370 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



resembling it in color, by having keeled scales in 17 rows ; while 

 L. vernalis has smooth scales, in 15 rows. 



Commonly described as not occurring north of central JSTew Jersey,, 

 but Ditmars ('96, p. 15) found it " quite common " in Plymouth 

 county, Ct. 



Mr W. Seward "Wallace, in his paper on the snakes of Rockland 

 county !N". Y., mentions its occurrence in that area ; and in a recent 



Fig. 6. Cyclophis aestivus 



letter to me states that he does " not believe it to be rare, though it 

 is not often seen, owing to its small size and secretive habits." In 

 view of these records it is probable that the species will be found to 

 occur in all the other southeastern counties, or at least in West- 

 chester county and on Long Island. 



6 Zamenis constrictor (Linn.) 



Black snake 



De Kay. Coluber constrictor 



Jordan. Bascanion constrictor 



Head distinct ; body elongate. Scales smooth, in 17 rows. Color,, 



in adult : lustrous pitch-black above ; beneath, greenish black to- 



Fig. 7 Zamenis constrictor 



