The Striped Snakes Garter Snakes 



interesting differences. To render these comprehensive, a simple 

 key is given: 



General. 21 rows of scales counted in an oblique line around 

 the body (occasionally 19). Body rather stout and with 

 three stripes (except in one variety) the side stripe on 

 the second and third rows of scales. 



General Habitat. The central plains to the Pacific 

 Coast. 



1 . No markings on head. 



Blackish or olive; stripe on side not very distinct. None 

 or but faint spots between the stripes. 



PACIFIC GARTER SNAKE, E. elegans typical. 



Distribution. California to Oregon. 



Blackish or olive; an orange stripe on the back; no 



stripes on the sides. Abdomen greenish, throat yellow. 



SINGLE-STRIPED GARTER SNAKE, E. elegans infernalis. 



Distribution. Pacific region. 



Greenish or ashy; a pale yellow stripe on back and sides 

 (latter faint). Rows of small, round spots between 

 stripes, some of the spots breaking central stripe. 

 One plate in front of eye (preocular). 



GREEN GARTER SNAKE, E. elegans vagrans. 

 Distribution. Central plains to Pacific Coast 



Oregon to California. 

 Two plates in front of eye (preoculars.) 

 Markings like preceding. 



WASHINGTON GARTER SNAKE, E. elegans biscutata. 

 Distribution. Washington and Oregon. 



2. A pale crescent on each temple. 



Straw-colour, with narrow stripes and rows of large, 

 square black spots. 



r^ 7 



MARCY s GARTER SNAKE, E. elegans marciana. 

 Distribution. Central Texas through Arizona. 

 Dark brown or olive, stripes narrow and spots indis- 

 tinct. 



COUCH'S GARTER SNAKE, E. elegans couchi. 

 Distribution. Arizona and California. 



The Typical Form. The typical form of this species ap- 

 peals much to several varieties of the more widely distributed 

 E. sirtalis. It is a smaller reptile however, and evinces a dif- 

 ference of the chin shields* as do all the varieties of the species, 

 which character may be generally employed in distinguishing 

 the forms of this species from those of the allied reptile sirtalis. 



* This useful point for identification was called to the writer's at- 

 tention by Mr. Arthur Erwin Brown. 



225 



