SNAKES. 63 



(V/) Grass snake, E. s.graminea Cope ; color, green, 

 lacking both stripes and spots, except a small black 

 spot near the end of each ventral plate. 



(6) Spotted garter snake, E. s. ordinata (L.) ; lacks 

 the stripes, but has three distinct rows of square dark 

 spots, on each side between the head and tail ; and 

 also a small black spot at the end of each ventral plate. 



(c) Red-sided garter snake, E. s. parietalis (Say) ; 

 has the stripes present, yellow or greenish, and a row 

 of brick-red spots alternating with a row of darker 

 colored spots along the sides. 



(d) Common garter snake, E. s. sirtalis (L.) ; has 

 the stripes present but faint and narrow, with three 

 rows of indistinct dark spots on each side. 



These varieties are named in the order of their rel- 



ative abundance in Indiana, the grass snake being 



scarce, while in the course of the summer more of the 



red-sided and common garter snakes 



are probably seen than of the individ- 



Qarter Snake lia ^ 8 ^ a ^ other species combined. 

 They are to be found anywhere, but 

 prefer the vicinity of water, where frogs and other 

 smike food is most abundant. When teased, they 

 flatten the body, elevate the scales, hiss and exude a 

 disgusting odor. Sometimes they strike viciously and 

 may even draw blood with their needle-like teeth, but 

 their bite is less harmful than that of a mosquito, as 

 it causes no swelling or after pain. The young of the 

 garter snake are born alive in late summer or early 

 autumn, and their number is legion. Dr. J. Schneck, 

 of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, has recorded* the taking of 



'-American Naturalist, XVI, 1882, 1008. 



