
490 THE AMERICAN NATURALIST. 
The thirteen specimens so far discussed prove that the 
Canadian life zone contains garter snakes not exhibiting the 
characters of pallidula. An examination of the descriptions 
of specimens 11, 12, 13, and 14 (all of which are from points 
in the Transition or Upper Austral zone) will show that speci- 
mens exhibiting the characters of pallidula are not confined to 
the Canadian zone. It would seem impossible, therefore, to 
agree with Mr. Allen in assuming any relation between the 
characters of pallidula and the climate of the Canadian life 
zone. Asa matter of fact, specimens exhibiting these charac- 
ters may be found in almost any part of New York state. I 
believe that at the present time Mr. Ditmars has, in the New 
York Zoólogical Garden, living specimens of this type captured 
in New York City. 
If, however, no relation can be established between the col- 
oration of the form pallidula and any particular habitat, 
pallidula can no longer be regarded as a definite variation from 
the type, due to definite climatic conditions. It then falls to 
the same level as the form oscura, and apparently no reason 
can be given for assigning subspecific rank to either. 
New York STATE MUSEUM, 
December 5, 1901. 

