ZOOLOGY. 
303 
WENONA PLUMBEA, Baird & Girard. 
Tlie Brown Wood Snake. 
Wenona plumbea, B. & G. Wenona isabdla ? B. & G. Proc. Acad. Sc. Philad. VI, 1852, 176 ; Ibid. Catal. N. A. Reptiles, 
I, 1853, 139, 140.— Gikabd, U. S. Expl. Exp. Herpet. 1858, 112, 113, pi. VII, f. 1-14. 
The distinctness of the above supposed two species is uncertain from the small number of specimens examined. They differ 
in the frontal plates and in the orbitals, but their colors are described as nearly the same, plumbea being lead color above, and 
Isabella light brown ; both yellow beneath, the latter more dull. 
dr 
Not very uncommon at Puget Sound. Specimens appear to unite the characters of the species 
described by Baird and Girard.—S. 
The short, thick, and clumsy form of these snakes, with their small pointed head covered with 
scales like those of the back; very small eye and mouth; numerous small smooth scales, and 
blunt tail, at once distinguish them, though in color they much resemble the 1 ‘ green racer , 1 ’ 
heretofore described, when in its old skin, before changing it in July. 
About June 1, 1855, I obtained a large specimen of the above snake under the loose bark of 
a log, where it seemed to have crawled to escape from the light. It appeared dazzled, and 
did not attempt either to escape or to bite. This snake, though unpleasant in appearance, is 
perfectly harmless, and, like most others, useful in destroying insects and mice. It is the 
nearest representative of the boa constrictor in the United States, but little is known of its 
habits.—C. 
Order IV. BATRACHIA. Soft Skinned Reptiles. 
Tribe I.—Anoura. —Tailless Batrachians. 
BUPO BOREAS, Baird & Girard. 
Bufo boreas, B. & G. Expl. Exped. Herpet. p. 74, pi. VI, fig. 4-9. 
Sp. Ch.—U pper surface of head plane; skin not adhering to the skull, and smooth ; green, with a dorsal yellow vitta ; 
pustules reddish ; beneath of a soiled white, maculated with black. 
Distinguished from B. columbiensis by having the fore arm longer than the hand or arm, both 
pairs of legs longer, and hind foot proportionately longer, and the soles nearly smooth. The 
bright colors above described are those of the young. When alive the colors vary in shade, 
but are similar in pattern in all examined. That best marked has the back olive brown, darker 
posteriorly; tubercles dark brown; spots on legs nearly black, both surrounded by a narrow 
edging of straw yellow, becoming greenish, and mixed with the brown on the sides. The 
dorsal stripe is bright yellow, (wanting in some specimens;) angles of mouth and inner sides of 
thighs yellow also; belly pale brownish white, with black spots posteriorly; iris rich gold color, 
veined with black; canthi black. Another specimen had a brown circle around iris, and green 
lids. 
This toad is abundant west of the Cascade mountains, and has habits similar to those of most 
other true toads, hopping about at dusk after its insect prey; and, although disagreeable to 
many persons, is perfectly harmless and very useful.—C. 
