684 REPTILES — COLUBRID^. 



Tropidonotus niger, Holbrook. 



Nerodia sipedon, et transversa, Bairb and Girard. 



Trop%dmu)tus fasiAaius, var. sipedon, Gunthbr. 



General color above brownish, with three series of darker, more or less distinct, ap- 

 proximately quadrilateral blotches, the vertebral row much the larger, covering from 

 two to three scales before backwards, and nine to ten scales in width ; abdomen 

 yellowish, with dark blotches, or a marbling of yellow and brown ; the general color is 

 sometimes in old specimens so predominant as to render the markings obscure ; vertical 

 plate pentagonal, nearly or quite as long as commissural line of occipitals, the latter 

 truncate behind ; upper labials 8, lower 10 ; anteorbitals 1 ; postorbitals 3, over the 

 commissural line of the fifth and sixth upper labials ; inframaxillaries reaching to the 

 posterior end of seventh lower labial ; dorsal soaks in 23, rarely 25, rows ; gastrosteges 

 137-145 ; urosteges 60-80 ; body attaining a large size ; tail short. 



The young of this species show the coloration very decidedly ; a light line reachin 

 back from the posterior edge of, and two light spots upon the occipitals ; head also 

 variously marked or marbled with lighter. Length, 2f feet ; head, IJ inches ; tail, 7i 

 inches ; transverse diameter of head, J inch ; of neck, 9-16 inch ; circumference of body 

 4J inches. 



Habitat, Canada, IMaine, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Vir- 

 ginia, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Upper Missouri, "Louisiana and 



Mexico." 



In the State, as in the extralimital part of its range, Tropidonotus 

 sipedon is the commonest aquatic snake. It may be seen along the shores 

 of ponds, and streams, and upon logs, basking in the sun. It is found 

 only in wet places, and when disturbed takes to water and glides 

 rapidly away. Although a formidable looking animal, the Water 

 Snake is destitute of poison fangs, and perfectly harmless. 



Tropidonotus fasciatxjs Linnaeus. 



Coluber fasdatus, Linnjeus, Daudin, Holbrook. 



Coluber porcatus, Harlan. 



Tropidonotus fasdatus, Holbrook, DbKay, Dumeril and Bibron, Gunther. 



Nerodia fasdata, Baird aud Girard. 



y Coluber poroatus, Kirtland. 



General color brown above, with transverse dark spots in the'yonng ; sides with from 

 30-38 sub triangular red patches; abdomen reddish- white, with dark blotches; head 

 broader behind, and more triangular than Tropidonotus sipedon; vertical plate pentagonal, 

 broader in front than behind ; upper labials 8, lower 9 ; anteorbitals 1 ; dorsal scales in 

 23 rows, the exterior as well as the others carinated ; gastrosteges 128-233 ; urosteges 

 40-75. 



Habitat, South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Mexico, Central America. 



Dr. Kirtland refers the Coluber poroatus to Ohio, and states that it is found upon the 

 shores of rivers and creeks, and that it was popularly confounded with Tropidonotus 

 sipedon, under the name of Water Snake. I have not seen it from the State, and think 

 owing to its southern range, that his identification was probably erroneous. 



