky yellow dab, which looks as though it might 

 be the remnant of a median dorsal stripe ; also there is a 



