132 OHIO STATE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



Natrix leberis L. Chestnut brown, with three black longitudinal 

 stripes and a lateral yellowish stripe. Below yellow with a black line run- 

 ning along the ends of the gastrosteges. Scales 19. Length 2 feet. 



Common in all parts of the State. It is often to be found 

 hanging over a stream from projecting limbs of willows from 

 which it glides rapidly into the water when disturbed. It bites 

 viciously when caught and, while non-poisonous, yet inflicts an 

 ugly wound. 



Specimens in the U. S. Nat. Mus., recorded by Cope from Lima and 

 Highland Co. In Cin. Soc. Nat. His., collected by Dr. Lindahl from Ham- 

 ilton Co. In O. S. U. Mus., collected by the author at Youngstown and 

 Chillicothe. 



Natrix kirtlandii Kenn. Purplish-brown above, with four rows of 

 black blotches, alternating one with another. Below salmon-colored, the 

 ends of the gastrosteges being black, forming two longitudinal lines. Body 

 flattened. Scales 19. Length i^ feet. 



Common in marshy land, especially in hilly regions. They 

 lie quiet during the daytime and emerge late in the afternoon to 

 search for food. The snake is inconspicuous and is often passed 

 off for N. f. sipedon. It is variable in color, the dorsal blotches 

 sometimes being scarcely discernable, while the red of the ventral 

 parts may be dull or even brownish. Its habit of making the 

 naturally flattened body natter still by the expansion of the ribs 

 is interesting from the point of view of the student of animal 

 behavior. The first specimen recorded below was taken in 

 January. 



Specimens in the Cin. Soc. Nat. His., collected by Dr. Lindahl from 

 Hamilton Co. In O. S. U. Mus., by C. R. Diltz, Perry Co.; E. E. Master- 

 man, New London, and by the author at Sugar Grove. 



Storeria dekayi Holbrook. Clay-colored above, with a light vertebral 

 stripe and a dotted line on either side. Below ashy. A dark spot on either 

 side of occiput. Scales keeled, anal plate double. Scales 17. Length I 

 foot. The ground color above may be brownish and the streaks may become 

 very inconspicuous or obsolete. 



Not a common snake in the State. Frequents marshy land, 

 but Hay ('92) does not bear this out. Smith ('82) gives it as 

 occurring at Cleveland and in the north-western part of the State. 

 It probably occurs over the whole State sparingly. 



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

 Madison, Grand Rapids and Highland Co. 



