The Sharp-nosed Snakes 



Red or orange; broad black cross-bands, terminating 

 near abdominal plates; tail ringed with black. 



RED AND BLACK GROUND SNAKE, C. CpbippicUS. 



Distribution. Nevada and Arizona. 

 Similar to preceding, but the black encircles the body 

 narrower on abdomen. 



ARIZONA GROUND SNAKE, C. dnctus. 



Distribution. Arizona; Lower California, 

 b. Veniral plate entire. 



Snout conical; head not distinct. A loreal plate. One 

 or two preocular plates. Scales in 19 rows. 



Genus Cemophora. 



Wide scarlet blotches, separated by pairs of black half- 

 rings, these enclosing a half-ring of yellow. 



SCARLET SNAKE, C. COCCinea. 



Distribution. South Carolina to Florida; westward 



to Mississippi. 

 B. Size moderate. Plates under the tail entire. 



Head slightly distinct and pointed; front surface of nose 

 plate flattened. A loreal plate; one or two preocular ~s. 

 Scales of the North American species in 23 rows. 



Genus Rhtnocbilus. 

 Alternate, square, black and reddish blotches. 



LE CONTE'S SNAKE. R. lecontei. 

 Distribution. Western Texas to California. 



The Genus Carpbopbis: But one species seems worthy 

 of recognition and this is a small, worm-like reptile, confined to 

 North America. A description is given: 



THE WORM SNAKE 

 Carpbopbis amcenus, (Say) 



Size very small. Body moderately stout, with smooth, 

 opalescent scales; head not distinct from the neck and ter- 

 minating in a pointed snout. The eyes are very small. 



Colouration. Chestnut-brown above; salmon-pink* on the 

 lower portion of the sides and the abdomen. With alcoholic 

 specimens this latter colour fades to yellow. 



Variations. Specimens of an opalescent, purplish-black 

 above and pink beneath, are found along the Mississippi Valley 

 and westward to Kansas. They have been described as a dis- 

 tinct species, under the scientific appellation of Carpbopbis vermis. 

 However, the points employed in separating this form from the 

 typical snake are superficial, and the former reptile appears 



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