APR 1 8 1931

/ 'y. f-^- )

Batrael^iaps apd I^eptiles

-OF- THE-

State of Indiana.

— = BV =

OLIVER PERRY HflY, Pfc. P.

INDIANAPOLIS:

WM. B. BCBFOBD, PRINTBR AND BINDKB.

1893.

THE

BATRACHIANS AND REPTILES

STATE OF INDIANA.

OLIUFR PERRY HAY. A. n., Ph. D.

INDIANAPOLIS:

WM. B. BURFORD, PRINTER AND BINDER.
1892

PREFACE.

The Batrachia and Reptilia of the State of Indiana form the sulijects
of the following pages. In the body of this work I have endeavored to
include all the species known to inhabit the State, and to exclude all
that are not known to occur within our limits. Since, however, there
are several species which are, judging from their geographical distribu-
tion, likely hereafter to be taken within the State, I have added their
names in an appendix.

Of all the species mentioned in this paper I have given as accurate
descriptions as I have been able to prepare ; and I have endeavored to
state also the most important facts known regarding their habits. It is to
be hoped that this endeavor will incite others to study our lower vertebrates
with respect to their manner of life, since too little is known about even
the commonest species.

I am indebted to many friends for aid in preparing this work, so many
that I can not here mention all their names. Under each species I have
tried to give due credit for specimens and notes. I must here, however,
acknowledge the liberality of Dr. Leonhard Stejneger, Curator of Rep-
tiles in the National Museum, Washington, D. C, in giving me free
access to the large collections there ; also* the kindness of Prof. B. W.
Evermann, who allowed me to examine a considerable collection made by
himself, mostly in the vicinity of Terre Haute. This collection is the
property of the State Normal School. To Prof. S. S. Gorby I owe the op-
portunity to examine the specimens in the State Museum. Some years
ago I had occasion to study a collection made at New Harmony by the
late Mr. James Sampson, of that place. For the opportunity of doing this
I am indebted to Prof. John CoUett. The writings of Agassiz, Cope and
other naturalists have been consulted in the earnest desire to obtain
a correct idea of our batrachian and reptilian fauna. Nevertheless, I
have at times doubtless fallen into error.

8

The following is a summary of the species of each group known to
occur in Indiana :

Tailed Batrachians 18 species.

Tailless Batrachians 12 species.

Total Batrachians 30 species.

Snakes 28 species.

Lizards . 5 species.

Turtles 18 species.

Total Keptiles 51 species.

Total of both classes '81 sfecies.

The Author.
Irvington, Ind., Sept. 1, 1892.

THE BATRACHIANS AND THE REPTILES OF INDIANA.

On the part of people who have not made a scientific study of aniiiials
no distinction is made between the group of creatures here called Batra-
ehians aud that group called Reptiles. The amphiuma and the snakes,
the salamanders and the lizards, the common toad and the turtles are all
called "reptiles." Nor is this strange when we consider how closely
members of both groups resemble one another in outward form and in
habits. It is indeed only recently that zoologists, who endeavor to found
their systems on more important differences than appear on the outside,
have agreed to regard the frogs, salamanders, and newts, as fundament-
ally different from the lizards, turtles, and snakes. In reality, the ba-
trachians are more closely related to the fishes than to the reptiles, while
the latter are more nearly akin to the birds The batrachians form a
class standing intermediate between the class of fishes and the class of
reptiles.

Nevertheless, since zoologists have almost universally associated the
two classes in their works, and since people do not usually distinguish
the one kind of animals from the other, they are here described together.

The batrachians differ from the reptiles in several important respects.
The skin of the former is usually smooth and moist, sometimes raised up
into warts, as in the toads, but never disposed in overlapping scales or
regular plates. Scales and plates, such as are seen in the lizards and
snakes, and tortoises, are almost universal among the reptiles No In-
diana reptile is without such a covering, except our soft-shelled turtles.
The life-history of the members of the two groups is also widely diflferent.
The batrachians almost always lay their eggs in the water, and the young
pass their early days there as tadpoles. They respire by means of gills
until the time of their metamorphosis approaches, when lungs are de-
veloped, the gills are absorbed, and the animal leaves the water and
lives to a greater or less extent on the land. Reptiles, on the contrary,
lay their eggs on land, the young are hatched with the form of the
adults, and they never have gills. A few batrachians retain their gills
life-long, breathing both by means of these and their lungs. Other dif-
ferences exist, but since their determination would require dissections,
they are not thought suitable for consideration in a work of this kind.

Siuce the auimals liereiu described are a source of discomfort and
alarm to many people, it may be well to say here that of all the ba-
trachians aud reptiles known to inhabit Indiana, but four, the yellow-
banded rattlesnake, the prairie rattlesnake, the coral snake, aud the
copperhead, are poisonous. It is possible that the poisonous southern
moccasin, or cottonmouth, may yet be found in the southwestern part
of the State ; if so, we shall have five poisonous species, and five
only.

Key to the Classes.

A. Skin usually smooth and soft, sometimes rough aud warty,
never forming scales that overlap or are arranged in regular
rows ; eggs usually laid in the water and giving origin to
tadpoles. (Water-dogs, salamanders, frogs and toads.)

Batrachia, p. 5.

A A. Skin usually having epidermal scales or large regular plates ;
these usually arranged in a regular manner, often ovei'lap-
ping. -Eggs laid on land. Young with form of adults.
(Snakes, lizards, turtles, alligators, etc.) Reijtilia, p. 73.

BATRACHIA.

The Batrachia include a great variety of animals that are found living
in all except the coldest parts of the earth and the salt water. As al-
ready stated, they are, with rare exceptions, hatched in the water,
where they spend at least a portion of their lives. A few forms retain
their gills throughout, life, and seldom or never leave the water. In a
few cases the eggs are laid on the land, under sticks and stones ; the
young from such eggs may have very rudimentary gills and consequently
never enter the water. Such species closely approach, in their habits,
the reptiles. The gills may be either internal or external ; usually they
are of the latter kind. The external gills are attached to processes of
the skin, and not to the branchial arches. The internal gills of the tad-
poles or frogs grow out from the branchial arches, as in fishes.

The skin of the batrachians is richly provided Avith glands. These
secrete a milky fluid, which is often acrid, and sometimes poisonous to
the enemies of the species producing it. It thus serves as a means of
defense to these animals, which are otherwise almost helpless. Often
the glands are collected into groups, as in the case of those on the back
of the head of the common toad. In some species the skin forms a fin
■on the upper and lower sides of the tail ; but in such fins there are no
rays, such as are found in the fins of fishes.

6

When limbs are present they have the same skeletal elements as the
limbs of reptiles and mammals. Some batrachians are devoid of limbs.
All of our species have the anterior limbs present ; most of them have
also the posterior pair. The anterior limbs never have more than four
fingers ; the posterior may have five toes.

Not much can be said here regarding the skeleton. The vertebrae are
usually either amphicoelous or opisthocoelous. Ribs are often absent ;
when present they do not connect with a sternum below. In the lower
forms as many as four branchial arches may be present ; in the higher
species the number is reduced. There may be teeth on the maxillaries,
premaxillaries, vomers, and dentaries ; more rarely on the palatines,
the pterygoids and the splenials. A band of teeth may be found in
some cases supported by the parasphenoid. The teeth are almost al-
ways very simple in structure, pointed, and grown fast to the support-
ing bones.

Breathing is effected in the adult by drawing the air into the mouth
thi'ough the nostrils, then closing these, contracting the cavity of the
mouth, and thus forcing the air into the lungs. Hence, a frog may be
suffocated by holding its mouth open.

For additional information on the anatomy of the Batrachia the
student should consult Prof. Huxley's article, ^'Amphibia," in the En-
cyclopedia Britanica; also for the Urodela, Dr. R. Wiedersheim's work,
' ^ Kopfskelet der Urodelen."

The living species of Batrachia have been divided by Prof. E. D. Cope
(51, 13) into four orders, viz: Proteida (Necturtis), Urodela, Trachy-
stomaia (Siren), and Salientia. I prefer here to retain the genera Nee-
turus, j^roteus and Siren under the Urodela.

Key to the Orders of Batrachia

A. Limbs present or absent; when present, the hinder pair not much
more strongly developed than the anterior. Tail developed or
not ; present in all our species. Animals fitted for creeping on
or burrowing in the earth or for swimming in the water.

Urodela, p. 6.

AA All four limbs present and the hinder pair greatly developed.
Tail wholly absent in the adult Animal, when on land, usu-
ally progressing by leaping. Salientia, p. 48.

Order URODELA. '

Batrachia having a lizard-like, eel-like, or serpent-like form. All limbs,
as well as the supporting girdles, absent in the extralimital Cceeilidce. At
least the fore limbs and the shoulder girdle present in all our forms ; and
usually also the hinder limbs. Posterior limbs never conspicuously

larger thau the anterior. Proximal elements of the tarsus not elongated.
Vertebra) numerous, at least 14 in front of the sacrum; these either am-
phicwlous or opisthoccelous Ribs present, short. Maxilla present in
all except j^ccturus and Siren. Teeth present on maxillaries, vomero-pal-
atines, and on the dentaries, except in Siren. No tympanic cavities or
eustachian tubes. Cloaca opening externally by a longitudinal slit.

The Urodela include about 133 species, distributed principally north
of the equator. North America furnishes 54 species, 18 of which, at
least, are found in Indiana.

The order as here defined contains 10 families. Of these, two, the
Coecilidffi and the Thoriidse, are not natives of North America.

Key to the N. A. Families of Urodela.

A. Maxillary bone wanting. External gills present at all times of
life.
a. Body eel-like. No posterior limbs. Sirenidce, p. 8.

aa. Body lizarddke. Two pairs of limbs. Proteidce, p. 10.

AA. Maxillary bone present. No gills in the adult state. All four
limbs present.
a. Body extremely elongated. Both pairs of limbs very rudi-
mentary. Amphiunmhe, p. 12.
aa. Body lizard- like. Anterior and posterior limbs well devel-
oped.
b. A branchial slit on each side of the neck. Vomero-pa-
latine teeth close to and parallel with those of the
pre maxillaries and maxillaries.

CryptobranchidK , p. 15.
bb. No branchial slits on the side of the neck. Vomero-
palatine teeth considerably behind the premaxillary
teeth,
c. Parasphenoidal teeth present, forming two brush-
like bands along the roof of the mouth.

Plethodontidce, p. 31.
cc. No parasphenoidal teeth.

e. Vomero-palatine teeth in a transverse row be-
tween, or just behind, the choarij?e.

Ambystomatid(e, p. 17.
ee. Vomero-palatines in two longitudinal rows
along roof of the naoutb, on two prolonga-
tions backward of the vomers.

Salamandridce, p. 44.

Family I. SIRENID.E.

Body elongated, eel-like. Posterior limbs wanting ; the anterior mod-
erately developed, with three or four fingers. External gills present
during whole of life. One to three branchial slits on each side of the
neck. Premaxillaries and dentaries without teeth, and covered with a
horny sheath. Teeth on the splenials. Vomers provided v/ith teeth,
which form two converging patches on the roof of the mouth. No maxil-
laries present. Contains two genera, each embracing a single species,
both confined to North America.

Key to the Genera of Sirenidce.

A. Fingers four ; branchial slits usually three. Siren, p. 8.

AA. Fingers three ; branchial slit one. Pseudobranchus.

Pseudobranchus has not been found north of Georgia and Florida.

Genus SIRE5T, Linnwus.

Siren, Linureus, 1765, 95; i, 311; Boulenger, 1882, 28, 86; Cope,
1889, 51, 225.

Hand with four fingers. Jaws with horny sheath. Vomerine patches
of teeth broad. Tongue broad, free in front. External gills and branchial
slits, three. Eyes distinct, but without lids.

Siren lacertina, Linn.

Mud-eel. Siren.

Siren lacertina, Linnreus, 1765, 95, i, 311; Holbrook, 1842, 5i, v. 101,
pi. 34; Boulenger, G. A., 1882, 28, 87; Cope, E. D., 1889, 51, 226;
Barton, B. S., 1821, ^0.

Body long, slender, nearly cylindrical ; about twelve times as long as
the head is broad. Head flat above, sides tapering to the blunt snout,
which overhangs the mouth. Gill slits three. External gills three
pairs ; but these appear to be abortive in the young up to six inches in
length. Eyes small, without eyelids. Premaxillaries distinct, toothless,
covered with a black horny sheath. Vomers and palatines distinct, each
with several rows of small teeth. Dentaries also toothless, and covered
with a black horny sharp-edged sheath. Teeth on splenials (just below
hinder ends of dentary sheath). Tongue free on sides and in froat.

Anterior limbs well developed, short, furnished with four digits each.
No trace of hinder liml5s. Body and tail crossed by numerous furrows ;
about thirty of these from fore legs to vent. Tail compressed, with a fin
above and below ; its length somewhat more than one-third the total
length, terminating in a sharp point.

Color a bluish black, paler below. Sides of head sometimes with a
yellow baud from muzzle to gills.

The length attained may be as great as thirty to forty inches.

Distribution from North Carolina west to Mexico, and up the Missis-
sippi Valley to Alton, 111., aud Lafayette, lud.

Indiana localities: New Harmony (Sampson's coll.); Mt. Carmel,
(Nat. Mus. coll.); Terre Haute (B. W. Evermaun) ; Lafayette (S. Coul-
ter) ; Washington, Daviess County (C, H. Gilbert).

Habits. — One of the earliest and best accounts that we have of the
habits of this curious animal was given by Dr. B. S. Barton, of Phila-
delphia, in a letter addressed to John Gottlob Schneider, the author of
" Historia Amphibiorum." Schneider and some other authors supposed
that the Siren was only the larva of some yet undiscovered salamander.
Barton argues against this notion with ability. He states that the favor-
ite resorts of the Siren are the rice ponds and the adjacent muddy
grounds. It sometimes attains a length of 20, 30, or even 40 inches.
Where it abounds it is, according to Barton, called "Alligator" and
" Water-lizard." He kept one for almost a year, aud experimented with
it. During this time, it underwent little or no change in either size or
condition of its branchiae. While in the water, the gills are incessantly
in motion. The animal appears to depend only partially on its gills for
oxygen, since various observers have noted its coming frequently to the
surface for air. Barton says that in warm weather it comes to the surface
every five minutes, while in colder weather it comes up about every fifteen
minutes. It has the power to remain under water for more than an hour
at least. It appears to spend a good portion of its time burrowing in the
mud of swamps. Barton thinks that it sometimes travels overland,
although its movements on land are slow. An earlier observer, Garden,
who corresponded with Linnteus, declares that the Siren may crawl up
on the trunks and limbs of fallen trees, likewise that it sings with a
querulous voice similar to that of a young duck. This idea gave origin
to the name Siren. It possibly emits a shrill, somewhat hissing tone like
that of the Amphiuma. Barton appears to think that the Sireii can take
water into the mouth through the nostrils ; an interesting observation in
view of the fact that some salamanders do the same as a means of breath-
ing. Cope (51, 224) has recorded his observ^ation that in small specimens
the branchice are rudimentary and apparently functionless, and that it is
only in the adult individuals that the gills are fully developed.

Linupeus affirms that the Siren lives on serpents which it catches and
holds with its strong teeth. Barton doubts this, but considering the
great voracity of the Batrachia in general, and the large size reached by
some of the Sirens, it appears quite reasonable. Their teeth, however,
-are not " sti'ong." Barton fed his specimen on angleworms, pieces of

10

meat, etc. It takes its food with "inconceivable rapidity." It can en-
dure hunger for long periods. The one kept by Barton was exposed for
several days in water at a temperature of 33° or 34° F , and for a few
hours was " locked up, as it were, in the ice."

