28 
Transactions Texas Academy of Science. 
chestnut-brown band extends from the eye to the neck. The frontal 
region is deeper brown than the vertex. A yellowish white line starts 
from the nostrils near the upper surface of the head, extending back- 
ward, in passing between the e}^e and the pit, to the angle of the mouth. 
A vertical whitish bar extends from each side of the pit to the labial. 
The belly is yellowish white, mottled with black, transversely oblong 
patches. The vertical plate (frontal) is cordiform; the anterior frontal 
plates (internasals) proportionately small; the occipital (parietal) 
rather broad. The scales of the body are elongated, a little smaller than 
in C. miliarius, but not quite so acute posteriorly. The two lateral and 
smooth rows are much broader than the rest, and conspicuous. Most of 
the scales of these two rows are black, with the posterior edge straw- 
colored, giving the appearance of a succession of distinct crescents. The 
tail is conical and tapering; the rattle composed of one ring besides the 
terminal one. (Stejneger, “Poisonous Snakes of North America.”) 
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 
“It was described by Baird and Girard from a single specimen collected 
at Indianola, Texas, which now appears to be lost.” (Stejneger, Report 
Nat. Museum, 1893, p. 415.) 
It is not mentioned by Dr. E. D. Cope in the report of the National 
Museum, 1898. 
A line specimen, collected at Victoria, Victoria County, Texas, by Dr. 
Crouse, has been identified by Dr. Stejneger, of the National Museum, 
as belonging to this species. The specimen is now in the Public School 
Museum at Victoria. Little is known of its range. 
HABITS. 
Nothing is known of its habits. They are possibly similar to those of 
S. Catenatus. 
SISTRIJRUS CATENATES EDWARDSII, B. and G. 
(Edward’s Massasauga.) 
Plate IV. 
DESCRIPTION. 
“Twenty-three rows of dorsal scales; first and second lateral rows 
smooth. Vertical plate (frontal) subpentagonal, tapering posteriorly. 
Lateral rows of blotches proportionately very small. The ground color 
is yellowish brown, with three lateral series of deep chestnut-brown 
