457 



CARINATED SNAKE. 



Coluber Carinatus. C. plumbeus, squamis magnis ovatis porosis, 



abdomine albido, dorso carinato. 

 Lead-coloured Snake, with large ovate porous scales, whitish 



abdomen, and carinated back. 

 Coluber carinatus. Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 384. 

 Abdominal scuta 157 subcaudal scales 115. 



A LARGE species, growing to five or six feet in 

 length, and of a moderate thickness : head rather 

 small, with large scales in front : tail tapering 

 gradually to a point : back much carinated, rising 

 into a ridge on the top : colour deep blueish brown 

 or cinereous, paler or whitish underneath : scales 

 very large, and marked with numerous impressed 

 points, as if pierced with pin-holes : under parts 

 whitish : native of North America : a harmless 

 species : varies as to colour, which is sometimes 

 blueish black, and sometimes cinereous with a 

 rufous cast : scales often pale or \vhitish towards 

 the tips. 



v. in. p. ii. 30 



