126 OHIO STATE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



A snake too inconspicuous and uncommon for a common 

 name. It occurs in sparse woodland and among underbrush. 

 Sometimes it visits houses. A more inoffensive creature could 

 not well be imagined. The species helenae Kennicott having but 

 a single pair of frontal plates is a variation of the species under 

 consideration. Rare in the State, but probably occurs in all parts 

 of Ohio. 



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

 Ironton. Mus. of Antioch College, Yellow Springs, from Yellow Springs. 

 In O. S. U. Mus., from Meigs Co. 



Diadophis regalis arnyi Kenn. Slender ; above leaden black, below 

 yellow, thickly spotted with black. An occipital ring light yellow. Scales 

 smooth, 17. Length 2 feet. 



Ohio seems to be the eastern limit of this form. It is 

 recorded for the State in but one place, viz. : 



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



Diadophis punctatus Linn. Tail short, below yellowish-orange, with- 

 out spots save at times a faint median series. Above blue- black. A yellow- 

 ish to salmon red occipital ring. Tail beneath unspotted. Scales smooth, 

 15. Length \ l / 2 feet. 



A beautiful snake. Found in hilly regions, often under bark 

 or under rotten logs. Its food consists of insects, toads, etc. It 

 may be handled without its manifesting any annoyance. It lies 

 quiet during the daytime and forages at night. It breeds in 

 June. Rare in the State. 



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

 Cleveland. In the Cin. Soc. Nat. His., collected by Dr. Lindahl in Hamil- 

 ton Co. In O. S. U. Mus., collected by the author from Fairfield Co. 



Heterodon platyrhinus Latr. Occurs in two forms, normal and 

 melanistic. Former as follows : Above brownish, with a series of irregular 

 dark blotches replaced on tail by saddle-shaped blotches. Below greenish 

 yellow. Snout recurved, forming a "rooter." Scales keeled, 25. Anal 

 plate bifid. Second form above uniform blue-black, below greenish. Length 

 nearly 2^ feet. 



The Blow-viper, of all its kindred, is most persecuted. Abso- 

 lutely harmless, it is killed at sight. In a way it is responsible, 

 for its attempts at bluffing and passing itself off as a dreadful 

 creature have rather tended to heap abuse upon it. When ap- 

 proached it will lie quiet until assured that its presence is known 



