REVISION OF THE KING SNAKES. 51 



scales long and two wide, or this may be elongated as the first trans- 

 verse band. 



Normally the white is restricted as above, but in the soutliern por- 

 tion of the range there is commonly a development of white in the 

 centers of the scales of the dark areas of the back and sides. This is 

 usually most pronounced midway between the light bands. 



The belly is checked with black or brown and white, or yellow and 

 may be nearly all dark or nearly all light. 



The copulatory organ may be described as follows: Distinctly 

 forked; sulcus single, extending over the side of the longer fork; a 

 bare space at the apical end, surrounded by low calyces which extend 

 but slightly below the tips of the forks; fringes few, soon developing 

 into spines, which increase in size to about one-third the distance to 

 the base, and then stop suddenly, being succeded by a few minute 

 spines, or none at all; remainder of organ smooth. This description 

 holds for specimens from Baldwin County, Alabama, Indian River, 

 and Charlotte Harbor, Florida, Virginia Beach and Dunn Loring, 

 Vu'ginia, and Montgomery County, Maryland. This organ differs 

 from that of Tiolbrooki m the great restriction or entire absence of the 

 minute spines, the more distinctly forked character of the apical 

 end, the fewer caWces and their shorter fringes. It does not seem 

 to differ particularly from that of jloridana, except in having shorter 

 forks. 



The skull is essentially like that of TwTbroold. Maxillary teeth 13 

 to 16, usually 13, subequal, the last one or two slightly stouter than 

 the preceding or actually a little smaller; mandibular teeth 14 to 17, 

 usually 14 or 15, the anterior a little the larger, the first and the last 

 five or six the smallest; palatines 9, sometimes 10, subequal; ptery- 

 goids 16 to 20, subequal, a little smaller than the palatmes and 

 decreasing in size posteriorly. 



While getulus is a distinct and well-defined form, throughout its 

 range, at its southwestern limits it intergrades with niger, and m 

 central Florida v^iih floridana. The only character by which it may 

 be distmguished hi doubtful cases from uiger is the number of cross 

 bands, which are more than 50 in the latter and usually less than 40 

 in getulus. Where the range of getulus meets that oifioridana, again 

 the most valid separation may be made on the number of cross 

 bands; getulus generally has less than 50, and Jloridana more. The 

 totality of characters is the best guide, and yet there may still be 

 doubt about exceptional individuals from near the common boundary 

 of the ranges. 



Habitat and h<ibits. — This species has received frequent mention in 

 the literature. Probably the first reference to it was that of Catesby 

 (1731, 52). He says: "It was the first one of the kind I ever saw, nor 

 was it known to any of the inhabitants I showed it to, therefore as 



