302 
ZOOLOGY. 
MASTICOPHIS TjENIATUS, Baird & Girard. 
Tlie Californian Wliip Snake. 
Leplophis tcmiata, Hallowell, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phil. VI, 1852, p. 181. 
Maslicophis tceniatus, B. & G. Catal. N. Am. Rep. 1853, p. 103.— Bated, P. R. R. Rep. Vol. X, (Beckwith’s Exp.) PI. 
XXIII. 
Sp. Ch. —Dorsal rows 15 ; tail about one-third of the total length. A broad brown dorsal stripe margined by a darker line. 
The four outer rows of scales on each side yellow, with a darker line through the centre of each. A dark line along the edge 
of the abdomen, making six dark lines on each side. Beneath yellowish. 
A young specimen of this species was obtained on Snake river, Oregon Territory. Nothing 
regarding its habits was observed.—S. 
DIAD OPHIS PULCHELLUS, Baird & Girard. 
The Western Ring Snake. 
Diadopliis pulcJiellus, B. & G. Cat. N. Am. Serpents, 1855, p. 115. 
Sp. Cii.—D orsal scales in fifteen rows; occipital ring broad; colors, (in ale.,) above uniform dark greenish brown, beneath 
orange with small black spots irregularly scattered both above and below from head to tail, sometimes wanting. Color of abdo¬ 
men extending on to lateral dorsal scales. 
A living specimen had the following colors: Top of head glossy, of a dark brownish olive 
with a bluish tinge, several of the plates being indistinctly spotted with black. Occipital 
ring deep reddish orange, having a diagonal width of three scales. A band along the back 
eleven scales wide of a slaty brown, rather pale, and with a slight greenish tinge anteriorly; 
posteriorly it becomes more bluish, losing its greenish cast and narrowing on the tail from 
9 to 2 scales in width. Chin, belly, and first two rows of dorsal scales bright, fiery orange. 
This color deepens posteriorly, becoming more red, the sub-caudal scutella being almost the 
color of red sealingwax. A row of black spots on each side, each spot being on the posterior 
edge of the first row of dorsal scales. The abdominal scutellse have two well-marked rows 
of small black spots besides several other partial or irregular rows. All these spots are found 
on the posterior edges of the scales. 
The occipital ring is margined posteriorly by a series of black spots, showing an apparent 
attempt in nature to form a black linear margin. 
This is the only specimen of the genus or the species that I have seen west of the Rocky 
mountains. The natives do not say that it is abundant, and the white settlers have only 
occasionally observed it. Fort Dalles, Oregon Territory, May, 1855.—S. 
CELUTA AMCBNA, B. & G. 
Plate XIX, Fig. 2. 
Ground Snake; Worm Snake. 
Celuta amcena, B. & G. Cat. N. A. Serpents, 1853, p. 129. 
Coluber amcenus, Say, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. IV, 1825, 237.— Hael. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc Philad. V. 18.27, 
355; and Med. & Phys. Res. 1835, 118.— Stoeee, Rep. Rept. Mass. 1839, 226. 
Calamarii amcena , Schl. Ess. Phys. Serp. Part, descr. 1837, 31. PI. i, figs. 19 and 20. 
Brachyorrhos amceus, Home. N. Amer. Herp. Ill, 1842, 115. PI. xxvii. 
Sp. Ch.—A bove uniform chestnut brown, opalescent; light yellow (bright salmon color in life) beneath. Dorsal scales in 13 
rows. 
Western Missouri. 
