302 ZOOLOGY. 



MASTICOPHIS T^NIATUS, Baird & Girard. 



The Calif orulan Whip Snake. 



Leptophia Ueniaia, Haliowell, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil. VI, 1852, p. 181. 



Masiicophistcsniatua, B. & G. Catal. N. Am. Rep. 1853, p. 103.— Baird, P. R. R. Rep. Vol. X, (Beckwith's Exp.) 

 PI. xxin. 



Sp. Ch. — Dorsal rows 15 , tail about one-third of the total length. A broad brown dorsal stripe margined by a darker 

 line. The four outer rows of scales on each side yellow, with a darker line through the centre of each. A dark line along 

 the edge of the abdomen, making six dark lines on each side. Beneath yellowish. 



A young specimen of this species was obtained on Snake river, Oregon Territory. Nothing 

 regarding its habits was observed. — S. 



DIADOPHIS PULCHELLUS, Baird & Girard. 



The Western illug Snalte. 



Diadophis pukhdlus, B. & G. Cat. N. Am. Serpents, 1855, p. 115. 



Sp_ Ch. — Dorsal scales in fifteen rows ; occipital ring broad ; colors, (in ale.,) above uniform dark greenish brown, beneath 

 orange with small black spots irregularly scattered both above and below from head to tail, sometimes wanting. Color 

 of abdomen extending on to lateral dorsal scales. 



A living specimen had the following colors: Top of head glossy, of a dark brownish olive 

 with a bluish tinge, several of the plates being indistinctly spotted with black. Occipital 

 ring deep reddish orange, having a diagonal width of three scales. A band along the back 

 eleven scales wide of a sU\ty brown, rather pale, and with a slight greenish tinge anteriorly; 

 posteriorly it becomes more bluish, losing its greenish cast and narrowing on the tail from 

 9 to 2 scales in width. Chin, belly, and first two rows of dorsal scales bright, fiery orange. 

 This color deepens posteriorly, becoming more red, the sub-caudal scutella being almost the 

 color of red sealing-wax. A row of black spots on each side, each spot being on the posterior 

 edge of the first row of dorsal scales. The abdominal scutella3 have two well marked rows 

 of small black spots besides several other partial or irregular rows. All these spots are found 

 on the posterior edges of the scales. 



The occipital ring is margined posteriorly by a series of black spots, showing an apparent 

 attempt in nature to form a black linear margin. 



This is the only specimen of the genus or the species that I have seen west of the Rocky 

 mountains. The natives do not say that it is abundant, and the white settlers have only 

 occasionally observed it. Fort Dalles, Oregon Territory, May, 1855. — S. 



CELUTA AMCENA, B. & G. 

 Plate XIX, Fig. 2. 



Ground Snake ; Worm Snake. 



(Hula Amana, B. & G. Cat. N. A. Serpents, 1853, p. 129. 



Colvher amcenus, Sat, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. IV, 1825, 237. — Hakl. Jouni. Acad. Nat. Sc. Pliilad. V, 



1827, 355 ; and Med. & Phys. Res. 1835, 118.— Storer, Rep. Rept. Mass. 1839, 226. 

 Calamaria amana, Schl. Ess. Phys. Serp. Part, descr. 1837, 31. PI. 1, figs. 19 and 20. 

 Brachyorrhos amaeus, Hoibb. N. Amer. Herp. Ill, 1842, 115. PI. xxvii. 



Sp. Ch. Above uniform chestnut brown, opalescent ; light yellow (bright salmon-color In life) beneath. Dorsal scales 



in 13 rows. 



Western Missouri. 



