RINGED SNAKE. 



49 



SQUAMATA. 

 (OPHIDIA.) 



COLUBRIDJE. 



Genus, Natrix. Laur. 



Generic Character. Head distinct, oblong-ovate, depressed, covered with 

 scuta ; gape wide ; body very long, nearly cylindrical, slightly depressed ; tail 

 cylindrical, slender; scales imbricated, placed in longitudinal series, lanceolate, 

 generally carinated ; abdominal shields simple, arched at the margin ; caudal 

 shields biserial. 



RINGED SNAKE. 



COMMON SNAKE, 



Natrix torquata. Ray. 



Specific CJiaracter. Above greyish olive, with several rows of alternate black 

 spots ; beneath greenish yellow, tessellated with black (sometimes almost wholly 

 black) ; an interrupted yellow fascia across the neck, followed by two black 

 spots ; scales lanceolate, acutely carinated ; tail about one-fourth the length of 

 the body. 



