684 | REPTILES—-COLUBRID&. 
Tropidonotus niger, HOLBROOK. 
Nerodia sipedon, et transversa, BAIRD and GIRARD. 
Tropidonotus fasciatus, var. sipedon, GUNTHER. 
General color above brownish, with three series of darker, more or less distinct, ap- 
proximately quadrilateral blotches, the vertebral row much the larger, covering from 
two to three scales before backwards, and nine to ten scales in width; abdomen 
yellowish, with dark blotches, or a marbling of yellow and brown; the general color is 
sometimes in old specimens so predominant as to render the markings obscure; vertical 
plate pentagonal, nearly or quite as long as commissural line of occipitals, the latter 
truncate behind; upper labials 8, lower 10; anteorbitals 1; postorbitals 3, over the 
commissural line of the fifth and sixth upper labials; inframaxillaries reaching to the 
posterior end of seventh lower labial; dorsa! scales in 23, rarely 25, rows; gastrosteges 
137-145 ; urosteges 60-80; body attaining a large size; tail short. 
The young of this species show the coloration very decidedly; a light line reachin 
back from the posterior edge of, and two light spots upon the occipitals; head also 
variously marked or marbled with lighter. Length, 2% feet; head, 14 inches; tail, 74 
inches; transverse diameter of head, 2 inch; of neck, 9-16 inch; circumference of body 
44 inches. 
Habitat, Canada, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Vir- 
ginia, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Upper Missouri, ‘‘ Louisiana and 
Mexico.” 
In the State, as in the extralimital part of its range, Tropidonotus 
sipedon is the commonest aquatic snake. It may be seen along the shores 
of ponds, and streams, and upon logs, basking in ‘the sun. It is found 
only in wet places, and when disturbed takes to water and glides 
rapidly away. Although a formidable looking animal, the Water 
Snake is destitute of poison fangs, and perfectly harmless. 
De re oer me RT a eo ER A RE LE RR A NN | I AE EEE 
TROPIDONOTUS FASCIATUS Linneseus. 
Coluber fasciatus, LINNEUS, DAUDIN, HOLBROOK. 
Coluber porcatus, HARLAN. 
Tropidonotus fasciatus, HOLBROOK, DEKAY, DUMERIL and BiBRON, GUNTHER. 
Nerodia fasciata, BATRD and GIRARD. 
? Coluber porcatus, KIRTLAND. 
General color brown above, with transverse dark spots in the young; sides with from 
30-38 sub-triangular red patches; abdomen reddish-white, with dark blotches; head 
broader behind, and more triangular than Tropidonotus sipedon ; vertical plate pentagonal, 
broader in front than behind ; upper labials 8, lower 9; anteorbitals 1; dorsal scales in 
23 rows, the exterior as well as the others carinated; gastrosteges 128-233; urosteges: 
40-75, 
Habitat, South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Mexico, Central America. 
Dr. Kirtland refers the Coluber porcatus to Ohio, ana states that it is found upon the 
shores of rivers and creeks, and that it was popularly confounded with Tropidonotus 
sipedon, under the name of Water Snake. I have not seen it from the State, and think. 
owing to its southern range, that his identification was probably erroneous. 
