REPTILES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 225 



C punctatus. Lin. The ringed Snake. 



Shaw's Gen. Zoology, vol. iii. pt. 2. p. 553. 

 Harlan's Med. and Phys. Res. p. 117. 

 N. A. Herp. vol. ii. p. 115, et fig. 



This pretty species is less common than either of the pre- 

 ceding, being usually found concealed beneath the bark of de- 

 caying trees. The specimen before me is fourteen inches in 

 length ; the body is elongated, with smooth scales. Color 

 above, of an uniform bluish brown ; beneath, of a reddish yel- 

 low, with a longitudinal row of black spots upon each side of 

 the abdomen, where the abdominal plates and lateral scales 

 unite ; a third row of similar spots runs longitudinally along 

 the middle of the abdomen, as far as the vent, beyond which 

 they are not visible. Ten plates upon the top of the head ; 

 sixteen plates, beside that at the tip, border the upper jaw ; and 

 fourteen, margin the lower. Head half an inch long, one quarter 

 of an inch wide ; flattened above ; rather lighter colored than 

 the body. Nostrils large. Eyes of moderate size ; pupils black, 

 irides grayish. A broad yellowish white band crosses the 

 occiput. Tail, three inches in length, tapering to a point. 

 The abdominal plates are 156, and the caudal scales 56. A. 

 second specimen exhibits 156 plates, and 62 scales. 



C. constrictor. Lin. The commofi black Snake. 



Shaw's Gen. Zoology, vol. ili. pt. 2. p. 464. 

 Harlan's Med. and Phys. Res. p. 112. 



In some parts of the State, this is not an uncommon species, 

 frequently growing to the length of six feet. A fine specimen, 

 fifty-one inches in length, serves for the following description : 

 Length of the head, one and a half inches ; greatest width of 

 the head, half an inch. Body, above, almost black ; beneath, 

 slate-colored ; neck, margin of the jaws, and snout, yellow. 

 Plates upon the top of the head, very large ; that at the snout. 

 29 