Holbrook {5Jf, v. 101) says that this animal lives chiefly in the niud»
but this they sometimes leave and take to the water, in which they swim
with great swiftness. He says too that they are sometimes found on the
land, but he did not know why they go there.

So far as I am aware, nothing is known concerning the breeding habits
of this species. It is so rare in our State that few opportunities are likely
to be offered to any observer to study such habits. This will have to be
done in the South, where it abounds. I have not seen mention made of
specimens having been found of less than three inches in length. Speci-
mens of this size are very desirable.

Family II. PKOTEIDJE.

Body lizard-like in form ; limbs, four ; external gills, three pairs,
present during whole of life ; maxillaries, absent ; teeth on premaxilla-
ries, vomers, palato-pterygoids, and dsntaries.

Only the genus Necturus is found in North America. Proteus is an in-
habitant of the subterranean waters of Austria.

Genus NECTUKUS, Rafinesque.

Rafinesque, 1819, 97, 417; Boulenger, 1882, 28, 84; Cope, 1889,
51, 23.

Fingers 4 ; toes 4 ; permanent branchial slits 2 jiairs ; eyes exposed ;
tongue large ; vomero-palatine teeth strong, in a single row ; tail broad
and compressed.

Premaxillary teeth 11-15 ; vomerines 12-16 ; spotted.

macidatus, p. 10.
Premaxillary teeth 6-8 ; vomerines 8-9 ; no spots. N. C. , S. C.

punctatus.

Necturus maculatus, Eaf.

Water-Dog ; Gilled Salammider.

Necturus maculatus, Rafinesque, 1819, 97, 417 ; Boulenger, 1892,
2S, 84; Cope, E. D., 1889, 51, 23, with figures.

Triton lateralis, Say, 1823, i^, 5.

Menobranchiis lateralis, Harlan, 1825, 62, i, 221 ; Holbrook, 1842, 5^,
115, pi. 88.

Necturus lateralis, Wagler, 1830, 75, 210.

Body moderately elongated, thick, cylindrical or moderately de-
pressed, and with a distinct dorsal groove. Head broad and flat. Snout

11

rounded. Labial folds well developed. A distiuctgular fold. Eyes small.
The two series of teeth in the upper jaw near to, and parallel with, one
another. Preraaxillary series short; the voraero-palatine series extending
back to the corner of the mouth. The mouth is large and extends back-
ward to under the eyes. Nostrils in the edge of the lips. Head con-
tained in the distance to the vent about five times ; three-fourths as wide
as long. Costal folds usually 14. Tail broad and compressed, one-third
the total length. Limbs well developed. Digits 4-4.

Skin smooth and furnished with numerous follicles.

Color ashy brown, palest below, and more or less mottled and spotted
with blackish, especially above. Young specimens with a lateral dark
band from the snout to the tail. Gills bushy, and in life bright red.

Prof. Cope (51, 26) mentions specimens from Ontario which were en-
tirely black.

This species reaches a length of 24 inches or more.

This is a widely distributed animal in Eastern North America, and iij
places it is very abundant. It is recorded from the territory extending
from Montreal to Alabama, west to Wisconsin, Kansas, W. Arkansas,
and Louisiana.

It will no doubt be found in all parts of Indiana, but it is very common
in the numerous lakes of the northern portion of the State. I have
record of it from Lafayette (S. Coulter) ; Mt. Carmel, 111. (National
Museum) ; New Harmony (Sampson's coll.) ; Monroe County (Ind. Unv.
coll.); Franklin County (Hughes). J have found it common at Lake
Maxinkuckee, Marshall County. Prof. Blatchley reports it as very com-
mon at Terre Haute. Of 19 specimens sent me by Prof Evermann more
than half had the gills very short or almost wholly gone.

Habits. — This species appears to be wholly aquatic, although it does
not depend on its gills entirely for the oxygen that it consumes. It has
been observed to come to the surface for air ; and its gills are sometimes
missing, 'as though nibbled off. In such cases breathing must be accom-
plished by other means. They have quite well developed lungs, which
some observers have artificially inflated. The animal has seldom been
observed to go on land. {5^, loc. cit.) In the water they progress either
by creeping along on the bottom or by swimming. The swimming is ac-
complished mainly by strokes of the large flat tail, and their progress is
rapid. They are, for the most part, nocturnal in their habits.

The food of the Water dog consists of insects, crustaceans, worms and
mollusks. They are frequently taken on the hooks of fishermen. They
will, no doubt, be found to be willing to eat almost anything that can
serve as food. They are not acceptable game to the fishermen, since the
latter regard them as very poisonous, and dislike to handle the creatures.
This notion is an erroneous one ; but a nip by their sharp and strong teeth
would no doubt be somewhat painful. Drs. Wilder and Barnard (33, 8,.

12

438) cooked and ate one, and reported it as excellent. The animal
might, therefore, possibly be made useful, if people could overcome their
prejudices.

The Water-dog has the power of enduring long periods of cold and
hunger. Kneelaud reports having specimens for three months in water
that froze more or less every night.

Dr. C. O. Whitman states that the egg of Nedurus is about the size of
a pea, and, unlike the eggs of most batrachians, it has no pigment to
obscure the processes of development. It forms an admirable object for
the study of batrachian development.

Large numbers of the Nectunis are found in the streams emptying into
Lake Michigan and along the shores of the lake. At Ecorse, Michigan,
2,000 were taken in a minnow seine at one haul. It is stated that some
of these were so gorged with white fish spawn that when they were
thrown on shore the spawn flew out of their mouths. Another man,
according to Professor J. W. Milner (Report of the United States Fish
Commission, 1872-3, p. 62), had out, at Evanston, Illinois, 900 fish-
hooks, and from these, in one day, he took bOO of the "lizards."
Milner states that they make no more attempt to'bite than does a frog.
A full series was collected from the Detroit River of specimens ranging
from an inch and a half to full grown. About the middle of July eggs
were taken.

Family III. AMPHIUMIDiE.

Body elongated and eel-like. Limbs two pairs, feebly developed.
No external gills in adult stage. Tail well developed. Skull long and
narrows Maxillaries large, directed backward, toothed. Premaxillaries
united. Vomero-palatines narrow, directed backward nearly parallel
with axis of head. No true ethmoid. •

A family containing a single genus.

Genus AMPHIUMA, Garden.

Amphivma, Garden, 1821, 9S, i, 599 ; Boulenger, 1882, 28, 82 ; Cope,
1889, 51, 215.

Limbs very feebly developed ; digits two or three on each. A single
branchial slit on each side the neck. Teeth of maxillary and vomero-
palatine in two parallel, backwardly directed series along each upper
jaw. Premaxillaries united ; developed from a single center ; sending
back two strong processes, one in roof of mouth, the other between
nasals and frontals on the upper surface of the snout.

Contains but a single species, confined to North America.

13

Amphiuma Means, Ciarden.
Amphiuma; Congo Snake.

Gardeu, loc. cit. Holbrook, 1842, 54, 5, 89, pi. 30; Bouleuger, 1«82,
38, 83 ; Cope, 1889, 51, 216, with figures.

Body long aud eel-like. Head narrower and more pointed than is
usual among the batrachians. A single gill-slit on each side. Eyes
extremely small, barely seen through the skin. Maxillary and vomero-
palatiue teeth forming four nearly parallel rows in the roof of the mouth.
No external gills in the adults. Fore and hind limbs present, extremely
feeble in development. Digits on each somewhat variable, usually two
or three. Length of head (snout to gill-cleft), in length from snout to
vent about ten times. Tail about one-fourth the total length, com-
pressed, slender and pointed. Skin everywhere smooth.

Color dark slaty or reddish brown, paler below. Lower jaw aud
edge of upper lip yellowish.

The amphiuma may reach a length of three feet. It is found from
the Carolinas west to Louisiana. The author has taken it at Little
Rock, Arkansas, and has seen a specimen in the National Museum at
' Washington which was taken at Jefferson ville, Indiana, by Mr. George
Spangler. The specimen is fifteen inches long and was received at the
Museum March 25, 1880. Careful observations along the Ohio and
Wabash Rivers will no doubt result in bringing additional specimens of
this interesting animal to light.

This, like the Siren, appears to be a mud-loving species. Its whole
structure appears to adapt it to burrowing about in the mud at the
bottoms of creeks and rivers and ditches. Its head is long and pointed,
and the bones of the skull firmly bound together, as if to render the head
the point of a drill. The first instinct of the animal, when put into any
vessel, seems to be to burrow out of sight. This habit of burrowing in
mud has been observed ever since the discovery of the creature. Har-
lan (55, 86) speaks of them as " burrowing in the mud in swamps, or in
the vicinity of streams, where it searches for its food and hibernates,
occasionally visiting the dry land." Other specimens are spoken of as
having been found several feet beneath the recent alluvial deposit, under
the decayed trunk of a ti-ee. The same author {30, 188) states that he
had been informed that " they are sometimes discovered two or three feet
under mud of the consistency of mortar, in which they burrow like
worms, as was instanced in digging near a street in Pensacola, when great
numbei'S were thrown up during the winter season."

The food of this animal consists of a variety of aquatic animals. Har-
lan says that in the stomach of some were found small fishes and beetles.
Holbrook adds to their diet small mollusks.

14

Both Harlan and Holbrook note the habit possessed by this animal of
leaving the water occasionally, but the purpose of so doing was not
known. No doubt it passes from one water to another in this way, since
in can creep readily and does not depend on the water for respiration.

The writer has had the opportunity of studying the breeding habits of
the Amphiuma. At Little Rock, Ark. , on the first of September, a female
was found lying in a small excavation underneath a fallen tree trunk in
a cypress swamp. The tree was at a considerable distance from any
water. Her body was disposed in a coil, in the midst of which was a
mass of eggs. In these eggs were young so far advanced that they would
soon doubtless have been excluded. The young, which constituted the
whole contents of the eggs, were surrounded by a transparent capsule
about as thick as writing paper. The eggs were a little more than a third
of an inch in diameter, and were connected by a cord of substance simi-
lar to that of the capsule itself. This cord varied in length from a fifth
to a half inch. There appeared to be two strings in the mass, but of this
I was not certain. The whole mass of eggs resembled closely a string of
large beads. Of the eggs there were probably about 150.

Within the eggs the young were coiled in a spiral. Their length is
something less than two inches. Each had three pairs of conspicuous
gills, and, since they were evidently nearly ready to hatch, it is probable
that they would retain the gills for awhile after entering the water. The
gills consisted of a main stem, from which were given off" eight or ten
branches. Three gill-slits remained open. The eyes appeared to better
advantage than they do in the adults. Though the gill slits are probably
present in the just hatched animal, they certainly do not remain long,
since Harlan mentions Q39, 189) having received specimens of only three
inches in length that did not exhibit the least appearance of gills.

Not only does the amphiuma exhibit to a remarkable degree, for so low
a creature, the maternal instinct, but it is an animal of a good measure
of spirit. Dr. Shufeldt {50, 2, 163,) experimented somewhat with the
living animal. Into the vessel containing the amphiuma he threw a
dead snake. This the amphiuma seized quickly with its jaws and extend-
ing itself, began to whirl ai'ound rapidly in the water. After the snake
had been released, it was again thrown to the amphiuma, and the
movements were repeated. When the dead ophidian was presented to
the amphiuma the third time no attention was given it. While the
female that I captured was still alive, I placed her on a floor and
poked her a little with a stick. This she seized, and springing from the
floor, she whirled round and round in a spiral form and turned the
stick in my hand unless I held it tightly.

These animals are remarkable for the size of their blood corj^uscles,
the largest furnished by any vertebrated animal, since they can be seen

15

by the naked eye. The number of their vertebra; is also worthy of re-
mark, there being altogether about 110, of which sixty-five lie in front
of the sacrum.

Family IV. CRYPTOBRANCHID^.

Form salamandriue. Head broad and depressed, mouth wide.
Limbs four, well developed. Tail broad and compressed. Teeth on
the anterior edge of vomers, concentric with those of premaxillaries and
maxillaries, but not extending so far back as latter. No teeth on par-
asphenoids.

Contains two living genera, 3fegalobatracJms of Japan, three feet long,
and the following :

Genus CRYPTOBRANCHUS, Leuckart.

GnjptobYanchm, Leuckart, 1821, 77, 260; Boulenger, 1882, ^6", 81 ;
Cope, 1889, 51, 37 ; Menopoma, Harlan, 1825, 62, 221.

Tongue large, free in front One gill-slit on each side. Four
branchial arches. Maxillary row of teeth extending back to angle of
mouth ; the vomerine to choante ; the two series lying close together.

Tongue free in front ; its upper surface w4th folds.

alleghaniensis, p. 15.
Tongue not free ; its upper surface with large papillse. Tenn.

fuscm.

Cryptobranchus alleghaniensis, (Daudin.)

Alleghany Salammider ; Hellbender.

Salamandra alleghaniensis, Daudin, 1803, 69, viii. 231 ; Cryj). salarnan-
droides, Leuck., 1. e. ; Menopoma alleg., Harlan, 1. c. , with figures; Hol-
brook, 1842, 54, v. 95, pi. 32; Cryp. alleg.. Van der Hoeven, 104-, iv.
384 ; Boulenger, 28, 81 ; Cope, 1889, 51, 88, with figures.

Size large, body heavy and depressed. Head broad and flat and snout
rounded. Tail broad and much compressed, and with a fin along its up-
per edge ; its length equal to half the remainder of the animal. Skin
richly provided with mucous follicles, especially about the head. Sides
with a conspicuous, corrugated cutaneous fold, which extends from the
angle of the mouth to the middle of the tail.

Mouth large, the gape extending to behind the eyes. Nostrils small,
close to the edge of the lips. Eyes small, with no evident lids. Limbs
short and stout, bordered externally by a fold of membrane, which ex-
tends down to the outer toe. Hinder limb stoutest, and bordered behind
by a second fold, which, near the foot, passes into the external fold.
Digits 4-5.

16

The distance from the snout to the gill-slit is equal to about one-sixth
the total length.

Color grayish to black, usually dark slate; sometimes mottled and
spotted,

A total length of two feet may be reached, though usually smaller. ,

Known to occur from Pennsylvania west to Iowa, south to South Car-
olina and Louisiana. Not yet known from Florida or Texas.

Indiana localities are: Evausville (Nat. Mus.) ; Whitewater R. at
Brookville (E. R. Quick) ; Ohio R. at Vevay and Madison (Hay.) ;
New Harmony (Max. von Wied, 103, xxii. 136).

It appears strange that the occurrence of this animal has not yet been
reported from any part of the State except immediately along the Ohio
River, since its extra limital distribution indicates plainly that it must
be found in all the larger lakes and streams of the State.

The "Hellbender" is a great coarse, sprawling, repulsive looking
ci'eature. In the Ohio and its tributaries it is a common animal, and is
cordially despised by the fishermen, whose hooks are too often burdened
with it instead of fish, and who regard it as also poisonous. The latter idea
is erroneous ; nevertheless, its bite might be painful. They appear to be
exclusively aquatic, and yet are capable of living for a long time out of
the water. Mr. Charles H. Townsend (22, 16, 139), says that in Loyal-
hana Creek, Westmoreland County, Pa., shoals of them may be seen in
early spring moving sluggishly over the bottom. In August they appear
to hide away under rocks, but will come out after a bait of dead fish.
They are very tenacious of life. Mr. Townsend carried some of them in
a bag, on horseback, for five miles through a blazing sun, then put them
into a tub of water for five weeks without food, and they survived and
were vigorous. Mr. Wm. Frear, of Lewisburg University, in corrob-
orating Mr. Townsend's account of their tenacity of life, states that a
specimen eighteen inches long had lain in the sun forty-eight hours, then
in a museum a day longer, before it was placed in alcohol. After being
submerged in this twenty-four hours it was taken out and was alive and
vigorous. On making cuts, in the attempt to sever the cervical vertebrae,
it showed no auger or discomfort ; but if only the tip of the tail was
touched, the animal would viciously snap its jaws and strike with its tail.

