CCXX COLUBRIDiE. KEPTILES. CROCODILIDa:. 
COMMON GREEN SNAKE {Chlorosoma vernalis, B. 
SMALL BROWN SNAKE [Storeria dekayi, B. and 
and G.) — Called Grass Snake in the Northern 
G.) — 'I'his is 'L’ropidonotus of Holbrook, a small 
States. It inhabits from Massachusetts to Pennsyl- 
gray-colored form, with minute spots of black along 
vania. Oontia is a genus of Baird and Girard, con- 
its upper parts. Another species is the S. occi- 
taining- one species, 0. niitis, California. 
pi to maculata, which is found from New York to 
RING-NECK SNAKE [DiadopUs punctatus, B. 
the Gulf States. 
and G.)- — ^Called, also, the Little Black and Red 
Snake. Habitat, from Maine to Florida. D. ama- 
Family— BOIDHll. 
bilis is found in California ; D. docilis, Texas ; D. 
pulchellus, California; D. regalis, Mexico. Lodia 
'I'he characteristics of this family are seen in the 
tenuis, li. and G., is a form inhabiting Puget’s Sound. 
presence of rudiments of hinder limbs, or spur-like 
It is Calamaria tenuis of B. and G. Sonora semi- 
appendages, situated near the anus. Both jaws are 
annulata, B. and G., is a genus found in Mexico. 
provided with teeth. 'I’wo genera are known in 
THE SCARLET SNAKE (Bhmostoma coccinea, B. 
North America : AVenona and Chari iia. 'I’he former 
and G., Holb.) is an exceedingly richly colored 
is distinguished by its small head, which is conical 
Snake, inhabiting the Gulf States. Rhinocheilus 
and slightly swollen on the temporal region, though 
lecontei is a species found by Leconte in San 
not separated from the body by a contracted neck. 
Diego, California. 
The snout protrudes beyond the lower jaw. 'J’here 
BROWN SNAKE [Haldea striatula, B. and (?.)— 
are numerous small scales or shields on the temporal 
Habitat, Virginia to South Carolina and Gulf States. 
region. 'I’he tail is rather short, stout and blunt. 
HORN SNAKE [Farancia abacurus, B. and G ) — 
LEAD-COLORED WENONA (Wenona plumbea, B. 
Coluber, Holbrook. Called also Red-Bellied Snake. 
and G.) — Inhabits Puget’s Sound. Wenona isabella. 
Habitat, Gulf States. Abastor erythrogratnmus. 
another species, is found in the same region. 'I’he 
Gray, is found in the Gulf States. Virginia valeriae. 
genus Charina has one species, which much resembles 
B. and G. Habitat, Southern States. 
the preceding. 
WORM SNAKE [Celuta amana, B. and G .) — 
Called, also, Ground Snake. Habitat, from Pennsyl- 
Family— TYPHLOPID^. 
vania to Gulf States. Tantilla embraces two species, 
coronata and gracilis. Southern States. 
'I’he characters of this family are : 'I’eeth only in 
THE ELAPSOID OSCEOLA (Osceola elapsoidea, B. 
one jaw, either the upper or lower; the upper jaw 
and G.) is a remai kably beautiful little creature, being 
strongly projecting; scales on the belly instead of 
a bright scarlet in color, with rings of jet black. 
scutellse. disposed in several series like those on the 
divided with rings of white. It is hardly more than 
upper surface. 'I’wo genera are known to North 
six inches in length. Habitat, Southern States. 
America; Rena and Opthalmidion. 
Order — CROCODILIA, 
'I’his order is composed of forms which are 
arranged in two families, the Crocodiles and Alii- 
Family— ALLIGATORIDJE. 
gators. The shape of the head is the most appar- 
THE ALLIGATOR [Alligator mississippiensis) — 
ent distinctive mark between the two, the muzzle of 
Plate 8, fig. 7. — A familiar reptile in the warmer 
the former being much narrower behind the nostrils. 
parts of America. 'I’he term Alligator is a corrup- 
'I’hat of the Alligator forms a straight line. Other 
tion of the Spanish el lagarto, a Lizard. 'I'his 
anatomical differences are noticed. The Gavial, or 
species is especially abundant in the fresh-water 
Crocodile of the Ganges, is an enormous creature. 
streams of Florida. It is usually seen about six or 
sometimes reaching thirty feet in length. 'I'he 
seven feet in length ; occasionally twice that length 
Crocodile of the Nile is also a formidable example. 
is attained. A fine specimen in the American 
Family— CRO COD ILID^E. 
Museum at Central Park, New York, is twelve feet 
in length. 'I’he term Caiman is used to distinguish 
THE AMERICAN CROCODILE [Crocodilus acuius). 
this species in some places, and also Pike-muzzled 
— C. americanus of some authors. 'I’his reptile is 
Cayman. Holbrook records one as thirteen and a 
common in the waters of the West Indies, and with- 
half feet in length. 'I’he Alligator is extremely vora- 
in a few years has been found inhabiting the bays 
cious in its native state, and feeds on all animal food 
or inlets in Southern Florida. A specimen pro- 
that it can reach, not hesitating to attack man or 
cured from the latter locality, measuring fourteen 
beast. 'I'he term Jacare is applied to forms found in 
feet in length, is in the Smithsonian Institutioi!. A 
the South American waters and in the West Indies. 
distinguishing feature of the Crocodile is the fitting 
Five species are known. 'I’he especial characteristic 
of the lower canine-teeth into a notch in the edge of 
of this genus is a prominent ridge across the face in 
the upper jaw. 'The muzzle is strikingly narrow, as 
front of the eyes. 'I’hese creatures all construct 
compared with that of the Alligator. The toes are 
sand hillocks, wherein to deposit their eggs, the sun 
also webbed to the tip. 
hatching them in about thirty days. 
A 
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