BATRACHIANS AND REPTILKS OF OHIO. 129 



The Fox-snake is like the last, a large snake. It is a deni- 

 zen of woodland areas and a splendid tree-climber. The writer 

 watched a five-foot specimen crawl up a small elm tree. It used 

 its head as a fulcrum to a large extent and would take advantage 

 of the least irregularity in the bark as a means of aiding its ascent. 



The range of this snake has been a matter of dispute, but 

 now it seems that Ohio holds the eastern -most record. Cope 

 ( 5 oo) asserts that it does not occur east of Illinois, but it occurs 

 throughout Indiana and northern Ohio. For a full consideration 

 of the case the reader is referred to " Science," Vol. XV, page 

 1034, where the present writer reviews the matter in question. 

 The snake is common in the northern part of the State, but does 

 not occur in central or eastern Ohio. 



Specimens in the O. S. U. Mus., collected by Seth Hayes at Cedar Point, 

 and by the author at Castalia. 



Coluber obsoletus obsoletus Say. Above brownish black, scales 

 edged with white. A series of irregular, quadrate blotches with a series of 

 smaller blotches lateral to and alternating with them, both being at times 

 obscure or even obsolete. Median scales somewhat keeled, the remainder 

 smooth. Below very dark brown, somewhat mottled. Scales 27. Length 

 6 feet or over. 



This is our largest snake. The vernacular name is Pilot 

 Black-snake. It is to be found only in w r ooded areas and seems 

 to retreat to the heaviest forests with the advent of the axe. It 

 is easily handled and makes little defence when captured. They 

 are often found sunning themselves after a period of rain. 



The snake is not well known among the farmers in general, 

 but wood-cutters in the region of native forests are familiar 

 with it. 



In the wooded areas of the State fairly common, but appar- 

 ently growing rare. 



Specimens in the O. S. U. Mus., collected by R. C. Osburn at Columbus; 

 by Prof. Tuttle at Yellow Springs ; by the author at Nelsonville and Lick- 

 ing Co. 



*Pituophis melanoleu'cus (Daudin). Ground color above white with 

 a series of brown blotches, bounded by black rings. Scales 29. Postorbital 

 scales 3. Head almost white. Length, maximum 70 inches. 



A resident of the pine woods and wooded sandy regions. Its 

 range is southerly. The Pine or Bull-snake, as it is called, has 

 no Ohio record. 