Two females of Mr. Townsend's specimens spawned while in the tub
where he put them. The spawn is reported as similar to that of frogs,
but without the dark colors of the latter. The ova were exuded in
strings, and were farther apart than the eggs of frogs. The eggs were
of a yellowish color and surrounded with gelatinous matter, which swelled
greatly on coming in contact with the water. Professor Cope states that
the eggs are rather large and are attached by two strong suspensors at
opposite poles. They must resemble somewhat the eggs of the Amphi-
uma, but Avith soft gelatinous covering.

17

The very young have not yet been seen, so that it is not known
whether or not they possess gills. If gills are present on hatching, they
must be very transient, at most.

Maximillian, Prinz von Wied {103 xxii, 136), states that he found the
young of this species at New Harmony. They were about three inches
long, had two gill-slits yet open, and remains of external gills. These
gills were afterward gradually absorbed. It is possible, however, that
these were the young of some Ambijstoma, as Professor Cope has suggested
to me.

The Hellbender is said to eat worms, crustaceans and fishes. It will
probably eat almost anything that presents itself.

Grote states that he has seen these animals with the shed skin rolled
up in their mouths, as if in the act of swallowing it. They were observed
during July and August to have a swaying motion of the body, but the
purpose of this was not discovered. The statement is also made that
during the time of pairing of the sexes the tail becomes broader and the
lateral folds undergo some changes. The eggs seem to be deposited " in
the water during the month of August.

Professor S. P. Gage and wife have made the observation that this
animal at times draws in water by pharyngeal movements and expels it
through the gill-slits.

Family IV. AMBYSTOMATIDtE.

No persistent gills or gill-slits. Limbs four ; digits four to five.
Vomers broad, with the teeth on the posterior edge, the vomero-
palatine teeth forming a nearly straight row across the roof of the mouth,
in a line just behind the choanse. No parasphenoidal teeth. Tongue
large, with a narrow anterior and lateral free edge. Carpus and tarsus
ossified.

Of the Atvhystmnatidce, as here defined, all the species belong to North
America, except a single one, and that occurs in Siam. Of the N. A.
forms Professor Cope recognizes four genera. Since these genera are
founded on peculiarities of structure of the hyoid apparatus, and these
require minute dissections, and since all known Indiana species belong to
the genus Ambystoma, the others are not defined. The genera recognized
by Professor Cope are Amhlydoma, Choadrotus, Lingiuelapsus and Dicamp-
todon.

Genus AMBYSTOMA, Tschndi.
Figure 1, Plate 1.

Ambystoma, Tschudi, 1838, 29, 92 ; Amblystoma, Agassiz, 1848, 100.
Larval forms.

Siredon, Wagler, 1830, 75, 209.
(2)

18

Axolotes, Oweu, 1844, 101, xiv, 23.

Vomero-palatiue teeth in a nearly straight, sometimes interrupted,
row behind the choanse. Tongue broad, free margin narrow, the upper
surface with numerous narrow folds. Tail usually somewhat compressed.

As formerly defined, this genus would comprise about eighteen species.
As defined by Professor Cope, it will contain still about thirteen species.
Of these we certainly have in Indiana six, and possibly more.

The Ambystomas are familiarly known as "Mud-puppies," and are
frequently met with in the operations of plowing, digging ditches and
cleaning out cellars. They are often not distinguished from lizards, but
the latter are very active, while the former are extremely slow in most
of their movements. The Ambystomas, like all similar animals, are
regarded as venomous and are usually destroyed on sight. On the con-
trary, they are the most innocent animals imaginable. They can not be
provoked to bite ; and if they should do so, they have no poison glands
connected with their teeth, and the teeth are so very short that they
could scarcely penetrate the skin.

The species appear to be mostly nocturnal in their habits. Their food
in the adult stage consists of insects, small mollusks, and more especially
of earthworms. Their winters seem to be spent near the borders of
ponds, and in these, as soon as the ice is broken up in the spring, their
eggs are deposited. These are surrounded by a mass of gelatine, by
means of which they cling to one another and to grass and sticks. The
tadpoles are slenderer than are those of toads and frogs, and they have
branching external gills. They look a good deal like small catfishes In
due time these tadpoles lose their gills and betake themselves to the land.
The larvse of some of the species attain a large size before undergoing
their metamorphosis, and one species has been known to breed while still
possessing gills.

Key to the N. A. Species of Ambystoma.^

A. Tongue with a median crease from which the papillary folds di-
verge in a pinnate manner. Palatine teeth not extending be-
yond the choanae. microsiomum, p. 19.

AA. Tongue with the papillary folds radiating from a point at the back
of the tongue. Palatine teeth extending laterally beyond the
choanse.

=''In determining the species of Ambystoma great care should be exercised. Too much
reliance must not be placed on this key, but the descriptions must be appealed to, and the
animal in hand carefully compared' with them. Those costal grooves are to be counted
which plainly lie between the fore and the hind legs. The number of these, in any species.
may occasionally be one more or less than here given. Examine both sides of the body,
The color and character of the spots may vary within limits.

19

a. Costal grooves 12.

b. A single indistinct plantar tubercle or none. Black ou

sides, with a yellow stripe along the back. Head

broad. Idaho. epixanthwn.

Leaden brown, with a grayish-brown dorsal stripe.

Wyoming to Pacific coast. macrodactylum.

Lead color to black, sometimes with whitish specks

along the sides. jeffersonianum, p. 22.

bb. Two distinct plantar tubercles.

Lower jaw projecting beyond the upper.

xiphias. Appendix.
Lower jaw not projecting perceptibly beyond the
upper. Sides with vertical yellow spots. N. Mex-
ico, trisniptum.
Lower jaw not projecting. Spotted irregularly with
yellow. tigrinum, p. 23.
aa. Costal grooves 11.

c. Two distinct plantar tubercles.

Dark brown above, brownish yellow below. Tail equal

to rest of body. copeianum, p 26.

Dark above, with large, irregular yellow spots. Yellow

below. bicolor.

cc. No plantar tubercle, or one indistinct.

Lead color. Tail equal to distance from vent to gular
fold. Size small. Pennsylvania to Georgia.

eompersum.

Dark above, with a row of yellow spots of size of eye on

each side of back. pundatum, p. 27.

Black above, with cross bands of gray. opacum, p. 29.

aaa. Costal grooves 10.

Brown, with sprinklings of gray. talpoideum. Appendix.

Ambystoma mierostomum, (Cope )*

Small-Mouthed Salamander.

Figure 1, PL 1.

Amblystoma mierostomum, Cope, 1867, 1, 206 ; Boulenger, 1882, 28, 50 ;
{jhondrotus mierostomus. Cope, 1887, 22, 88; 1889, 51, 101, with figures.

Body longest and slenderest of all the species of Ambystoma, the dis-
tance from the snout to the axilla being contained twice in the distance
from the axilla to the groin. Head small and short ; contained in length

*Although Prof. Cope has assigned this species to his recently proposed genus Chon-
drohm, I retain it in Ambystoma ; since a careful examination of the tongue structures
has shown that there is no essential difference between these and those of other species
of Anihystoma. The otoglossal is identical with that of A. opacum.

20

to the groin 6 or 7 times. Snout rounded. Lower jaw slightly project-
ing beyond the upper. Mouth small. Tongue of moderate size, oval, the
papillary folds arranged pinnately on each side of a conspicuous mediaa
groove. Palatine teeth extending little, if any, beyond the choanse ;
forming a nearly straight line across the palate, or with an obtuse angle
pointing forward.

Body with 14 costal grooves, and a slight dorsal furrow. Tail a little
longer than the distance from the fore to the hind limbs ; nearly cylin-
drical at the base, becoming flattened toward the obtuse tip. Limbs
short and weak, failing much of meeting when laid along the side.

(Skin smooth and slippery, and with numerous minute mucous pores.

The color above is a dark brown or black, paler below. In alcohol
there is sometimes a tinge of red. All over the body, but especially
along the sides, there are numerous mildew-like specks of gray.

The extreme length may become as much as six inches.

This species has been found inhabiting the country from Ohio to
South Carolina, and west to E. Kansas and Louisiana. It has also been
brought from about Hudson Bay.

In some parts of Indiana it is an extremely abundant species. It is
the commonest species of Urodele about Irvington. I saw, it in Mr.
Sampson's collection at New Harmony, Dr. Ridgway collected it in
numbers at Wheatland. It has been taken at Terre Haute by Profs.
Evermann and Blatchley, and at Brookville by Mr. A. W. Butler.
One specimen in the Terre Haute Normal School collection from How-
ard County.

I have been enabled to study this species with some care, and I shall
detail its habits somewhat, since they will illustrate the habits of other
species of the genus.

The Small-mouthed Salamander spends the winter months in and
about the borders of stagnant ponds. I have had it taken in midwinter
from under ice over which boys were skating. It was captured under
such circumstances on January 6, 1886, and again February 6, 1889.
These winters \yere rather mild, and the ice not thick. As soon as the
ice is melted they begin to lay their eggs, and it is no unusual .thing to
have the ponds frozen solidly again after some eggs have been deposited.
Some specimens in captivity laid their eggs in the middle of January.
Ovoposition more commonly occurs during the month of March. It
may continue for a space of at least three weeks.

The eggs proper are quite small, being about one-twelfth of an inch
in diameter. Each egg is surrounded with a capsule of gelatine, which
on coming in contact with the water swells up and becomes about a»
large as a hazel-nut. By means of this gelatinous mass the eggs are
cemented to one another and to leaves of grass, sticks, and other objects
in the water The eggs may be deposited singly, but more commonly

21

they occur in masses of from two to a dozen, and even more. This
gelatine no doubt serves to protect the eggs and the young. I do not be-
lieve that any animal will eat the gelatine.

Segmentation of the eggs begins immediately, and soon the young
salamander may be seen within the gelatine looking like a dark worm.
The development of some of the eggs appears to progress more rapidly
than that of others. The young escape into the water from the first of
April to the tenth. They are then about two-fifths of an inch long, are
of a bright olive color, with some squarish blotches along the back.
Three little gills stand out on each side of the neck, and on these may
be seen rudiments of lateral filaments. The fore-legs are seen as the
merest rudiments. I do not think that at this stage they have any
mouth. The body is covered with cilia. From the time of hatching
there is a club-shaped organ attached just behind each corner of the
mouth. These are the "balancers." By means of these the little
animal manages to hang fast to the sides of the vessel, or to objects in
the water. They are lost before the tadpole becomes an inch long.

When the larva has become a half inch long, its gills have developed
two rows of filaments on each stalk. Through these the blood may be
seen circulating. Water enters the mouth through the nostrils and
passes out through the gill-slits, thus bathing the gills.

Larvae two-thirds of an inch in length had their intestines filled with
the remains of small animals. These consisted principally of entomos-
tracous crustaceans. The stagnant waters where the salamanders lay
their eggs swarm with minute animal life, and the tadpoles have sharp
appetites and the ability to provide for themselves. Later on they
seize on small mollusks and insects.

When they have become an inch long, they may be seen to come to
the surface after air. This happens more and more frequently as the
size increases. When they have attained a size of nearly two inches,
the gills begin to show signs of undergoing absorption. They seek the
surface oftener, and are inclined to float on the water. They will even
leave the water if allowed to do so. The time of completing their
change into the adult form is about the first of June. The gills are
lost ; the tail loses its fin-like border ; the legs have become well devel-
oped ; and soon the only difl^erence between the animal and its parents
is in size. They betake themselves to the banks, where they are soon
concealed among grass roots and earth.

About the ponds the adults may often be found concealing themselves
under sticks and pieces of wood which lie partly in and partly out of the
water. Here they can get an abundance of their favorite food, the
earthworms. After their eggs have been disposed of, they appear to
leave the vicinity of the water, and scatter out, so that they are only oc-
casionally found under logs and in the soil. At this period they do not

seem to be able to remaiu a great length of time in the water, and when
left there they have sometimes drowned.

I have often been surprised at the ability for climbing shown by these
animals. I have seen them climb up the corners of a zinc box six inches
high, and make their escape. Indeed, it is extremely difficult to keep
them imprisoned.

The salamander will soon learn to take food when it is offered. They
seize and swallow earthworms with great greediness. A worm several
inches long will be swallowed by installments.

This species of Ambystoma, even in its adult stage, enjoys a sort of
aquatic respiration. I have observed them, while under the water, to
draw in streams of water through the nostrils and to expel it at intervals
through the mouth. These expulsions of water by the mouth occur
every eight to twelve seconds. The animal will remain under the water
breathing thus for perhaps fifteen minutes. It will then appear to become
uneasy, bubbles of air escape from its mouth, and soon it comes to the
surface after air. In all probability oxygen is absorbed from the water
by the lining ot the mouth, and thus the blood is partially purified. In
this way we may account for the long time that these animals can remain
in water under the ice.

This salamander appears to enjoy having its back tickled with a straw.
It will often lift its tail high in the air and wave it to and fro in a ludicrous
way. It seems at times to make a low piping sound, and at other times
produces a clucking noise.

It is of interest to us that this species was first described by Dr. E.
Hallowell (1, 1856, 8) as Ambystoma porphyriticum from specimens sent
him from Indiana.

Ambystoma jeffer&onianum, (Green.)
Jefferson' s Salamander.

Salamandra jeffersoniana, Green, 1827, 102, 4; Holbrook, 1842, 54-,
5, 51, pi. 14; Ambystoma jeffersoniana, Baird, 1849, 2, 283; Amblystoma
jefersonianum, Cope, 1867, 1, 195; Boulenger, 1882, 28, 46, pi. II,
fig. 2; Cope, 1889, 51, 101, with figures.

A species with an elongated body and head. The distance from the
snout to the axilla considerably less than the distance from axilla to groin.
Tail equal to distance from snout to vent. There are twelve costal
grooves and a dorsal furrow. Skin smooth, but under the lens showing
numerous mucous pores. A line of these internal to the orbits. Head
rather broad and depressed ; its width contained in length to groin from
four to five times. Cleft of mouth extending back more than half way to
gular fold. Eyes large and set far back. Gular fold prominent, but not

23

meeting above. Tongue large and with the papillary folds radiating from
behind. Choanai apart same distance as the nostrils. Series of palatine
teeth interrupted in the median line and behind each choana, thus making
four patches.

Limbs long and slender ; in some specimens overlapping when laid
along the side ; in others not quite meeting. Toes long and slender.
Tail compressed, narrower above, but without a crest. The tarsal tuber-
cles are lacking, or there may be one indistinct.

The body varies above from lead color to brown and black, paler l)elow.
On the sides of body and tail, sometimes also on belly, there may be dis-
tinct or faint blotches of bluish, but often these are wholly wanting.

A length of five to six inches may be reached by full grown adults.

Of this species Prof. Cope recognizes three varieties, or subspecies, viz. :

Head broad ; its width in length to groin 4 to 4.5 times ; lead colored
to brown, sometimes with whitish spots. jeffersonianuni.

Head (as above) 5 times; black, with numerous white spots on sides,
belly and tail. laterale.

Head (as above) 5 times; uniform lead color. platineum.

