428 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol.48. 



apparently the first time the species has been observed in the La- 

 hontan Basin. All previous records for the State are from southern 

 Nevada. 



Description. — This specimen has dark bars on the neck and spotted 

 throat typical of frenatum. The supralabials are 8-8, the infralabials 

 10-10, preoculars 2-2, postoculars 2-2, temporals 2-3, the maximum 

 dorsal scale rows 17, ventrals 188 (tail injured). 



Habits. — This snake was shot at the edge of a slough as it was 

 attempting to swallow a CaUisaurus v. myurus which was still strug- 

 gling in its jaws. 



BASCANION TAENIATUM (Hallowell). 



Locality. — Bascanion taeniatum was found at Carson City and Pyra- 

 mid Lake, Nevada. It is quite generally distributed throughout the 

 Lahontan Basin as is shown by the following published reords: Car- 

 son City, Quinn Kiver Crossing, and Pine Forest Mountains, Hum- 

 boldt County, Nevada. 



Description and variation. — The three specimens show but slight 

 variation in scale characters. The supralabials are 8-8, infralabials 

 10-10, with one exception of 9-10, preoculars and postoculars both 

 2-2, temporals 2 followed by 2 on each side, the maximum number 

 of dorsal scale rows 15, ventrals, 198, 207, 210, subcaudals 122 and 

 134 in two specimens. Total length, 1,127 mm. and 1,326 mm. (2 

 specimens); tail length 334 mm. and 416 mm. (2 specimens). 



The color pattern is very constant, agreeing with the descriptions 

 given by Cope (1898) and Van Denburgh (1897). 



Habits. — At Carson City the "striped racer" was collected in 

 rather heavy growths of Artemisia tridentata; at Pyramid Lake on 

 the more open desert among low-growing bushes. 



THAMNOPHIS SIRTALIS PARIETALIS (Say). 



Locality. — This garter snake was secured in the vicinity of Tallac, 

 on Lake Tahoe, and at Susanville, Lassen County, California. It 

 has been previously captured within the basin at Lake Tahoe, Wads- 

 worth, and the Truckee River, Nevada. 



Status and variation. — The six specimens obtained vary in squa- 

 mation, as the following table shows: 





Sex. 





Males. 



Females. 



Preoculars, 1-1 



2 

 2 



4 



Postoculars: 



3-3 



2 



3-4 



1 



4-4 





1 



Temporals, 1+2, 1+2 



2 



4 



