20 



Thamnophis sirtalis ordinata (Linn.). 



Color green or olive, with the lateral stripes wanting; 

 dorsal stripe very indistinct or entirely absent. Two rows 

 of distinct dark quadrate spots on each side. Gastrosteges 

 showing usual black spots. Taken in a swampy locality 

 on Long Island, New York, and at Fort Lee, New Jersey. 



The garter snake is our most common species, being 

 found in numbers, even in Central -Park. It is equally 

 abundant in the swamps of New Jersey, and at an elevation 

 of over two thousand feet on rocky ground in the Catskill 

 Mountains. The number of young produced often exceeds 

 thirty ; they feed on earthworms, as well as small Ba- 

 trachians, and grow very rapidly. They exhibit much the 

 same coloration as the adult, but present a more spotted 

 appearance. 



Natrix Laur. 



Head distinct from neck, scuta normal. Two nasals ; 

 loral present. Scales strongly carinated. Anal scutum 

 and subcaudals bifid. 



Two species are recorded from this State, N. leberis and 

 N. fasciata sipedon, but as to the former, little seems to be 

 known. Holbrook * mentions it from New York State and 

 Baird includes it in his list of Ophidia of the State, but does 

 not give the locality. As there is no authentic record of 

 its being taken in this vicinity, it would not seem reason- 

 able to include the species among our local Ophidia. The 

 latter snake, a variety of N. fasciata of the Southern States, 

 is one of our most common reptiles. 



The species are semi-aquatic, living along the borders of 

 streams and lakes ; when alarmed, they generally glide 

 into the water and, diving to the bottom, remain there for 

 a short time. 



Natrix fasciata sipedon (Linn.). 

 Water Snake. 

 Eight upper labials, increasing in size to seventh ; eighth 



* North American Herpetology, Part IV., 1842, p. 51. 