A widely distributed species, but most common toward the north.
Hudson's Bay south to Virginia and Southern Illinois. Indiana localities :
Hanover (Hallowell) ; Irviugton (Hay) ; Franklin County (A. W. But-
ler) ; Wabash County (A. B. Ulrey) ; Monroe County (Ind. Univ. coll.) ;
Terre Haute (Blatchley) ; Lake Maxincuckee, Marshall County (the va-
riety laterale). The latter variety with black skin, relieved by numerous
bluish white spots on sides of body and tail and on the belly, and with
narrow head, may be expected throughout northern Indiana. It may be
distinguished from Plethodon ghdinosiis by the lack of parasphenoidal
teeth.

The special habits of this species have not, so far as I know, been
studied. These, however, we may be sure, resemble much those of the
other Ambystomas ; but we may be as certain that they will present some
interesting peculiarities.

Ambystoma tigrinum, (Green.)
Tigei' Salamander.

Salamandra tigrina, Green, 1825, 2, v, 116; Triton tigrinus, Holbrook,
1S42, 54, V, 79, pi. 26; Amhydoina tigrina, Baird, 1849, 3, 284; Ambys-
toma mavortia, Baird, 1849, 2, 284; Amblystoma tigrinum, Cope, 4867, 1,
179 ; 1889, 51, 68, with figures; Boulenger, 1882, 28, 43.

This species, as now recognized, is one of the most widely distributed
of North American urodeles, being known from Maine to Florida, west
to California, and southwest to Mexica. In this wide extent of territory
the species has been subjected to a great variety of conditions, and the

24

result has been the production of numerous forms, which difFer SO much
that they have been described as distinct species uuder many names.
The discovery of intermediate specimens has resulted in bringing all the
forms under the earliest name, tigrhmm. I describe the species as rep-
resented in Indiana.

A large, heavily built species, with long tail, stout limbs and a dark
color, varied with numerous yellow spots.

Head about as wide as the body, or somewhat narrower in large indi-
viduals; the width in the length to the groin about four times. Paratoid
region much swollen. Gular fold prominent, overlapping, rising on the
sides of the neck. A groove running back from the orbit to the gular
fold. Mouth large, reaching back half way or more to the gular fold.
Tongue large, with the papillary folds radiating from behind. Vomero-
palatine teeth in a straight or slightly curving series across the roof of the
mouth, just behind the choanse; occasionally the series projects forward
in an angle between the choanse.

The body is usually thick and depressed, and looks as if swollen. The
distance from the snout to the axilla is contained in the distance from
snout to groin two and a half times. There are twelve well marked cos-
tal furrows. The tail is commonly equal to the distance from snout to the
groin, but specimens are often found in which it is considerably longer.
It is flattened and the extremity has sharp edges above and below.

The limbs are stout. There are two distinct tubercles on the sole of
the hind foot.

The ground color is a livid blue-black, brown, or black on the upper
side. Scattered over the body, limbs and tail are numerous spots of
bright yellow, which vary greatly in size, shape and arrangement. The
spots may enlarge and become confluent, so as almost to cover the upper
surface, or they may be almost obsolete. They are not limited to the
upper part of the back, as they are in A. pundatum. The belly is of the
same color as the upper surface, but it is usually wholly overlaid with
sulphur yellow, so as to obscure the ground color. Through this wash
of yellow may be seen the still brighter yellow of the spots. The chin
and throat are often almost wholly yellow, yet this does not conceal the
still brighter yellow spots. Prof. W. 8. Blatchley has shown me a very
large specimen from Terre Haute which is mostly yellow, but has on body
and tail rather broad anastomosing dark bands. It suggests Cope's A.
xiphicts, but lacks the projecting lower jaw and the very long tail.

This species is the largest of the genus, individuals sometimes reaching
a length of a foot. It is not uncommon to find them from six to nine
inches long.

Distribution from Maine to Florida, California and Mexico. Indiana
localities : Irvington and Indianapolis, rather common ; Terre Haute

25

(Evermanii, Blatchley), Crawfordsville (Beacliler), Lafayette, very com-
mon (F. C. Test) ; iu viciuity of Lake Maxincuckee ; Wabash County
(Ulrey). Probably to be found throughout the iState. The specimens
that I have seen from the northern portion of the State have the upper
surface less spotted with yellow than u?ual.

This species has probably been more extensively studied than any
other of the genus, and this especially on account of the fact that the
gills and other larval structures are sometimes retained until the animal
has reached the full adult size and even is capable of breeding. Dr.
Elliott Cones (9, 4, 290), in speaking of specimens taken in North
Dakota, says: "In all the specimens observed, the metamorphosis from
the Siredon stage was completed at a length of four to five inches. In
other regions I have procured the same species, still in the Siredon stage,
but nearly twice as large." Some interesting observations have been
made on the larvse of this species by Dr. R. W. Shufeldt (50, 1885, 263 ;
61, 453.)

Dr. P. R Hoy (22, v. 578) states that the Tiger Salamander, early in
spring, about April 1, in Wisconsin, repairs to the water for the purpose
of depositing its eggs. These are laid in packets of from twenty to fifty,
on blades of grass. The eggs, including the gelatine, are a half inch in
diameter, the yelk one-eighth. The tadpole emerges in twenty-five
days, and has at that time a length of one-half inch. On each side of
the mouth is a short "holder." By May 5 the "holders" are lost, the
fore legs have made their appearance, and the larva feeds voraciously on
aquatic insects. By the middle of August the gills have been absorbed.
Thus about 100 days are occupied in attaining the adult condition. Dr.
Hoy further says that when the feet and legs have been amputated, as
they may be by water insects, they are reproduced, and the digits in the
same order as originally.

Though I have frequently taken this species about Indianapolis, I
have never been able to obtain its eggs nor to recognize the very young.
In Indiana the metamorphosis is undergone when the tadpole is about
four inches in length. I have seen many specimens taken at Irvington,
and these will illustrate the peculiarities of the young at a time just
preceding the metamorphosis. The entire length is 4.37 inches. There
are present three external gilis, each with numerous flat filaments
arranged in two rows along the main axis. Three gill-slits are yet open,
and these are guarded by gill-rakers similar to those of fishes. The
teeth of the vomers and those of the palatines form separate patches,
and in a series parallel with those of the maxillaries and premaxillaries.
The tongue as yet shows no folds. The limbs are well developed. The
tail has a broad, fin like membrane above and below. The upper mem-
brane extends forward well toward the head. The upper surface is
extensively mottled and blotched with dusky. The color below is white.

26

On the back are three or four faiut cross-bands of dusky. No indica-
tions are present of the future yellow spots so conspicuous in the adult.

In Indiana this species appears to pass the winter hiding about the
margins of ponds, or, in some cases, away from the water, under logs
and such places. I have received specimens taken under the ice, in
company with A. viicrodoynum, in January and February. Like the
latter species, it mostly leaves the water as soon as ovoposition is com-
pleted. They may then be found burrowing in the earth, when they can
be found at all. However, this species, unlike A. microdomum; appears
to be capable of remaining indefinitely in the water during the summer
months and of enjoying its existence there. On the other hand, I have
been told of a specimen that was taken in a dry corn- field on a hot day in
August. A large specimen that was kept by me for several weeks
seemed, during the warmer months, to prefer remaining covered up in a
box of sand that was provided. At intervals it betook itself to the
water. It was observed that this specimen shed its cuticle about every
ten days. Before this exuviation occurred it entered the water and
remained there for some time after the skin had been cast. During the
colder months it preferred to remain constantly beneath the water, only
coming up at intervals of fifteen minutes to take in air. Observations
showed that this species, like A. microstomwn and A. pundatum, enjoy&
an aquatic respiration. Water is steadily inhaled by the nostrils for five
or six seconds, and then expelled by the mouth.

This species is a voracious eater, and will readily learn to take food
from the hand One was kept for weeks without manifesting any dispo-
sition to eat anything, but on being put into a cage along with an Acri»
and a large caterpillar, these mysteriously disappeared. One morning the
salamander was caught holding a good-sized Hyla versicolor by one foot.
Next morning the tree-toad was gone, Avhile the salamander had an
unusually bloated appearance. He would eat pieces of meat, angle-
worms, and one day attempted to swallow a dead mouse.

Like all other animals of the kind, this one is regarded by many
people as dangerously poison. It is, however, entirely harmless.

Ambystoma copeianum, Hay.
Cope' s Salamander.

Amhhjdoma copeianum, Hay, 1885, 3, 209, pi. 14; Cope, 1889, 51, 63,
with figures.

Head broad, body short, tail long and compressed.

The width of the head is a little less than the distance to the gular
fold, and is contained in the distance from the snout to the groin 3.6
timeg. Distance to gular fold in distance to groin 8.2 times. Upper
jaw projecting beyond the lower. Tongue like that of A. tigrinum.

27

Vomero-pahitine teeth iu four distinct series, made so by interruptions
in the middle line and immediately inside the choaniie. The latter open-
ings more widely separated than the outer. The body is short and de-
pressed. The distance from the snout to the axilla is just equal to that
from the axilla to the groin. There are eleven distinct costal furrows
and a dorsal groove. The tail is equal to the distance from the snout to
the beginning of the vent. It has a well developed crest and is com-
pressed. Hind foot with two distinct tubercles.

The limbs are well developed, the posterior being a little longer, some-
what stouter, and the foot broader than the same parts in a specimen of
A. tifjrimnn of the same size.

The color above is dark brown, almost black ; below, brownish yellow.
Between the fore and the hind legs the yellow color mounts up on the
sides of the body to a level with the upper surfaces of the limbs. Head
above like the back, below like the belly, with indications of a brighter
yellow spot behind the symphysis.

This description is founded on the only known specimen, which wa&-
captured at Irvington, near Indianapolis. Nothing whatever is knowa
concerning its habits.

Ambystoma punctatum, (Linn).
Spotted Salamander.

Lacerta punctata, Linnseus, 1766, 6'^, i. 370 ; Salamandra venenosay
Holbrook, 1842, 54-, v- 67, pi. 22; Ambystoma punctata, Baird, 1850, 2,
283; Aviblystoma punctatum, Cope, 1867, 1, 175; 1889, 51, 56, with
figures.

A species with broad head, stout body, black ground-color, and yellow"
spots.

Head depressed ; widest at the swollen paratoid region. The greatest
width is contained in the distance to the groin from 4 to 4.6 times.
From the snout to the gular fold in distance from snout to groin 3.5 to
4 times. Gular fold not prominent, but rising high on the neck. Another
fold from the angle of jaw running back to gular fold. Eyes of mod-
erate size. Mouth large. Tongue moderate, with the papillary folds
radiating from behind. Teeth of vumero-palatines in three portions, the
extremities of the series being separated from the median portion by in-
terruptions just behind the choanse. The latter openings considerably
further apart than the external nostrils.

Body plump, with a dorsal groove and 11 (occasionally 10) costal fur-
rows. The distance from the snout to the axilla in distance from snout
to groin 2.5 times. Limbs moderately developed; when placed along
the side, just meeting or not quite. Toes rather short and depressed;,

28

the plantar tubercles indistinct. Tail thick at the base, becoming com-
pressed toward the tip, not high, and without a keel; a well-marked
depression along each side ; usually shorter than remainder of the ani-
mal. Skin smooth, but well furnished with mucous pores. A row of
enlarged pores along the upper jaw, another inside the orbit, and another
on each side of the upper edge of the tail.

The general color varies from slate-blue to deep black. There is an
irregular row of spots along each side of the back and tail. Similar
spots are found also on the head. From head to tail there may be from
10 to 20 of these spots. In alcoholic specimens these spots are Avhite,
but in life they are bright yellow. Those on the head are often bright
orange, at least in spring. The spots are usually the size of the orbit.
Under side of animal paler than above. May attain a length of seven
or eight inches.

It is distributed from Halifax, N. S., to Wisconsin and south to Geor-
gia and West Texas.

Indiana localities : Wabash County (Ulrey) ; New^ Harmony (Samp-
son's coll.); Wheatland (Ridgway); Franklin County (Hughes);
AVayne County (Butler); Shelby County (G. H. Clark); Monroe
County (Ind. Univ. coll.); Irvington ; Terre Haute (Evermaun and
Blatchley). No doubt, exists throughout the State.

This species differs from A. tigrinum in having but eleven costal
grooves, but a single series of yellow spots on the upper surface, in the
fading of these spots to white in alcohol and in having no plantar tuber-
cles, or but a single indistinct one.

Like its kindred, this species resorts in early spring to stagnant ponds
for the purpose of depositing its spaw^n. They have been found about
Irvington about the middle of March, hiding under pieces of fallen
wood, which lie partly in the water. Later they disperse and may occa-
sionally be found under logs. Dr. S. F. Clarke (122, 1880, No. 2 ) has
studied the development of this species. The eggs are laid in masses of
from 300 to 400. Each egg is covered with a thin coat of jelly, which
swells up when brought in contact with the water. This is supposed to
protect the eggs from fishes, but it probably protects them from many
other enemies, animal and vegetable. This mass of jelly is much more
solid than that of any other species of Amhydoma that I am acquainted
with. While depositing her eggs, the female lies Avith her fore limbs
extended laterally and her hind limbs curved around the opening of the
cloaca, as if to assist in holding the eggs together. The male deposits
the sperm on the eggs and thus fertilizes them. The Bgg has a light and
a dark colored pole of equal size. Segmentation is most rapid in the
light-colored pole. In due time the balancers appear, and are again lost
on the thirtieth day. The larva has three pairs of gills, a tail with a

29

fiu-like membrane, and soon develops fore and hind limbs. Its trans-
formation to the adult form occurs when a length of about two inches
has been reached. (Cope, 51, 49.)

Like the related species, this salamander swims readily by vigorous
strokes of its flat tail, while the limbs are held appressed to the sides.
They are often found floating on the water of the aquarium. When
disturbed they immediately plunge to the bottom and seek to hide.
Their food-habits are closely like those of A. tigrimmi. They devour
with great greediness the angleworms that one offers them. The worms
are swallowed by a succession of gulps. One was observed to swallow
three inches of worm in five minutes. Prof. S. W. Garman has observed
that the tail is prehensile and employed to prevent the animal from fall-
ing. I have observed the same thing.

This species, like A. tigrinum and A. microstoynum, when under the
water draws this in through the nostrils and at intervals expels it by the
mouth. In this way they are enabled to remain for considerable periods
under the water away from the air.

Ambystoma opacum, (Gravenhorsi).
Marbled Salamander.

Salamandra opaca, Gravenhorst, 1807, lOo, 431 ; Salamandra fasciata,
Holbrook, 1842, 5^, v. 71, pi. 23 ; Ambystoma opaca, Baird, 1849, 2, 288;
Amblystoma opacum, Cope, 1867, 1, 173; 51, 54 with figures; Boulenger,
1882, 28, 40.

A species with a short, stout, swollen body, short tail, and weak limbs;
the color dark, with light colored cross-bands.

The greatest width of the head is about three-fourths of the distance
from the snout to the gular fold. The neck is distinct ; the mouth ex-
tends half way to the gular fold. Tongue extensively free at the sides,
and with the papillary folds radiating from behind. The vomero-palatine
teeth consist of two lateral and a median series, the interruptions occur-
ring just behind the choanse.

The body has a swollen appearance. The length to the axilla is con-
tained in the distance to the groin two and one-third times. There are
eleven costal folds, and but slight indications of a dorsal groove. The
limbs are but moderately developed. The animal has the appearance of
being clumsy and weak. The tail is short and stout, its length equaling
only two-thirds the distance from the snout to the groin. The plantar
tubercle is wanting. The skin is everywhere pitted with minute pores.

