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BULLETIN 114, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



however. North of Georgia the usual formula is 21-19, sometimes 

 23 rows is attained and more often the formula is lowered to 19-21-19, 

 21-19-17, or 19-21-19-17. South of Georgia a maximum of 23 

 rows is more common than a maximum of 21, and of all the speci- 

 mens examined from Florida, no individual had a lower formula than 

 21-19. It seems almost certain that extensive series of specimens 



Fig. 12.— Map showing locality records for Lampropeltis getxtlits getulus. 



will demonstrate a progressive decrease in number of scale rows with 

 increase in latitude. 



The pattern, as already described, is fundamentally a series of 

 transverse dorsal bands which bifurcate on the sides to join there 

 an alternating series of light areas. This arrangement is subject 

 to much variation. The bands vary from ^ to IJ scales in width; 

 the forks are always narrower, and vary from interrupted spots, or 

 nothing whatever, to unbroken lines a scale wide; and the lateral 



