26 SYNOPSES AND DESCRIPTIONS. 
nated with those of the dorsal series. A faded band of dark color from 
the eye to the angle of the mouth. The markings are subject to great 
variation, often very indistinct or obsolete. Belly reddish, yellowish, or 
white, more or less spotted or mottled with brown, lighter under neck and 
chin. Canada to Mexico. 
sipedon. Greyish or brownish. Rows of scales 23 (23—25). Maine to 
Sonora. 
erythrogaster. Reddish. Rows of scales 23—25. Southeastern U.S. 
~ 
rhombifer. Brownish, with transverse dorsal rhombs. Rows of scales 25. 
TROPIDONOTUS TAXISPILOTUS. 
Holbrook, 1842, N. A. Herp. IV, p. 35, pl. VIL. 
Stout, tapering to head and tail; head moderate, broader than the neck, 
snout, narrow; tail about one fourth of the total length, somewhat distinct, 
slightly compressed, tapering. Head-shields normal. Rostral broad, low. 
Nasal in two parts, nostril between. <A loreal. One anteorbital (1—2.) 
Postorbitals 2 (2—3.) A single temporal in contact with the orbitals. 
Labials 8 (7—9), the two preceding the last large. Infralabials 10 (9—11), 
fifth and sixth larger. Scales keeled, notched at the extremity, in 29—31 
rows, outer rather large. Ventrals broad, 130—141. Anal bifid. Sub- 
caudals 80 pairs. Brown, with three series of dark blotches, separated by 
spaces of nearly equal width. Lateral series little smaller than the dorsal. 
3elly brownish, marked with yellow on the fore edges of the scales, more 
yellow anteriorly. Southeastern United States. 
Tropiponotus cycLorium, pl. IT, fig. 4. 
Duméril & Bibron, 1854, Erp. Gén. VIL, 576. 
Moderately stout, elongate fusiform; belly broad, back slightly com- 
pressed; head distinct, broad behind, short in front of eyes; tail about one 
fourth of the total, subtriangular, tapering. Head-shields nine. Rostral 
broad, low. Nasal in two parts, nostril between. Lower side of loreal 
longer, upper short. One ante, two post, and two to three suborbitals. 
9, 
three preceding the last large, occasionally one or more in contact with the 
Temporals large, a single one in contact with the orbitals. Labials 8 
orbitals. Infralabials 10—12. Submentals two pairs, anterior larger. 
Scales notched at the end, keeled, in 27—33 rows, outer broader, faintly 
keeled. Ventrals 138—150, Anal bifid. Subcaudals 60—75 pairs. 