The color is a dark brown or black. Across the back and upper side
of the tail are a dozen light gray, or silvery white bands. These are
broadest on the body. They usually fork on the sides and run together.

30

An irregular splotch on the head and nape of the same color. The limbs
And belly may be uniform in color, but may be sprinkled with white dots.

Length of large specimens, 4.5 inches.

Distribution from Long Island and Florida, west to Wisconsin and
Louisiana.

The following localities in Indiana have furnished specimens of this
species: New Harmony (Sampson's coll.), Wheatland (Ridgway), Terre
Haute (Blatchley). There seems to be no reason why a careful search
should not be rewarded by finding this species anywhere in the State.

The habits of this salamander have been most carefully studied by Col.
Nicholas Pike, with specimens "taken on Long Island. He states {Ji.8,
i, 209) that eggs and young were taken soon after the ice had left the
ponds toward the latter part of March. The eggs were enveloped in a
glairy mass similar to that of A. pundatwn. The young emerged in
fifteen days, but remained close about the glairy mass which they had
escaped. Mr. Pike supposed that this furnished them food ; this is, how-
ever, improbable. At first they are of a dingy brown color, with two
rows of pale dots along the sides. When a month old, they were exces-
sively active. Some which were dissected had in their stomachs the
larvae of insects, etc. At the age of two months, they would eat small
mollusks. When an inch long the gills are fringed, the tail-fin is edged
with black, the rows of white spots are more prominent, and the head
broader and more prominent. The gills appear to be absorbed, and the
fin membrane to disappear, when the length is about two inches. The
whole body is described as being then sprinkled with white dots, as if
flour had been thrown upon the animal. As soon as the branchiae are
absorbed, the larvse become restless, seek to escape from the water, and
if confined in it, many of them die. If permitted they crawl into moss
and leaves, and curl up there in contentment. The metamorphosis occurs
about the 5th of May. It is, however, not until the last of July that
they assume the colors of the adult. From the time when the eggs are
IJiid until the young have taken the complete adult form and color, there
elapse about four and a half months, and the animal is then two and a
half inches long.

Col. Pike regards the A. opacum as being strictly a terrestrial animal,
entering the water only for the purpose of depositing its eggs. In con-
finement they refuse food for some time, and lie curled up, head to tail.
At last they are willing to accept such mollusks as are oflTered them. It
is entirely probable their food habits are similar to those of their relatives ;
and that they will eat almost any animal substance that they can swallow.
Col. Pike states that this species hibernates late, hiding under leaves and

31

burrowiug in the ground. He says it has been known to burrow in soft
ground to the depth of three feet.

Family V. PLETHODONTID^.

(Includes Prof . Cope's families Plethodontidce, Desmognathidoe, and Thoriidce,^

51, 33).

Body salamandriue in form. No persistent gills or gill-slits. Verte-
brje amphicoelous or opisthoeoelous. Teeth on posterior edge of vomers.
Parasphenoidal teeth present. Tongue extensively free on sides or all
round. Carpus and tarsus cartilaginous.

Key to the Subfamilies of Plethodontidce.^

A. Vertebrae amphicoelous. Plethodontinoi, p. 31.

AA. Vertebrae opisthoeoelous.

a. Carpus and tarsus cartilaginous. Desmognathinm, p. 42.

aa. Carpus and tarsus osseous. Extralimital. Thmiince.

Subfamily PLETHODONTIN^.
Vertebrse amphicoelian. Carpus and tarsus cartilaginous.

Key to the N. A. Genera of Plethodontince.

A. Tongue free along the sides, but not in front,
a. Posterior digits 4.

b. Costal grooves 18-31 ; Pacific States. Batrachoseps.

bb. Costal grooves 13. Hemidadylimn, p. 32.

aa. Posterior digits 5.

b. Mandibular teeth small, numerous, terete.

c. Premaxillaries not ankylosed ; costal grooves 10 to 19.

Plethodon, p. 33.

cc. Premaxillaries ankylosed ; costal grooves 17 ; color, pale

yellow. Georgia. Stereochilus.

bb. Mandibular teeth, few, small, knife-shaped. Pacific States.

Autodax.

*The three subfamilies of PlethodontidiB are founded on internal characters, and re-
quire some dissections. These, however, are not difBcult to make. By making a short in-
cision along the back of the specimen in hand, dressing away the museul.ir tissue down to
the vertebral column, and then sharply bending the back so that two of the vertebra sepa-
rate, it may be seen whether the anterior rounded head of the vertebraj is made of cartilage
or bone. If it is of cartilage, the vertebraj are amphica3lous; if of bone, opisthocoilous. In
either case, the posterior end of the vertebral centrum is concave. In like manner, the
wrist and ankle may be dissected and the determination made whether the nodules found in
them are composed wholly of cartilage or are bony. Since, however, we have no species of
Thoriina, this examination is not necessary. It may facilitate the determination to recollect
that the species of Desmogn 'thvs resemble in easily observed characters the species of
Plethodon only, and the descriptions of these should be carefully scanned.

32

AA. Tongue extensively free all round and standing on a central stalks
a. Posterior digits 4. Southern States. Manculus.

aa. Posterior digits 5.

b. Premaxillaries not ankylosed. Gyrinophilus. Appendix,
bb. Premaxillaries ankylosed. Spelerpes, p. 37..

Genus HBMIDACTYLIUM, Tschudi.

Hemidactylium, Tschudi, 1838, 99, 54; Cope, 1889, 51, 130.

No fontanelle between the parietals. Premaxillaries distinct. Tongue-
free along the sides, attached in the middle line in front. Limbs feeble ;
digits, 4-4.

Hemidactylium seutatum, (Schlegel).
Scaly Salamander; Four-toed Salamander.

Salamandra scidata, Schlegel, 1837, 106, 119; Hemidactylium seutatum^
Tschudi, 1838, 99, 94; Cope, 1889, 51, 130, with figures; Batrachoseps-
scidatus, Boulenger, 1882, 28, 59.

Head flattened above, broadest just behind the eyes. Snout short,
truncate. Width of head in the length to the groin about six times.
Gular fold rising above nearly to middle line. Vomero-palatine teeth
in two short series just behind the choanse. -The parasphenoidal patches
not in contact. Body cylindrical ; the distance from snout to axilla in
the distance from snout to groin three times. There is a dorsal furrow
which runs forward to the head, and, there forking, sends a branch to
each eye. Costal furrows 13 or 14. On each side of the back is a
fainter longitudinal groove. Above this the costal furrows run forward
and meet in the middle line at an acute angle. Base of the tail with a
decided constriction, beyond which the tail again swells out and then tapers
to a sharp point. Both upper and lower edges of the tail with an evident
ridge for the greater part of the length. Skin of the whole upper sur-
face granulated.

Limbs feebly developed ; outstretched arms and legs about equal, and-
contained in the distance from the snout to the groin not quite twice.
Fingers and toes 4, short, almost rudimentary.

Color above brown, chestnut, or purplish, mingled with pale spots and
specks ; snout, shoulders, limbs and upper surface of tail clay-colored.
Below, the color is bluish-white, with many specks and small spots of'
black. The central line of the belly is spotted or not.

This species is distributed from Massachusetts and Canada westward at
least as far as Illinois and south to Georgia. It is regarded as a rare
animal, although it appears to be pretty abundant in places. Prof. Ver-
rill has reported it to be common at New Haven, Conn. The Indiana.

33

localities from which it has beeu reported are: Brookville (Hughes),
Terre Haute (Blatchley), Irvingtou (W. P. Hay), Wabash County at
North Manchester (A. B. Ulrey). Mr. Hughes states that it was found
in the moss at the roots of trees which stood near ponds. In this moss
were also found the eggs. One of Mr. Hughes' pupils found about forty
specimens, but did not secure them. The eggs are said to resemble those
of that eminently terrestrial species Plethodon ciiiereiis. Since the eggs
were found near the water, it is possible that the larvse spend a portion of
their lives in that element. Prof Cope says that the gills are absorbed
at an early period of life, and he thinks that the animal never enter the
water. The food is said to consist principally of worms and insects.

When this species has been dropped on its back, it will often lie for a
time perfectly quiet, as if feigning death. I have heard it give a faint
squeak like the scratching of a quill toothpick against paper. It can
readily climb a perpendicular surface, and it can suspend itself by its tail.
When thrown into water, it may hide for awhile at the bottom, but it
soon endeavors to get out. The smallest specimen that I have seen is one
from North Manchester, the toial length of which is a little less than an
inch and a half.

Genus PLETHODON, Tschudi.

Plethodon, Tschudi, 1888, 99, 59; Boulenger, 1882, 28, 53; Cope,
1889, 51, 132.

Vomero-palatine teeth in two more or less oblique series which lie be-
hind the choanse. Parasphenoidal teeth present. Premaxillaries separated.
Digits 4-5. Tongue free laterally, but attached medially in front.

Species belonging to North America seven. Of these, four occur on
the Pacific Coast.

Key to the Eastern United States Species of Plethodon.

Costal grooves 16 to 19. Color above ashy, or with a red dorsal band.

cinereus. p. 33.
Costal grooves 14. Color above black, with small white dots.

glutinosus. p. 36.
Costal grooves 13. Color above black, with large yellow spots.

ceneiis. Appendix.

Plethodon cinereus, (Green).

Ashy Salammider ; Bed-backed Salamander.

Salamandra cinerea, Green, 1818, 2, 356; Plethodon cinerus, Tschudi,
1838, 99, 92; Cope, 1889, 51, 133 ; Salamandra enjthronota. Green, 1818,
2, 356; Plethodon erythronotus, Baird, 1849, 2, 285; Boulenger, 1882,
28, 57.

(3)

34

Form elongated and slender, with weak limbs. The length to the
axilla in the length to the groin from 3 to 3.5 times.

The head is small and short, its width in the length to the groin seven
times. The snout is short and rounded. Eyes large and prominent.
Gular fold distinct, rising high on the sides of the neck. A distinct
groove runs back from the corner of the eye to the gular fold, and is met
by a groove rising from the corner of the mouth. The neck is distinct.
Mouth large, the upper jaw slightly projecting. Tongue large, oval, free
at the sides and slightly free behind. The vomero-palatine teeth in two
short, arched, backwardly converging rows, which do not extend beyond
the choan^e. Tfie parasphenoidal teeth in two patches lying close to-
gether.

The body is cylindrical, without dorsal furrow, and with from 16 to 19
costal furrows, not including the one in the axilla, but including the in-
guinal. The limbs are short and weak, the outstretched hind legs
scarcely equal to half the distance from the snout to the groin. The
digits are short, the inner ones rudimentary. Tail equal to, or longer
than head and body. Total length 3.5 to 4 inches.

Prof. Cope recognizes three varieties of this species, and these are
based principally on diflferences of coloration. In all three forms the
color below is whitish or yellowish, finely marbled with brown. On the
sides the brown predominates, until it covers the surface, leaving only
whitish specks. The middle of the back is variable.

Middle of back without a red stripe, ashy to black. cinereus.

Middle of back with a red or chestnut stripe, its borders parallel.

erytlironotus.
Middle of back with dorsal stripe having dentate borders. dorsalis.

When the reddish or chestnut stripe is present it is somewhat broader
than the inter-orbital space. Its central portion is usually finely marbled
with brown. It may extend on the tail to its tip. In the form dorsalis,
the stripe has deep indentations along its edges ; these sometimes come
opposite in pairs, when the baud alternately expands and contracts. In
other cases the indentations alternate, and then the band has a zigzag ap-
pearance. The variety dorsalis is furthermore said to have a shorter body
than the others, the length to the axilla being contained in the length to
the groin only 3 times, instead of 3.3 or 3.5 as in the other varieties. The
number of costal folds is given by Prof. Cope as 16 instead of 18, as the
others have. The variety dorsalis has been described from specimens col-
lected at Louisville. I have two good specimens taken at Wyandotte
Cave, not far from Louisville, which have the broad zigzag dorsal band
and seventeen costal furrows, counting them as Prof. Cope counts them.
In one the distance to axilla in distance to groin is 3 ; in the other 3.3. I
think, therefore, that the form is hardly constant enough in its characters

85

to be regarded as a variety. Mr, A. W. Butler reports this form from
Bloomington.

The value of the cinereus and erytJironotiis forms is difficult to determine.
They have been regarded as distinct species. Prof. Cope says that as va-
rieties they are very permanent ones. He has found all of the young of
the same brood or set of eggs, whether in the eggs or just escaped from
them, uniformly with either dark backs or red ones. He has found red-
backed specimens watching eggs with red-backed emliryos, and brown-
backed adults in charge of brown-backed embryos. He states also that
there is some differences in the geographical distribution of the two forms.
In general, however, the two are found in the same region, and it is no
unusual thing to find both kinds under the same log. Further accurate
observations are needed in order to settle this question. Blatchley (94-,
'91, 25), I'eports finding them in equal numbers at Terre Haute. This
species is found in the territory extending from Maine, Ontario and Wis-
consin south to Mississippi and Georgia,

In Indiana, specimens have been reported from New Harmony (cinereus,
Hay); Franklin County (Butler); Monroe County (Ind. Univ. col.);
Terre Haute (Evermann and Blatchley) ; Brookville (cinereus and erythro-
notus, 51, 135 and 137) ; Crawfordsville (Beachler) ; Wyandotte Cave
{dorsalis, Hay) ; Lake Maxinkuckee (cinereus and erythronotus, Dr. Ver-
non Gould) ; North Manchester, Wabash County, both forms (A. B.
Ulrey). Some of the specimens from the last named locality have the
dorsal streak of a more brilliant red than any others that I have ever
seen.

The habits of this species appear to be wholly terrestrial. The eggs
are laid in May, in damp situations, under stones, logs and leaves. The
young are at first provided with branchii3e, but these are soon absorbed,
and are probably not of much use to them at any time. The young are
solicitously watched by one or the other of the adults. Smith (18, 725),
states that he found specimens in the neighborhood of Vassar College, on
the 6th of April, He adds that when it is disturbed it runs swiftly away,
unless it is accompanied by the young, in which case neither these nor the
adult attempt to escape. He thinks the adults feed the young. The
eggs, the same author says, are laid in packets of from 6 to 11, and some-
times as late as June, while in the White Mountains the period of ovopo-
sition may be delayed as late as August, The food consists of insects
and small snails. In one specimen collected, near Wyandotte Cave, I
found a small shell allied to Helix, while in the stomach of another were
the bodies of numerous ants. The species is quite active, running away
when molested and hiding under the leaves. It can climb glass by apply-
ing the feet and abdomen closely to the surface.

36

Plethodon glutinosus, (Green).

Slimy Salamander.

Figure 2, PL 1.

Salamandra glutinosa,- Gveen, 1818, 2, 357; Holbrook, 1842, 54, v. 39,
pi. 10 ; Plethodon glutinosus, Tschudi, 1818, 99, 92 ; Bouleuger, 1882, 28,
56 ; Cope, 1889, 51, 139, with figures.

The body of this species is rather heavy for the genus. It is cylindri-
cal or somewhat depressed, and with a very shallow groove along the
back, but not extending upon the tail. Skin smooth and shining, pitted
with numerous minute pores, which secrete a white sticky fluid. The
length of the snout to the axilla in the distance from snout to the groin
2.75 times. Costal grooves 14.

Head of moderate width, its width in the distance to the groin six
times. Snout rounded or truncate, the upper jaw projecting beyond the
lower. Gular fold not overlapping ; met by a groove from the eye. The
latter organs large and protruding. Tongue large, the posterior fourth
and the sides free ; the papillary folds radiating from behind. Vomero-
palatine teeth in two short, separated, anteriorly convex arches, which
laterally pass a little beyond the choanse. Parasphenoidal bands in close
contact throughout and anteriorly removed from the vomero-palatines.
The length of the parasphenoidal bands equal in length to the distance
between the pupils. Choause as widely separated as the external nostrils.

