21 



Colfther gettilns, Link. Syst. Nat. 1.1766, 382.— Gk, L. Syst. Nat. ed. xiii. I. iii. 

 1788, 1106.— Haei. Journ. Acad, Nat. Sc. Philad. T. 1827, 358; and Med. & 

 Phys. Res. 1835, 122.— Peai,e, Cont, Macl, Lye, I. 1829, pi. v.— Dekai, N. 

 York Fauna, III, 1842, pi, x. f, 21, 



Pseudoilaps getrdus, Fitz. N, Class, Rept. 1826, 66, 



Coronella getula, Holbr. N, Amer. Herp. Ill, 1842, 95, pi. xxi. 



Atiguis annvilatus, Catese, Nat, Hist. Carol, 11, 1743, 52, tab. Iii. 



Opkibolus getwlus, B, & G, 1, e. 1853, 85, 



The chainsnake is quite maritinie in its northern distribution, being rarely 

 foiind in the Northern States except near the coast. It is occasionally seen in 

 Long Island-, accordir^ to Dr, Dekat, and more frequently in Eastern New- 

 Jersey. It is qjiite abundant in the Southern States. I have no evidence of 

 its occurrence west of the Mississippi on the southern coast. 



This ^edes is semetimes called Kingsnake ; and is said to wage a deadly 

 Warfare against Ae different species of rattlesnakes, killing and devouring 

 them OB ■every occasion. 



11. Ophibolus EXiMirs, B. ^ G. — Housesnake. 



Spec. Chae. Grayish ash, with one dorsal series of upwards of fifty transversely 

 elliptical chocolate blotches, T^ith two other alternating lateral series on each 

 side. 214, 64, 21, 404, 54 (New-Tork). 



STNONTMS. 



Coluber eximius, Dekat, ( MSS.) and N.Y. Fauna, Rept. 1842, 88, pi. xii. f. 25. 



— Hael. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. V. 1827, 360; and Med. & Phys. Res. 



1835, 123.— Stoeee, Rep. Rept. Mass. 1839, 227. 

 Pseudoelaps Y, Beeth. Abh. K. Ges. Wiss. Gott, I, 1848, 67, pi. i. f. 11 & 12. 

 Ophibolus eximitis, B. & G. 1. o. 1853, 87. 

 Housesnake, Milksnake, Chickensnake, Thunder-and-lightning-snake. 



The harmless milk- or housesnake, so well known from its babit of coming 

 into the vicinity of houses, is quite common in the Northern States. It only 

 occurs as far west as the Mississippi river. Its southern limit is uncertain, 

 from its having been confounded with the closely allied O. chricus. B. & Gr. 



