OP ARTS AND SCIENCKS. 121 



length of about 30 inches, has 23 or 25 rows of scales and 120 

 to 150 ventral plates. 



II. Crotalidae. 



This family includes all the poisonous snakes of the eastern 

 states. The maxillary is furnished with long, erectile fangs, 

 through which the poison is ejected. The body is usually stout. 

 The head is larger than the neck and is triangular. The scales 

 are keeled. All the species are viviparous. 



10. Crotaliis lyinnaeus. 



12. C. Jiorr'idus I^inngeus. Rattlesnake. This is brown, 

 varying much in shade and more or less blotched. " Most of the 

 specimens found in this state seem to be darker than those far- 

 ther south. The most distinguishing feature is the rattle at the 

 end of the tail. The scales number 23 to 25, the ventral plates 

 165 to 175. The length is about rfive feet. This is the only 

 poisonous snake known to live in New Hampshire and it is now 

 nearly extinct in all thickly settled portions. 



The foregoing twelve species are all that are known at pres- 

 ent to live in the state. There are four more that may possibly 

 be found here. Brief descriptions taken from Jordan's Manual 

 of the Vertebrates are appended. 



CarphophiopsamoemcsS^.y. Ground Snake. Glossy chestnut 

 brown ; belly salmon red; head very small ; scales 13. Ventral 

 plates 112 to 131. lycngth 12 inches. 



Regina leberis lyinnseus. Queen Snake. Chestnut brown ; 

 a yellow lateral band and three narrow, black dorsal stripes ; 

 belly yellow with two brown bands ; scales all keeled ; scales 

 19; ventral plates 140 to 150. I^ength 24. Found about streams. 



Callopeltis vulpiniis Baird and Girard. Fox Snake. Ivight 

 brown, with quadrate, chocolate colored blotches. Scales 25. 

 Ventral plates 200 to 210. I^ength 60 inches. 



Agkistrodon contortrix I/inngeus. Copperhead. Hazel brown; 

 top of head coppery red; back with a series of 15 to 25 V-shaped 

 blotches ; belly yellowish, with 35 to 45 dark spots on each side. 

 Scales 53. Ventral plates 150 to 155. L^ength 40 inches. 



