REVISION OF THE KING SNAKES. 



129 



measured 1,137 mm., although Hay records a specimen 1,150 mm. iu 

 length (1902, 90). 



The pattern is very similar to that of calligaster, but in adults it 

 is, as a rule, so greatly obsciu-ed that an ordinarj' individual presents 

 a nearly uniform brown appearance. In the yoimg, however, and 

 in some adults, the markings are well defined. 



The body pattern consists of about 55 (48 to 64) transversely 

 elongate dorsal blotches, about 1^ to 2 scales long, and 8 to 11 scales 

 wide, that become narrower on the sides, and extend down to the 



FiQ. 42.— Color pattern of Lampropeltis rhombomaculata (U.S.N.M. no. 16832, Brooklanp, Dis- 

 tEicT OF Columbia). About ij x nat. size. 



sixth or fifth row of scales (fig. 42). On the tail they become much 

 narrower. The two series of lateral alternating blotches are narrow, 

 irregular, and commonly fused into a single series in alternation 

 with the blotches of the dorsal row. Small dark spots are often 

 present, posteriorly, between the spots of the lateral series. The 

 belly is white or yellowish, and checked, scantily or heavily, with 

 dark brown. Large dark individuals often exhibit a lengthwise 

 striping precisely like that described for calligaster (fig. 40), and first 

 observed by Miller in a specimen from Alexandria, Virginia (1002, 36). 



