BATRACHIAJSS AND REPTILES OF ONTARIO. 13- 



GENUS NATRIX. 



(8) Natrix sipedon. 



(Water Snake.) 



Common about streams throughout Ontario. When molested this 

 creature shows fight and makes strenuous efforts to bite its tormentor. 

 It is, however, perfectly harmless. It swims well and rapidly and feeds 

 on frogs and small fish. 



GENUS CALLOPELTIS. 



(9) CallopeltJs vulpinus. 



(Fox Snake.) 



This is the largest and strongest of all our snakes and at the same 

 time one of the most harmless and timid. It does not appear to be com- 

 mon anywhere, but is generally distributed through the western part of 

 Ontario from the Niagara Peninsula to the Georgian Bay, and probably 

 somewhat further north. 



Dr. Garnier records one which measured seven feet eleven inches and 

 I have seen several nearly as large. 



GENUS LIOPELTIS. 



(10) Liopeltis vernalis. 



(Green Snake, Grass Snake.) 



A very gentle, beautiful, little creature. Common and generally dis- 

 tributed. It feeds largelv if not entirely upon soft-bodied insects and is 

 therefore of economic value. 



GENUS BASCANION. 



(11) Bascanion constrictor. 



(Black Snake, Black Racer.) 



I include this species, though I am in doubt as to its occurrence in 

 this Province. Many years ago, I believe that I found the true Black 

 Snake in western Ontario, but preserved no specimens. Of late years all 

 the so-called Black Snakes examined by me have proved to be the Com- 

 mon Water Snake (Natrix sipedon). 



This species is very active and strong, but is perfectly harmless. Its 

 food consists principally of voles and mice, of which it destroys large 

 numbers. Professor Cope says of it : "Of all our snakes it is the most 

 useful to the farmer from the great number of moles and mice which it 

 consumes." 



There is a specimen of this snake in the Museum, but it was taken in 

 Florida. 



GENUS DIADOPHIS. 



(12) Diadophis punctatus. 



(Ring Snake.) 



A small, tolerably common species, which feeds largely upon beetles 

 and soft-bodied insects. Generally distributed and very inoffensive. 



