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BULLETIN 114, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



the north). In the vicinity of New Orleans its range appears to 

 overlap that of its close relative amaura, yet each form preserves its 

 identity.^ 



With the exception of Florida and the vicinity of Raleigh, North 

 Carolina, specimens of elapsoides are not numerous in collections. 

 This must be attributed to lack of collecting in other parts of its 

 range. Thus, although questions of geographic variation can not 



Fig. 59.— Ma-p showing locality records for Lampropeltis elapsoides elapsoides. 



be treated as they should, something may be learned from a com- 

 parison of selected localities. 



' We may at this point, perhaps, best record a most puzzling specimen (Cat. no. 56196, U.S.N.M.) 

 belonging originany to the Hurter collection and labeled "Florida, 1902." In size it resembles an adult 

 triangulum; ventrals, 200, temporals, 2+3+4, and scale rows 19-21-19-17 also suggest triangulum (the 

 only other nearly related Lampropeltis in this region). Perhaps the only structural feature indicating 

 elapsoides is the reduced number of lower labials, eight, on each side. The pattern is most similar to that 

 of virginiana, but the intervals on the belly opposite the dorsal yellow bands are filled vs^th black. There 

 are 18 red areas on the body and tail; the head is mostly red except for a black band across the first dorsal 

 scales and the posterior ends of the parietals. This specimen quite evidently fits no recognized form in 

 the genus nor can it be regarded as the first specimen of a form hitherto unknown, for its characters are 

 apparently not such as could belong to any form theoretically possible in Florida. It Is not, however, 

 inconceivable that a young adult of triangulum might mate with a large adult of elapsoides. Such a coinci- 

 dence could easily explain the make-up of this unusual specimen, and to regard it as such a hybrid is per. 

 haps the best disposal that can be made of It at present. 



