612 



OPHIDTA 



CHAP. 



The scales on the body form only seventeen rows. Another 

 feature of this species is the prominent ridge of the 'back-bone, 

 not only in half -starved but in well -conditioned specimens. 



FIG. 161. Zamenis mucosus (Rat Snake), x . 



The Eat Snake grows to a length of more than 7 feet, and is 

 as ill-tempered as most species of this genus. 



Z. gemonensis s. viridiflavus inhabits France, Italy, the 

 Balkan Peninsula, and Asia Minor. Its coloration is very 

 variable. In general it is either green above and yellow 

 below, hence the appropriate name mridifl,avus, or the ground- 

 colour of the back is greyish or olive -yellow with brownish 

 spots, which form more or less longitudinal rows on the trunk, 

 but gradually pass into blackish continuous lines on the tail; 

 the under parts are yellow or greenish white, often with many 

 very small, dark specks. The scales form seventeen or nineteen 

 rows ; the anal shield is divided. There are two small post- 

 ocular scales and one subocular ; of the eight labials, the fourth 

 and fifth border the eye. This species is very lively, attacks 



