11 



Syn. Crotalophorus, Gteay, Ann. Philos. 1825, 205. — B. & Gr. Catal, 

 of North-American Serpents, 1853, 1. 



2. Ceotalophorvs tergeminus, Holhr. — Massasauga. 



Spec. Char. Twenty-five rows of dorsal scales, strongly carinated,witli the excep- 

 tion of the first row, which is perfectly smooth. Vertical plate suhhexagonal, 

 pointed posteriorly. Seven longitudinal series of hlotches. A narrow band of 

 yellowish white extends from the pit to the neck, in passing close to the angle of 

 the mouth. 150, 21-fl, 25, 291, 2^ (Wisconsin). 



STHONYMS. 



Crotalus tergeminus, Sat, Long's Exp. Eocky Mts. I. 1828, 499. — Haul. JoUrn. 



Acad. Nat. So. Philad. V. iii. 1827, 372. 

 Crotalophorus tergeminus, Holee,. N. Amer. Herp. III. 1842, 29. PI. v. — B. &.G. 



Catal. N.Am. Serp. (1853), 1— Gebh. 6thRep. State Cab. Nat. Hiat. 1853, 22. 

 * Crotalophorus, Agass. Lake Sup. 1850, 381, PI. vi. flg. 6-8. 

 Prairie Rattlesnake, Massasauga. 



As this species is not included in Dekay's Fauna of New- York, I give a 

 detailed description, taken from a specimen caught in Wisconsin ; referring 

 to the Report of the State Cabinet as above quoted, for the description of 

 the New- York specimen. 



The ground color above is brown : the blotches are deep chestnut-brown, 

 blackish externally, and with a yellowish white margin. The dorsal blotches 

 are thirty-four in number from the head to the region opposite the anus, 

 twenty-sLs of which are transversely and irregularly oblong, anteriorly and 

 posteriorly emarginated ; less so, however, posteriorly : eight are subcircu- 

 lar. Five or six exist on the tail from the anus to its tip, extending on the 

 sides, the last two forming sometimes a complete ring. The next series on 

 either side is composed of small blotches, but as intensely colored as in the 

 other series : they alternate with the dorsal ones ; they have no regularity 

 either in outline or position. The second lateral row is composed of the largest 

 lateral blotches : they are transversely oblong or oval on the second, third, 

 fourth, iifth, and sixth rows of scales, and opposite the blotches of the dorsal 

 series ; consequently alternating with the third series above. The first lateral 

 series again is composed of blotches intermediate in size between those of the 

 third and second series : they occupy the first and second rows of scales, and 

 extend somewhat to the abdominal scutellac, and alternating with the ad- 

 joining series. Two undulated vittaa extend from the supraorbital plates along 

 the neck to the first dorsal blotch, and often confluent with the latter. A 

 linear Vitta, margined with yellowish white, extends from the posterior edge 