Tail equal to or a little longer than the remainder of the animal ; cylin-
drical in section and tapering to a point. Limbs moderately developed ^
the tips of the outstretched hind legs being contained in the distance from
head to groin 1 . 5 times. The digits are short and depressed ; the inner
on fore and hind legs are small, but distinct.

The color above is black or blue-black. Along the sides are numerous
whitish blotches about the size of the eye, and these are sometimes more
or less confluent. On the back and upper head the spots are usually
smaller and less bright. Under surface of the head and neck paler ; of
the belly bluish, with minute dots of white, which are not always the
mouths of the mucous pores. Sometimes the posterior half of the tail is
of a reddish brown color. In some specimens, when living, there are
numerous spots of a brassy hue on the belly and under surface of the
head, the tail with rounded dots of yellowish. Rarely there are no white
spots anywhere on the body.

The largest specimens of this species that I have seen are 7 inches long.

The species is distributed from Maine to Wisconsin, and south to Texas
and South C arolina. Indiana localities are : Brookville (Cope, 51, 143,
specimens sent to Nat. Mus. by Dr. R. Raymond) ; Terre Haute (Ever-
mann and Blatchley) ; Monroe County (C. H. Bollman) ; Crawfordsville
(specimens shown me by Mr. Chas. Beachler).

37

This species resembles the variety laterale of Amhydoma 'jcffersoniamnn,
and to a lesser extent Ambydouia viicrostomum. It may be distinguished
from both by the possession of parasphenoidal teeth.

This species, like its relative, P. cinere^is, appears to be wholly terres-
trial. It probably never enters the water, even for the purpose of laying
its eggs, although Smith (18, 726) states that in Georgia it enters the
water in April for the purpose of breeding. If the young ever have gills
they are lost at a very early age. The species spends its life hidiug under
logs and stones, whence at night it comes forth to seek its prey. This
consists of insects, and probably any other small animals that may fall
within its reach. It is quite active while moving over the ground, al-
though it can not run so rapidly as Spelerpes longicauclus and DesmognaUius
fiisea. It moves with a sort of leaping and wriggling motion, It is es-
pecially remarkable for the development of prehensile powers in its tail.
It will wrap its tail around one's finger and hang there for an almost in-
definite time. Although given to living on land it shows no aversion to
entering the water.

Prof. Cope (51, 142) says that it is found more abundantly in moun-
taneous districts, and haunts rocky localities as well as forest mold and
fallen logs. He thinks that it prefers a cool climate. It appears, how-
ever, to be abundant in Southern Illinois, and I found numerous and
large specimens in the low lands of Eastern Mississippi.

Uenus SPELERPES, Rafinesque.

Spelerpes, Rafinesque, 1832, 107, i, 22.

Vomero-palatine teeth in two series, which either converge backward
without reaching the parasphenoids, or run transversely to the anteri-
orly prolonged parasphenoidal patches. These patches either separated
or joined along the middle line. Tongue small, supported on a central
stalk, mushroom-like. Preraaxillaries ankylosed, their spines enclosing
a fontanelle. Limbs moderately well developed ; digits 4-5.

This genus, as limited by Cope, contains ten species, three of which
belong to Mexico, the remainder to the United States. S mnltiplicatus,
being found only in the Southwestern United States, is not here de-
scribed.

Key to the North American Species of Spelerpes.

A. With 21 costal furrows ; color, dark. mulUplicatus.

AA, With 15 costal furrows ; body stout ; color, red, with black

spots ; vomero-palatines meeting the prolonged parasphenoids.

ruber. Appendix.

38

AAA. AVith 13 to 14 costal grooves; body slender ; voraero-palatines-
not meeting the parasphenoidal patches,
a. Tail consideraMy longer than rest of animal.

b. Yellow, with black spots; tail with black cross-bars.

longicaiidus, p. 38.
bb. Red, with black spots on body and on tail.

maeiilicaudxis, p. ?>%^

bbb. Yellow, with a broad dorsal band and another each side

of back. guttolineatus. Appendix.

aa. Tail not much, if any, longer than rest of animal, back with

a median row of dots, and on each side a dusky line or

baud. Ground- color yellowish, above and below.

hidmeatus, p. 40..

Spelerpes longieaudus, (Green).

Long-tailed Triton.
Figure 3, PI 1.

Salamandra longicauda, Green, 1818, 2, 351 ; Holbrook, 1842, 54, v^
61, pi. 19; Spelerpes longicauda, Baird, 1849, 2, i, 287; Boulenger, 1882,.
28, 64; S. longieaudus, Cope, 1889, 51, 168, with figures.

Body elongated and slender, with well developed limbs. Tail consid-
erably longer than the rest of the animal.

Head flat, tapering gently backward, more rapidly forwai'd to the
rounded and projecting snout. Width of head in length to the groin
6 to 6.5 times. Eyes moderately large and prominent. Gular fold
prominent, on the sides of the neck projecting backwards. Tongue
boletoid and capable of protrusion. Vomero- palatine teeth in two short,
curved series, which approach but do not meet each other backward;,
neither do they reach to the parasphenoidal patches. Externally they
do not reach forward to the hinder borders of the choanpe. The para-
sphenoidals in two distinct bands, approaching in front, but diverging^
posteriorly.

Body somewhat flattened, with a dorsal groove and thirteen costal fur-
rows. Distance from the snout to the axilla in the distance to the groin
2.6 times. The tail is low and flattened, about 1.5 times the length of
the remainder of the animal, sometimes nearly twice as long, running out
to a sharp point.

Outstretched hind limhs contained in the length to the groin about 1.3
times ; toes and fingers short.

The color is usually a bright lemon yellow, sometimes increasing in
depth to an orange. Below, the tint is paler and without spots. Above
and on the sides there are numerous jet black spots varying in size from
specks to spots as large as the eye. The largest of these may form a row

39

niniiiug back from each eye to the pelvis, formiug au iuterrupted baud
along the side. On the tail the spots arc usually conflueut into vertical
bars.

The length of adult specimens is usually about five inches. I have a
specimen from Pennsylvania that is 6.5 inches long.

This species ranges from Maine and Wisconsin south to Florida and
Louisiana. In Indiana it has been taken at AVaveland, Montgomery
County (A. W. Butler); in Monroe County (Ind. Univ. coll.); "Caves
of Southern Indiana" (D. S. Jordan); Harrison County (Prof. Hallett,
with specimens). It is possible that the reports of this species from Mon-
roe County and "Caves of Southern Indiana" refer to the SprkrpcA ma-
(mlicaiidm, which is found there.

This is one of the most beautiful and interesting of our batrachians.
Its brilliant colors, its graceful form, and its innocent habits demand for
it attention and kindly protection. It appears to prefer for its haunts
rocky ground and the fissures of caves. Prof. Cope says that he has
never seen it in the water. Others regard it as to a great extent aquatic.

Harlan (39, 96) states that it inhabits the swamps of New Jersey. It
undoubtedly enters the water in order to deposit its spawn. I have been
able to learn nothing about its food or about its breeding habits.

Spelerpes maculieaudus, (Cope).

Hoosier Salamander.

Figure 4, P/. 1.

Gynnophilus maculieaudus, Cope, 1890, 32, xxiv, 966, with figures ;
Spelerpes maculieaudus, Hay, 1891, 22, 1133.

A species resembling closely S, longicaudus, but diflfering in form, ar-
rangement of vomero-palatine teeth, and color. Head broader and flatter
than in longicaudus, contained in distance to groin 5 to 5.5 times. The
distance from snout to axilla iu distance to groin 3.5 times against 4 times
in longicaudus. Tail long and compressed, containing head and body 1,5
times. Costal grooves 13 or 14, one more than in longicaudus. Arrange- ,
ment of vomero-palatine teeth different from that in longicaudus. In this
latter, the series runs forward toward the choana and then turns outward
behind it, not reaching as far forward as its hinder border. In maculieau-
dus, the series runs forward to a point in advance of the hinder border
of the choana, or even to its anterior border, and then turns abruptly out-
ward and backward, so as to produce the form of a hook.

The ground-color varies from orange to vermillion red. That of longi-
caudus being usually lemon yellow, sometimes becoming reddish brown or
orange. The head and body are irregulary spotted with black dots about
the size of the pupil, or larger. The tail is similarly spotted, but the
spots do not incline to form vertical bars, as in longicaudus. The lower
surface is uniform.

40

In a specimen that I have from Brook ville, there is on each dorso-
lateral region a row of black spots, one on each costal space. This row
begins over the arm and runs back on the tail. In the middle of the back
there is an irregular row of spots. In a specimen from Bloomington, the
spots are more irregular.

Total length of large specimens, 6 inches ; head and body 2.5 inches.

This species was originally described from specimens sent to Prof Cope
from Brookville, Ind. It was first taken there by Mr, E. R. Quick. Mr.
Edward Hughes has reported the occurrence of the species in Decatur
County. I have also seen specimens from the neighborhood of Bloom-
ington, Indiana, some of which were contained in the collection of the
State Normal School at Terre Haute. During the summer of 1891 Mr.
W. P. Hay found one of these salamanders in May's Cave, near Bloom-
ington, and another in Kern's Cave, about a mile southwest of Bedford,
in Lawrence County. Both these specimens were found clinging to the
walls of the caves about four feet from the water, and the one in the last
mentioned cave was about a quarter of a mile from the entrance. They
made no efibrt to escape, and both were detected by the gleaming of their
eyes in the candle light. During the pi'eseut summer Mr, Hay took a
specimen of the species in a small cave near Wyandotte Cave. Dr,
Stejneger, of the National Museum, has shown me a specimen of the same
species, which has been sent to him from Barry County, in southwestern
Missouri. This extends greatly the range of the salamander.

These salamanders are said to be more aquatic than is S. longicaudus.
I kept two of them for some time in an aquarium, and they seemed to
spend a considerable portion of the time out of the water. They have the
power of climbing up a perpendicular glass, and they will remain sticking
in such places for a long time. When the glass, to which they are ad-
hering, is turned horizontal, they can remain sticking to the under side.
They are extremely active, and when pursued, escape with great rapidity.

' Spelerpes bislineatus, (Green),

Two-lined Triton.

Salamandra bislhieata, Green, 1818, 2, i. 352 ; S bilineata, Holbrook,
1842, 54, V. 55, pi. 16 ; Spelerpes bilineata, Baird, 1849, 2, 9, 287 ; S.
bilineatus, Boulenger, 1882, 28, 66; Cope, 1889, 51, 163, with figures.

A small species, seldom exceeding 3.5 inches long, and with the tail
varying from a little less to a little more than the remainder of the total
length.

The head is rather narrow, being usually contained in the length to
the groin about seven times, occasionally only five times. The snout is
short and rounded, sometimes abruptly so. The eyes are prominent.

41

The tougue is free all round, as is the case with all of the genus, and-
ean be thrust far out of the mouth. The voniero-palatine teeth consists
of two short, curved series, which })ackwardly approach each other
without meeting, and which do not reach the parasphenoidal patches.
The latter are separated from each other by a narrow space.

The body is elongated and slightly depressed. The distance from the
snout to the axilla in distance to the groin nearly three times. There
are nearly always fourteen costal furrows, occasionally but thirteen,
rarely fifteen. There is a well-defined dorsal furrow. The limbs are
rather feebly developed, the outstretched hind limbs are contained in the
distance from the snout to the groin about 1.5 times The tail may be
a little shorter than the head and body^ or a little longer. It is com-
pressed. Keeled above, rounded below, and ends in a sharp point.

The color above is clear yellow, or yellowish-brown, sometimes merely
yellowish-gray ; below pale yellow, without spots Along the middle of
the back there is a row of small dark spots, and these may even become
confluent into a narrow line. Beginning at the eye, there is a dark-
brown line which runs backward on the body and tail. The lower border
of this line may be continued down on the side, gradually fading out,
however, so that the whole side may appear to be occupied by a broad
dusky band. Just below the darkest upper edge of the band, in the
intercostal spaces, there may be spots of the ground color.

Size, usually about 3.5 inches, although a length of 4 inches may be
attained.

This species is very widely distributed, being known from Maine to
Florida, and west to Wisconsin, and possibly Louisiana.

Indiana localities are : Brookville ( Hughes and Butler ) ; Monroe
County (Ind. Univ. coll.) ; Waveland, Montgomery County (Butler) ;
Marion County, abundant at places along Fall Creek, ( W. P. Hay) ;
Terre Haute (Blatchley) ; Vigo County (Nor. Sch. coll.). Some speci-
mens from Vigo County have the ground-color, above, a gray merely
tinged with yellowish. The snouts of these specimens were also unusu-
ally blunt. Similar specimens have been taken in Marion County.
Mr. C. S. Beachler reports the species from Waldron, Shelby County.

Like a number of other species, this seems to delight in living in close
proximity to the water without spending the whole of its time in that
element It is found hiding away under sticks and stones and among
dead leaves about shallow streams and rivulets issuing from springs.
It is very active and very slippery, so that when it starts away it is ex-
tremely difficult to catch it. A number of adults and larvae were taken
June 1, by W. P. Hay, near Fall Creek, in Marion County. The adults
were concealed among the dead leaves on the borders of a spring, while
the larvae were found in a little pool not far away. The adults were ex-
tremely active, and ran rapidly by a kind of combination of wriggling

42

and jumping. The young, which had attained a length of one inch and
a half, had all the markings of the adults, except that the color was less
yellow. The limbs were developed as in the adults. There were three
pairs of gills, which the little animals held erect in the water. The tail
also had a broad membranous fin. When the young v/ere disturbed,
they would dart through the water with a velocity that was surprising.
I was not able to determine what they eat. One of the adults, when
captured, had in its mouth the white larva of some dipterous insect.
The young show a decided disposition to leave the water long before the
gills are lost Both old and young have the ability to climb up perpen-
dicular surfaces. Some young were kept in a fruit jar in some water,
and it was found that they were dying. All the water was poured out,
except a very little, after which they fared better. One was found to
have crawled half-way up the side of the jar, and was resting there in
apparent content.

I have not been able to ascertain the character of the eggs of this sal-
amander, nor how they are disposed of. They must be laid in the early
spring.

Subfamily DESMOGNATHIN^.

Vertebrae opisthocoelian. Carpus and tarsus cartilaginous.

This subfamily contains only a single genus, Demnognathus, belonging
to which there are three species, only one of which is likely to be found
in Indiana.

Genus DBSMOGNATHUS, Baird.

Desmognathus, Baird, 1849, 2, 285 ; Boulenger, 1882, 28, 77 ; Cope,
1889, 51, 194.

Vemero-palatine teeth in a short curved series behind the choanse ;
leebly developed or entirely wanting. Parasphenoidal patches present.
Premaxillaries ankylosed. Tongue extensively free laterally and behind,
little free in front. Digits 4-5. Vertebrae opisthocoelian.*

Externally this genus has the characters of Plethodon. It is, however,
distinguished from the latter by its vertebrae being convex in front, and
by the coalescence of the premaxillaries into one piece.
A. With 14 costal grooves.

a. Abdomen of uniform pale color. N. Y. and Pa, ochrophcea,
aa. Abdomen marbled with light and dark.

fiisca, p. 43.
AA, With ] 2 costal grooves.

Color black above and below. Va. to Ga. nigra.

'■'See foot-note page 439 ; p. 31 of author's edition.

4^

. Desmognathus fiisca, (Rafinefque),
Broiv)i Triton.

Figure 5, PI. 1.

