Small, Miscellaneous Smooth-scaled Serpents 



and about twelve on the tail; on the dorsal line the interspaces 

 are mottled with pale red; belly blotched with black which ex- 

 tends on the sides and often breaks into the lateral spots ; on the 

 sides the scales are finely punctulated with black; a dark patch 

 on the parietals, with a smaller one on each side of the neck; a 

 dark, post-ocular streak; forepart of head, chin and throat 

 maculated with black." (A. E. Brown). 



Dimensions. Total length 23 inches; tail, 2 inches. 



Distribution. This rare snake is known only from Marion 

 and Orange Counties, Florida. 



Habits. Apparently a burrowing species. 



The Genus Rhadinea: The several species inhabit North 

 and South America; but one is found in the former. All are of 

 small size. Rear teeth of the upper jaw slightly enlarged, but 

 smooth. A loreal plate and one -preocular; ventral plate divided. 



THE YELLOW-LIPPED SNAKE 

 Rhadinea flavilata, (Cope) 



Body moderately slender; head fairly distinct; scales 

 smooth and polished. Tail proportionately long. Scales in 

 17 rows. 



Colouration. Pale reddish-brown above paler on the sides, 

 which are of a golden tinge. Head darker than the body. A 

 dusky band commences behind the snout, extends to the eye, 

 thence from behind the eye to the angle of the mouth. The upper 

 lip is bright yellow; abdomen immaculate yellow. 



^Dimensions. Total Length 12 inches. 



Length of Tail 3f 



Greatest Diameter 



Width of Head 1 " 



Length of Head J 



Distribution. A rare species. Occurs from the Atlantic 

 Coast region North Carolina to Florida westward to Mississippi. 



Habits. Little is known of this snake. It is a secretive 

 reptile and may be found under the bark of decaying logs. 



The Genus Contia: A number of small snakes are embraced 

 in this genus; some inhabit Asia; four are found in the United 



*Through the courtesy of Dr. Samuel Garman and Mr. Thomas 

 Barbour the writer was able to photograph the head and obtain meas- 

 urements of this rare snake. 



33 



