174 BULLETIN 114, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



by tlie fact tliat ( 1) the pattern is in rings, or, when in blotches of 

 red, there is no ventro-lateral series of dark spots alternating with 

 the dorsal blotches, (2) the head is black with a red snout, instead of 

 red with a posterior black band and various dark-edged light markings 

 between the ^yes, and (3) the number of transverse yellow bands is 

 not commonly above 23; from gentilis it is best known (1) by the 

 smaller number of yellow cross bands, usually not more than 25, 

 (2) by the fact that the black rings show but slight tendency to 

 encroach dorsally upon the red, and (3) the black of the belh^ in 



Fig. 51.— Map showing locality records for Lampropeltis Triangulum amaura. 



gentilis is usually concentrated between the black rings opposite the 

 dorsal red areas, instead of being divided with red, as in amaura. 



Hahitat and habits. — Of the natural history of this form nothing 

 is recorded. 



Range. — As here defined, amaura occupies the southern portion of 

 the Mississippi Yalley, from eastern Mississippi to southern Arkansas, 

 and v/est to about the 97th meridian. 



Tnere are no apparently reliable locality records aside from those 

 included in the accompanying list of specimens. 



Vo.riation and ojfinities. — With this form we must confine ourselves 

 to the discussion of individual variation, since the demonstration of 

 geographic variation is rendered unsatisfactory by the insuflBiciency 