Trituvus fnscus,}\Sifin., 1820, lOS, March; Salamandra quadrimaculatay
Holbrook, 1842, o^, 49, pi. 12; Desmognathus fiiscus, Baird, 1849, S,
285; Cope, 1869, 1, 115; Cope, 1889, 51, 194, with figures; Boulenger,
1882, 28, 77.

Body rather heavily built and somewhat depressed. The distance from
the snout to the axilla in distance from snout to groin three times, or
nearly so. There are usually 14, rai'ely 13 or 15, costal grooves. A dor-
sal furrow" commencing at the nape and ending over the vent.

Head flat and the snout rounded. The gular fold prominent, rising on
the sides of the neck and the turning forward towards the eyes. Another
fold, starting on the under jaw, crosses the corner of the mouth and rises
on the side of the head. This furrow is crossed by one which starts be-
hind the eye and runs back to the gular fold. The eyes are very promi-
nent. Tongue moderate in size, free at sides and behind, little free in
front. Vomex'o-palatine teeth not strongly developed, sometimes en-
tirely missing. When present they form only a short series on each side.
Parasphenoidal teeth in two patches which diverge backwardly. Lower
mandible somewhat undulate, especially in the males; toothed to near
the angle of the mouth. Width of head in distance to the groin about
five times. The limbs are feebly developed, the fore and the hind limbs,
when stretched along the side, not meeting .by about four interspaces.
Fingers 4, toes 5, joined at the bases by a narrow membrane. Tail about
as long as the remainder of the animal, tapering gradually to a sharp
point; its section at the base circular becoming flattened further back on
the upper edge into a narrow fin.

The color of this species is quite variable. The adults of full size are
usually dark above, with the belly paler, and with mottlings of brown.
Along with the brown of the upper surface are shades of gray and pink ;
the young, and sometimes the half-grown, with ochreous spots along each
side of the back, and these bordered more or less with black. In some
specimens the whole middle line of the back is yellow or somewhat orange,
brightest along the outer border, and divided along the middle line by a
row of black spots. Such specimens resemble Plethodon cinereus erythro-
noius. These bright colors are sometimes retained by the full-grown
specimens.

A variety of this species, aiiricidata, which has not been recognized in
Indiana, is distinguished by having a series of small red spots along the
sides, and often a red spot from the eye to the corner of the mouth. Has
been taken near Cincinnati, Ohio.

44

The habitat of this salamander iocludes the territory extending from
IMaine to Indiana, Georgia, Mississippi, and southwe:;tern Arkansas.

In Indiana it has been taken, up to this time, only at Brookville (Hay-
moud, Butler, Hughes), and in Monroe County (C, H. Bollman); Rich-
mond (F. C. Test); Decatur County (W. P. Shannon).

Where found at all, this species appears to be one of the commonest.
Jt is to a very great extent aquatic. Prof Cope says that " it lives chiefly
among the stones in the many shallow rivulets and springs of the hilly
and mountainous regions of the country. It prefers the rapid and shallow
streamlets. Here it may be found under every stone, or its delicate
larvse may be observed darting rapidly from place to place, seeking con-
cealment among mud and leaves." My experience with them is that,
while in confinement, they do not, at least during the summer months,
remain wholly in the water, but prefer to lie hidden in their tunnels in
moss, with the head sticking out, so as to observe what is going on. When
they are lying thus, if an insect is presented to tliem on the forceps they
spring swiftly forward and seize and swallow it. I have had them to
take flies and small spiders. One attempted to swallow a nearly whole
red-legged grasshopper. They are extremely active and vigorous, and as
slippery as eels, and it is with the greatest difiiculty that they can be re-
tained in the hands. When one is put on the floor, it escapes rapidly by
a sort of combination of leaping and running. When held on the hand
they will leap from it in the endeavor to escape. The tail is to some ex-
tent prehensile, and may be employed to keep the animal from falling.

Prof. Baird originally observed that this salamander lays its eggs in a
string, and this is wrapped several times around the body of one of the
pair, which then retires to a spot of concealment while the eggs develop.
This curious habit, about which more needs to be known, has been con-
firmed by Prof. Cope. How long the care for the eggs continues is not
known. The larvte retain the gills for a varying period, but usually until
the animal is half-grown.

Family VI. SALAMANDRID^.

Body salamandriue in form. No persistent gills or gill-slits. Vertebrae
opisthocoelous. Vomers each with a long palatine process reaching back-
ward over the parasphenoid, bearing along its inner edge a single series of
teeth. No parasphenoidal teeth. Carpus and tarsus ossified. Our single
species red or olive above, with a series of red spots on each side of the
back.

As here defined, including Professor Cope's families Salamandridce and
Pletcrodelidce. It embraces from six to nine genera, of which we have
only the following :

45

(ienus DIEMYCTYLUS, Raf.

Diemyctyhis, Rafinesque, 1820,. 108, 5 ; Cope, 1889, 51, 202 ; 3Iolge,.
Merrem, 1820, 96, 1885; Boulenger, 1882, 28, 6.

Vomero-palatine teeth on inner margin of long backwardly projecting
palatine processes of vomers. No parasphenoidal teeth. Tongue small,
free only a little at the sides. An arch of bone connecting the squamosal
and frontal bones. Digits 4-5.

Diemyetylus viridescens, Eafinesque.

Green Triton; Newt.

Figure 6, PI. 1.

Trituriis (D.) viridescens, Rafinesque, 1820, 108, No. 22 ; Sahmandra
symmetrica, Holbrook, 1842, 54-, v, 57, pi. 17 ; Diemyetylus viridescens^
Cope, 1889, 51, 207, with figures ; Molge viridescens, Boulenger, 1882, 28,
21; D. viridescens. Gage, 1891, 22, 1103, with plate and complete syn-
onomy.

Body usually rounded and full, without a dorsal crest, but with a dis-
tinct sharp vertebral ridge. Distance from the snout to the axilla in
distance to groin 2 5 times. Head longer than broad, its width in dis-
tance to the groin about 3.5 times. Outlines of head converging in front
of the eyes to the rounded snout. Skull flat -above, with four ridges en-
closing three grooves; the outer ridge formed by the fronto-squamosal
arch. Sides of the head perpendicular. A row of three or four enlarged
pores behind the eye; these sometimes wanting. No gular fold. Tongue
small and fleshy, free a little at the sides Vomero-palatine teeth in two
rows, which meet between the choanae; then, diverging gradually, run
backward along the roof of the mouth to the back of the skull. Tail
constituting about one-half the entire length of the animal, more or less
compressed, and tapering to a point; in the breeding season furnished
above and below with a membrane-like fin.

Anterior limbs slender, the inner finger rudimentary. Hinder limbs
stout, the inner and the outer toes small. In the breeding season, black
callosities appear, in the case of the mature males, on the inner side of the
hinder limbs, on the bottoms of the feet, and at the tips of the toes, those
above forming transverse ridges.

The coloration of this species is so different at different periods of its
life that a specimen seen while immature and again when full-grown
would with difficulty be recognized as belonging to the same species. The
gilled larvae are olive of various shades, with black specks above ; below,
the color is almost uniform whitish. The metamorphosed, but still im-
mature specimens are, on the other hand, of an i)range color, varying to

46

Termilliou. The belly is somewhat paler. There may or may not be
small black specks on the upper surface ; while there are on each side of
the back about half a dozen crimson spots of the size of the pupil, each
surrounded by a black ring. Such young specimens are terrestrial in
their habits. The sexually mature individuals are generally of some
shade of olive, often having a reddish or yellowish tinge. The lower
surface is generally of a bright yellow. Both above and below are to be
seen numerous dots of black. In the breeding males some of these spots,
especially those on the tail, may enlarge and become more or less ocella-
ted. On each side of the back are the red spots surrounded by a black
ring. The red, immature specimens are generally quite rough above and
often below through the development, all over the skin, of small, pointed
papillffi.

The distribution of this species is from Maine to Hudson's Bay, Wiscon-
sin, Texas, and Georgia. Indiana localities are as follows: New Har-
mony (Samp.:on's Coll.), Brookville, where it is common (Hughes), Mt.
Carmel (L. M. Turner), Monroe County (Ind. Univ. Coll.), Terre
Haute (Evermann, Blatchley), Rochester, Fulton County (Dr. Vernon
Gould), Lake Maxinkuckee, Marshall County (Hay.)

The habits of this beautiful and interesting creature have been studied
by many naturalists, among them Dr. Hallowell, Prof. S. F. Baird, Prof.
E. D. Cope, Dr. Howard Kelly, Sarah P. Monks, Col. Nicholas Pike,
and Prof. S. P. Gage. The red form is so different from the sexually
mature, " viridescent " forn\ that it was originally described as a distinct
species under the name miniatus, and indeed was put by Rafiuesque in a
different subgenus. Prof. Baird i:)laced the forms in the same genus as
distinct species, but he recognized the close similarity existing between
the two. Prof. Cope as early as 1859 (1, '59, 122-128), expressed the
opinion that miniatus is only a state of viridescens ; yet in his check list of
1875 he gives the two forms as subspecies. Later (51, 207) he regards
them as "seasonal forms, which may be by reason of the environment
rendered permanent for a longer or shorter time." Dr. Howard Kelly
kept a number of the red miniatus in a dark box filled with wet moss and
saw them transform into the olive state characteristic of viridescens.
Sarah P. Monks observed the same change. Col. Nicholas Pike kept a.
number of the red ones where they could enter the water. After some
time they did this, and after about three months they lost the bright red
color, and in less than a year had the olive hue of viridescens. He, in
common with many others, believed that the viridescens form might
change back into the miniatus form.

Prof. S. P. Gage and wife of Cornell University have studied the
species most carefully. They have seen the eggs deposited, watched the
hatching of the larvse, their transformation into the red, immature, mini-
atus, aud the change of other specimens of these into the viridescens.

47

They believe that the terrestrial life continues until the autumn of the
third or the spring of the fourth year after hatching, and that when they
have once entered the water they do not again leave it unless the pool
dries up or there is a scarcity of food.

The eggs are fertilized internally, and, when laid, are glued to the
leaves of aquatic plants. Prof. Gage's observations seem to show that
only about six or eight eggs are laid after each pairing of the sexes.
After some days another batch may be laid. The time of deposition of
the eggs extends from the first week of April until at least the middle of
-June. Gage's statements to the effect that the eggs are attached singly
to the leaves of plants is confirmed by the observations of Cope and
Monks. Prof. Verrill, of Yale College, and Col. Pike, on the other
hand, state that the eggs are laid in masses containing from 25 to 150.
The larvre are active and timid. Their heads are not so broad as those of
the larvoe of the Ambystomas, with which they may be associated. Their
food consists of minute crustaceans, larval insects, and small snails. In
color and form they closely resemble the full-grown individuals, except
that they have three plumose gills, and the broad tail-fin extends forward
to the back of the head. The gills begin to be absorbed during the last
half of the August after hatching, the tail-fin is absorbed, and the larvpe
then often comes to the surface to obtain air. About September 1 the
now transformed young leave the water, hide away in the dirt and among
leaves, and acquire the yellow or red color. During the metamorphosis
the body appears to shrink considerably in size. I have seen, in the Na-
tional Museum, a number of specimens, 2.25 and 2.75 inches long, with
remains of gills, while red specimens, 1.75 inches long, entirely without
any trace of gills are common. Prof. Gage, however, finds that the larvse
are usually only about an inch and a half long at the time of their change.

Where found in abundance, the adult newts may be taken during all
the warmer months of the year ; and it is probable that they are active
during the whole year, unless the cold is too intense. They have been
seen swimming under ice an inch thick. They delight most in pools
which are fed by perennial springs. Their habits are not so nocturnal as
those of many of their kindred. They may be seen at all times of day
swimming about, climbing on aquatic plants, floating on the surface of
the water, and basking in the sunshine. The food of the adults consists
of insects, tadpoles, worms and mollusks. In confinement they become
quite tame, and will take pieces of beef or insects from a wire, opening
the mouth slowly, protruding the tongue, and gently pulling off the mor-
sel. One has been known to swallow a piece of earthworm twice its own
length, and to use its hands in holding its prey.

During the breeding season the colors are most intense, and the sexes
are at their best. The spots along the sides become flame-color, the belly
orange, while the male acquires a broad spotted crest along both edges of

48

the tail. At the same time the black callosities appear on the hind legs^
In their courtship the males are very active and very ostentatious. When
success is won, they seize the female around the body and remain thus for
an hour or more. Prof. Gage finds that the sexes pair in the fall as well
as in the spring.

The outer skin is frequently shed. It is pushed back from the head by
rubbing against objects ; sometimes the hands ai'e employed to efiect this
purpose. The process of moulting occupies about an hour and a half.
Samuel Lookwood (22, x, 11) has seen it free itself of the cuticle while
under the water ; immediately the little thing turned around and swallowed
the whole skin. Prof. Gage has seen the terrestrial form pull the
exuvium off the end of the tail and swallow it. It is also interesting that
the Newt can utter a faint shrill cry. The tail is extremely prehensile,
and may be employed to suspend the animal for some time. It has been
observed by Prof. Gage that during the aquatic stages the epithelium of
the mouth is of the non-ciliated variety, while during the 7niniatus stage
the epithelium is ciliated. Furthermore, the adults, while living in the
water enjoy a form of aquatic respiration, water being regularly taken
into the mouth and again expelled.

Order SALIEiN"TIA.

Batrachia having a frog-like, or toad-like form. All four limbs present,
the hinder greatly developed and fitted for leaping. Proximal elements
of tarsus elongated, so as to form an additional limb segment. Vertebrae
in front of the sacrum not exceeding nine. Ribs rarely present. No
tail in the adult state. A tympanic cavity present.

This order includes the frogs and toads. With rare exceptions, the
eggs are laid, fertilized, and hatched in the water. The young are familiar
to all as tadpoles. These breathe for a short period by means of external
gills, and for a longer time by internal gills. The intestines are long, the
mouth furnished with horny sheaths, and the lips with several rows of
horny teeth. By means of these, the little tadpoles are enabled to sup-
port themselves by scraping off the minute vegetable matter which covers^
objects in the water. As growth progresses, the limbs develop ; the fore
limbs, however, are for a long time concealed beneath the skin, and when
they break through, they appear to be produced suddenly. As the period
of metamorphosis approaches, the horny jaws and denticles are shed, the
mouth enlarges, the tongue appears, the intestine shortens, the tail is
absorbed, respiration by the lungs prevails, the gills disappear, and the
tadpole leaves the water and becomes a frog.

All regions of the world, except the very coldest and the very driest,
furnish representatives of this Order. Altogether there are about 800'

49

species described. All our species come uuder Prof. Cope's suborders
Arcifh-a and Firnmternia. Of the first, we have representatives of two
families; of the secoud, one family.

Kf.y to the Families of Salientia.

A. Clavicles* and coracoids of each side connected by an arched car-
tilage ; that of the one side overlapping that of the other,
(Areifera. )
a. Upper jaw without teeth ; digits without disks.

Biofonidce, p. 49,
aa. Upper jaw furnished with teeth.

b. Form frog-like ; toes and fingers with disks.

Hylklce, p. 52,

bb. Form toad-like ; digits without disks. Scaphiopodidce,

AA. Clavicles and coracoids of the one side firmly connected with those

of the other side by means of a narrow median cartilage,

{Firmisternia.)

a. Upper jaw with teeth. Ranidce, p. 64.

aa. No teeth on upper jaw. Engystomatidce.

Family VII. BUFONID^.

Both upper and lower jaws destitute of teeth. Vomerine teeth usually
absent. The diapophysis of the sacral vertebrae more or less expanded,
Vertebrse procoelous. Ribs none.

