X24 CALAMARIA STRIATULA. 



hollowed. The inferior wall of the orbit is completed by the third and fourth 

 labial plates, of which there are five, the fourth and fifth very large. The neck is 

 not contracted. The body is short, rather thick, and covered above with small 

 sub-hexagonal scales, truncated posteriorly, and strongly carinated, the lower row 

 only being smooth. The tail is very short and thick. 



Colour. The whole superior surface of this serpent is reddish-brown; the 

 inferior surface is pale salmon-colour. 



Dimensions. Length of head, 4^ lines; length of body, 8 inches; length of tail, 

 2 inches: total length, 10 inches 4^ lines. In the individual here described there 

 were 130 abdominal plates and 30 sub-caudal bifid plates. 



Habits. This animal lives almost constantly under the bark of dead trees, 

 or under rocks and stones, feeding entirely on insects. 



Geographical Distribution. The Calamaria striatula inhabits the Atlantic 

 states, from Maryland to Georgia. 



General Remarks. Linnaeus gave a short description of this animal from 

 specimens sent him from Carolina by Dr. Garden. The first figure of the 

 Calamaria striatula may be seen in Latreille's Histoire Naturelle des Reptiles, 

 though it is but ordinary. Schlegel has lately given an excellent description of 

 this serpent, from specimens found near New Orleans. 



