128 OHIO STATE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



Smith ('82) gives it as frequenting marshes. It sometimes 

 is seen on low bushes. It may be distinguished from the follow- 

 ing by its smooth scales. 



Specimens in the U. S. Nat. Mus., recorded by Cope from Columbus. 

 Cin. Soc. Nat. His., collected by Dr. Lindahl from Hamilton Co. In O. S. 

 TJ. Mus., by E. L. Moseley from Sandusky, and by E. F. Crans from Ira, 

 Summit Co. 



Cyclophis aestivus L. Scales keeled. Brilliant green above, yellow- 

 ish below. Scales 17. Neck quite small, Length 33 inches. 



Habits similar to preceding species. It frequents drier 

 ground than vernalis, however. Like it, also, it is docile and 

 readily handled. Not common in Ohio ; a southern form. 



Specimens in the Cin. Soc. Nat. His., collected by Dr. Lindahl in Ham- 

 ilton Co. In O. S. U. Mus., by Prof. Tuttle at Ironton. 



Bascanion constrictor L. Glossy blue to black, changing to greenish 

 below. Anteriorly, belly and throat light. Scales smooth, 17 or 19. Body 

 long and slender, eye large. Length 5 feet. Young differing from adults 

 by having brown ground color above with black blotches. 



The Black-snake or Blue-Racer is one of our largest snakes. 

 It is a familiar animal, occurring over the whole of the State. 

 It is generally found in woodland, although it may be met with 

 in meadows or on roadsides. Its food, consisting as it does of 

 mice, rats, insects, etc., makes it a valuable vermin-destroyer, 

 but few are the farmers that pass one by without destroying it. 

 As to the tales of its prodigious strength whereby it can crush a 

 man by wrapping itself around him it may be said that they are 

 without foundation. This snake is a splendid tree-climber, run- 

 ning up a tree trunk by means of projecting knots and limbs with 

 readiness. If the Blue-racer can be arraigned for any misdeed it 

 is his love of eggs, and hen's nests often pay high for his reten- 

 tion on the farm. Kirtland ('38) mentions this snake as on the 

 increase as the country becomes cleared. 



Specimens in the U. S. Nat. Mus., recorded by Cope from Hughes, Salt 

 Creek and Delaware Co. In O. S. U. Mus., collected by W. H. Smith at 

 London and Lancaster, and by the author at Cedar Point. Also reported 

 from Hocking Co. 



Coluber vulpinus B. & G. Above yellow, with a median series of large, 

 irregular, chocolate blotches and a lateral series of smaller alternating with 

 the larger ones. Head copper-colored above. Below yellow, with rectangu- 

 lar, black spots forming a checker-board appearance. Scales smooth, 25. 

 Length 5 feet. 



