REVISION OF THE KING SNAKES. 



129 



measured 1,137 mm., although Hay records a specimen 1,150 mm. in 

 length (1902, 90). 



The pattern is very similar to that of calligaster, but in adults it 

 is, as a rule, so greatly obsciu*ed that an ordinary individual presents 

 a nearly uniform brown ai>pearance. In the young, however, and 

 in some adults, the markings are w^ell defined. 



The body pattern consists of about 55 (48 to 64) transversely 

 elongate dorsal blotches, about li to 2 scales long, and 8 to 11 scales 

 wide, that become narrower on the sides, and extend down to the 



^mm:^:- 



Fig. 42.— Color pattern of Lampropeltis rhombomaculata (U.S.N.M. no. 16832, Brookland, Dis- 

 trict OF Columbia). About If x nat. size. 



sixth or fifth row of scales (fig. 42). On the tail they become much 

 narrower. The two series of lateral alternating blotches are narrow, 

 irregular, and commonly fused into a single series in alternation 

 with the blotches of the dorsal row. Small dark spots are often 

 present, posteriorly, between the spots of the lateral series. The 

 belly is vv^hite or yellowish, and checked, scantily or heavily, with 

 dark brown. Large dark individuals often exhibit a lengthwise 

 striping precisely like that described for calligaster (fig. 40), and first 

 observed by Miller in a specimen from Alexandria, Virginia (1902, 36). 



