130 OHIO STATE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



Osceola doliata triangula Boie. Ground color greyish, with a series 

 of median dorsal blotches of brown edged with black. A series of smaller 

 blotches lie lateral to these and alternate with them. Occipital spot triangu- 

 lar. Below yellowish, with quadrate black blotches. Scales 21, smooth. 

 Length 4^ feet. 



The Milk-snake can be confused with either the Fox- snake 

 or the Water-snake. From the former it is readily told by its 

 entire anal plate, while the scales in the Water-snake are keeled. 

 The common name of the snake has nothing to do with the color, 

 but is indicative of its habit of prying around milk-houses. 

 It is often found in houses in the country where it doubtless 

 wanders for food. It is absolutely harmless. Common all over 

 the State. 



Specimens in the U. S. Nat. Mus. , recorded by Cope from Hughes. In 

 the Cin. Soc. Nat. His., collected by Dr. Lindahl in Hamilton Co. In O. S. 

 U. Mus., by J. S. Hine at Akron, and by the author at London and Nelson- 

 ville. 



Osceola doliata doliata L. Similar to preceding, but no yellow line 

 running back from eye along sides of head. Ground color reddish. 



Rare in the State. Given in the present connection because 

 of Specimen No. 10,084, U. S. N. M., from Hughes, Ohio, col- 

 lected by R. T. Shepherd. 



Ophibolus calligaster Say. Above light, with chestnut blotches 

 arranged in three series, a median and a lateral on either side. Scales in 25 

 rows. 



To be distinguished from the two preceding species of the 

 genus Osceola by the number of scales. Rare in Ohio. 



Specimen in O. S. U. Mus., collected by Prof. Tuttle at Lancaster. 



Natrix fasciata fasciata L. Lozenge-shaped patches of black on back 

 and sides a single series. No alternating lateral blotches save an alternat- 

 ing series of lateral reddish spots. Scales keeled, 23 or 25. Head long. 

 A black postocular band. Length 4^ feet. 



This is the Southern Water-snake. It is distinguishable 

 from the following sub-species by the absence of a lateral series 

 of blotches of black alternating with the dorsal series. 



In the State it is represented by a single specimen in the 

 Zoological Museum of the Ohio State University from Warren 

 County. 