A widely distributed family, containing, according to Cope, fourteen
genera, of which we possess only one, Bufo.

Certain characters are very commonly possessed by the Bufonidce,.
Among these are a heavy squat form, short limbs, a rough, warty skin^
and a collection of integumentary glands lying behinh the head,, and
known as the paratoids.

GENUS BUFO, Laurenti.

Laurenti, 1768, 109, 25; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 281; Cope, 1889, 51,.
260.

iSTo vomerine teeth. Tympanum distinct or hidden. Toes webbed ;.
fingers free. Sacral diapophysis more or less dilated. Outer metatarsals
united.

'■'In order to understand the arrangements of the shoulder girdle on which the divisiors
of the Salientia into Arcifera and Firmisternia is based, the student ought to dissect this por-
tion of the common Toad, as a representative of the Arcifera, and the same portion of th&
Leopard Frog, as an example of the Firmisternia. The accompanying figures, 7 and 8, pi. 2,
will assist.

4

50

Bufo lentiginosus, Shaw.

Toad.

'Bufu lentiginosus, Shaw, 1803, 71, iii, 173; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 308;
Cope, 1889, 51, 277 and 289, with figures. B. musicus, Holbrook, 1842,
S4, V. 7, pi. 1.

Var. americanus. Bufo americanus, LeConte, 1838, 53, i, 75, pi. 9;
1842, 54-, v., 17, pi. 4; B. lentiginosus, var. americcmus, Boulenger, 1882,
27, 309; Cope, 1889, 51, 284, with figures.

Ysir. foivleri, B. lentiginosus fouieri, Putnam, 1889, 51, 279, with figures.

Form of body heavy and awkward. Head furnished above with more
or less conspicuous bony crests. Of these, two, the fron to-parietal, run
backward from the snout to the back of the head and embrace between
them a furrow. Immediately behind the orbits each of these is met at
■right angles by a crest, the postorbital, which runs outward and down-
ward behind the eye. From the lower end of the postorbital, a ridge,
ithe supra-tympanic, may pass backward over the tympanic disk.

Snout short and blunt, the outline in front of the nostrils perpendicu-
lar. Tympanic disk distinct, oval, smaller than the eye. Upper jaw
notched in the middle line. Paratoids elliptical, about as long as the
distance from the nostril to the postorbital crest. Heel reaching to the
eye or less. Toes half- webbed. Two metatarsal tubercles; the outer
.small, the inner large and with a cutting edge.

Skin on the upper surface everywhere provided with large and small
pointed warts; below rough with crowded, pointed granulations.

Color variable ; usually olive to brown, with irregular blotches and
spots of dark brown ; middle of the back with a light streak ; below
>dirty yellow. The upper surface is sometimes almost a uniform black ;
.^t other times ash-gray, showing the dusky spots with great distinctness.
•Occasionally a specimen is found with the tubercles, and even considera-
ble portions of the skin of a beautiful pink color. Other specimens may
he of a uniform brick-color above, pink below.

Males provided with a large vocal sac, which communicates with the
anouth by a slit on each side of the tongue. The toad may reach a length
of as much as five inches, including head and body. Females larger than
4he males.

Four varieties, or subspecies, of this animal are recognized by Prof.
Oope, three of which may be looked for within our borders. They may
be distinguished as follows :

Fronto-parietal crests lying closely together, parallel, posteriorily pass-
ing little if any beyond the postorbitals. No supra-tympanic crest ; a pre-
orbital ridge. Heel reaching beyond the muzzle. Size rather small.
Color grayish-olive ; vertebral line yellow. fotvleri.

51

Fron to-parietal crests diverging toward back of head, and passing some-
"what beyond the postorbitals. The hitter crests short ; ])reorbital not
-strong ; no supra-tympanic. Heel reaching the front of the orbit. Our
-common form. americanm.

Fronto-parietals diverging toward back of head, passing beyond the
postorbitals and expanding into a pair of knobs ; supra- tympanic well
developed. Head from snout to ends of crests contained in length to
vent 3.5 to 4 times. Southern. lentiginosus.

The common toad in its various forms has an extremely wide distribu'
tion, being known to occupy the whole of eastern North America, west
to Montana, Arizona, and Mexico. In Indiana the variety americanus is
everywhere distributed. The variety lentiginosus has not been reported
from any locality within the State, but may be looked for in the extreme
southern portion. The variety fowleri is known principally from speci-
mens found at Danvers, Mass., but Prof. Cope reports a specimen from
New Harmony. (See 51, 279.)

The toad is with us an extremely common animal. It is almost- a
synonym for ugliness, but its mild and inofleusive disposition has gained
for it some degree of toleration. Nevertheless, it still suffers much per-
secution, chiefly at the hands of untaught and thoughtless or cruel boys.

The toad appears in the spring when the warm days have fully come,
and it is seen until the approach of the cool days of the autumn. Soon
after emerging from its winter retreat, it repairs to the water for the pur-
pose of depositing its eggs. These are laid, not as those of the common
frog, in a shapeless mass, but in a long string, consisting of a double
series of eggs enveloped in a tube of gelatinous materials. Mr. E. E.
Crosby (22, vii, 574) says that the eggs of two specimens numbered re-
spectively 8,840 and 2,200. Prof. Cope states that the young hatch early
and are of a darker hue than is usual with other Salientia, but it is difficult
to see how they can be blacker than the lai'vse of Rana 2yipi&ns. The
length of the young mature toads is about one-half inch ; the color gray-
ish, with small dark-colored spots. The metamorphosis occurs about
July 10. The notes of the male toad are heard principally during the
breeding season. They may be represented by the syllables ur-r-r-r-r.

The habits of the toad are mostly noctural, although it is not uncom-
mon to see a toad hopping about in the daylight. Usually, however, they
hide away during the day in holes and obscure corners, and come forth at
evening to seek their food. This consists mainly of insects, and of these
enormous numbers are devoured. It is related (34., '73, 23) that one old
toad ate at one time twenty-three squash bugs, and on the top of these,
ninety-four caterpillars. On account of this propensity for devouring in-
sects, intelligent gardeners and farmers seek to induce toads to take up
their residence on their grounds. No boy should be permitted to destroy
this harmless animal. The prey is taken by suddenly projecting the

52

tongue from the mouth, and then withdrawing it with the insect sticking
to it. Besides insects, toads will eat eai'thworras, and small crustaceans,
while it is said that one attempted to swallow a wounded humming bird.
When the prey is large and difficult to swallow, the toad is said sometimes
to push it against the ground or a stone. One is described as pressing its
hand against its stomach, in order to hold down an earth worm that
threatened to escape. The toad is stated never to make leaps after its
prey, but to await until it has approached near enough to be reached by
the tongue.

The warty skin of the toad is full of large glands, which secrete a
thick whitish fluid. This has very acrid properties, and doubtless serves
to render the animal unpalatable to most of its enemies. It does not
seem, however, to protect it from snakes. It is said that this secretion
will make the mouth of dogs sore, and even to cause some inflammation
of the human skin. This last is doubtful. The skin of the frog is shed
at intervals, and the statement has been made that this skin is immediately
swallowed. During the winter the toad hibernates in holes and in the
mud.

Dr. J. A. Allen, of Cambridge, Mass., tells of some toads that were
taken in a torpid condition from the mud at the bottom of an old well.
Some of them were buried in the mud two feet deep, and he supposed
that they had been there ten or fifteen years, and probably longer. On
being taken out, they soon revived and hopped away.

Family VIII. HYLID^.

Upper jaw with teeth. Fingers and toes furnished with disks ; these
supported by the claw-like, terminal phalangeal bone. Transverse pro-
cess of sacrum expanded. Vertebrse procoelous.

According to Prof. E. D. Cope, this family contains 183 species, and
these he includes in 18 genera. They are distributed in all the great
faunal regions. Of these genera, we have only three.

Key to the Genera of Hylidce found in Indiana.

Fingers without a web. Toes fully webbed. Digital disks small.

Acris, p. 53.
Fingers Avebbed or not. Toes fully webbed. Digital disks larger.

Hyla, p. 55.
Fingers not webbed. Toes with little or no web. Disks small.

Choropkilus, p. 61.

53

Genus ACKIS, Dum. & Bib

J.cri'^, Dumeril & Bibrou, 1841, 7-^, viii, 506; Boulenger, 1882, ^7,
336 ; Cope, 1889, 51, 324.

Fingers free ; toes fully webbed, the tips of the digits with small disks.
Vomerine teeth present. Tongue with a notch behind. Tympanum
indistinct. Sacral process little expanded.* Closely allied to Hyla.

This genus contains but a single species, and this is abundant every-
where with us.

Acris gryllus, (LeConte).

Cricket Frog.

Rana gryllus, LeConte, 1825, 62, i, 282; Acris grylhis, Dum. & Bib.,
14, 507 ; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 336 ; Cope, 1889, 51, 324, with figures ;
Hylodes gi-yllus, Holbrook, 1842, 5^, iv. 131, pi. 33.

Variety crepitans.

Acris crepitans, Baird, 1855, 1, 59; Boulenger, 1. c. ; Cope, 1. c, 326,
"with figures.

Form frog-like. Length of head, measured to hinder edge of tym-
panic disk, in the length of body to vent three times. Snout pointed,
its length in length of body six times ; projecting beyond the lower lip.
Vomerine teeth in two patches between the choanse. Tongue broad,
ovate, with or without a notch behind. Males with a large gular sac,
which opens beneath the tongue. Tympanic disk seen with difficulty.
Skin of the back smooth, or with small or large tubercles. Belly and
thighs granulated ; throat smooth. Legs long, the heel passing near to
or beyond the snout. Two large metatarsal tubercles. Subarticular
tubercles well developed. Fingers without web ; toes webbed to near
the tips.

Color variable and subject to rapid changes. Usually the upper sur-
face is ashy-gray or brown. Occasionally green predominates, or there
is considerable of reddish, especially along the middle of the back.
Between the eyes there is a triangular spot of dusky, bordered with
green in life. The middle line is usually pale. The upper lip is spot-
ted with black. There is a blotch of dusky from the eye to the shoulder,
and a stripe of the same above and behind the fore legs. Legs cross-
barred Color below, white ; under jaw often dusky. The length of
large specimens is a little over one inch.

'■'Foot-note.— This character may easily be observed by making a transverse incision in
the skin of the back at the point where the iliac bones are connected with the vertebral
column ; that is. where the frog's back bends abruptly. The transverse process cleaned
of tissue, may then be compared with the same structure in the Common Tree-frog, Hyla
versicolor.

54

Two varieties, or subspecies, of this frog are recognized, as follows :

Skin of back neai'ly smooth ; hind foot from metatarsal tubercles^
longer than half the length of head and body. gryllus.

Skin of back considerably tuberculated Hind foot, from the meta-
tarsel tubercles, shorter than one-half the length of head and body,

crepitans.

The habitat of this species extends from New York to Florida, and
west to Nebraska and Texas. The variety gryllus is, for the most part.
Southern in its range, while crepitans is more Northern. In Indiana the
crepitans is found everywhere. The variety gryllus is in the National
Museum from Mt. Carmel, on the Wabash, and I have specimens taken
at Lake Maxinkuckee which correspond well to the descriptions of that
variety.

This little frog is one of our commonest batrachians. During the sum-
mer season it may be seen in numbers along all of our streams. I doubt if
it is often seen about the ponds or pools far from running water. It is
not thoroughly aquatic, but delights to spend its time amid the vegeta-
tion about the border of the water. When alarmed it will leap into the
water, but it often appears to become alarmed at its rashness and hastens
to reach the land again. When followed up, however, it will go to the
bottom and seek to conceal itself for awhile. Though belonging to the
" tree-frogs" it never ascends trees, and probably climbs only the shorter
grasses and water plants. It is a cheerful little creature, and on warm
days may constantly be heard executing its noisy song. This resembles
closely the striking together rapidly of two pebbles, and often, when
their singing has been interrupted by the passer-by, it may be started
again by clicking two stones sharply together.

This little chatterer appears very early in the spring, and it is my ob-
servation that it is to be found at all times during the summer. Numer-
ous specimens were found at Irvington on the 8th of March. The eggs
are probably laid about this time, although I do not know anything about
them. On the 16th of August I found numerous specimens of the tad-
poles of this species. They were found hiding in the vegetation at the
bottom of a small stream. They were in very different stages of devel-
opment, some with both the fore and the hind legs visible, others with
only short hind legs. The arrangement of the horny denticles about the
mouth of the larvse I found to be different from that of specimens of
Chorophilus triseriatus. In both species there are two rows of horny den-
ticles on the upper lip. On the lower lip, there are in the Chorophilus
three rows of denticles, but in Acris only two. Furthermore, in Choro-
philus the denticles are finely serrated at their tips ; in Acris this is not
the case. The teeth of the latter genus are less numerous than in the
former. The transformations occurred about September 1.

Dr. Holbrook states that the Cricket frog feeds on various kinds of

55

insects, and makes immeDse leaps to secure its prey and to escape pur-
suers. He says that it can be easily domesticated, and takes its food
readily from the hand. He kept several of them for months in a glass-
globe on a few sprigs of purslane, feeding them occasionally with flies r
their chirp was at times incessant, and sprinkling them with water never-
failed to render them more lively and noisy.

Dr. C. C. Abbott {22, xvi, 707) has studied the habits of this species-
in New Jersey. He found them extremely abundant along ditches^-
through meadows in the early spring, and very noisy. The eggs were-
deposited in little masses about May 1, and attached to blades of coarse
grass. After the eggs were laid the number of frogs rapidly diminished,
and by June 10 all were gone. Dr. Abbott, believes that all die, and.
that those which appear later come from the transformation of the tad-
poles. This occurs late in August. The frogs seem to be moderately
abundant about the middle of September, but they are then found along:
rapidly flowing brooks. He also thinks that the frogs do not eat during:
the autumn, Avhile in the early spring they are extremely voracious.

In this region I have found ihem during the whole summer, notably iai
August before the tadpoles of the year have transformed.

Genus HYLA, Laurenti.

Hyla, Laurenti, 1768, 109,^2; Boulenger, 1882,^7, 337; Cope, 188&^
51, 349.

Fingers wholly, partially, or not at all webbed. Toes more or lesss
webbed. The digits all provided with disks of larger or smaller size.
Vomerine teeth present. Tongue entire or notched behind. Tympanumi
usually distinct, sometimes, hidden. Sacral vertebrae, with its transverse-
processes more or less expanded.

The essential difierence between this genus and Acru lies in the amount::,
of expansion of the sacral diapophysis.

A large and widely distributed genus. North America possesses nine-,
of the species. Of these seven occur in the Eastern United States.

Key to the E. U. S. Species op Hyla.

A. Fingers one-third or one-fourth webbed.

Gray, olive, or green above ; a V-like mark between eyes and a large,.,

dark blotch on the back. Thighs yellow inside, and with dark:

mottling. Form stout. verdcolor, p. 56^

Brownish or green above, without spots. A white line on upper lip*

and along the sides. Thighs not mottled or spotted behind..

Form slender. carolinensis, Appendix^

56

B. Fingers webbed not at all, or only the outer with a narrow web.

a. Fingers entirely free.

Olive-brown above, green in life ; a stripe from eye along the
side to femur. Toes two-thirds webbed. Tympanum one-
third the eye. Rare. N. J. and S. C. andersonii.

Olive or green above, with small, irregular dark spots. A V-
shaped mark between the eyes. Toes one-half webbed.
Tympanum one-half the eye. squirella, p. 58.

Gray or olive above, with a X-shaped cross on the back. Thighs
not spotted behind. Tympanum one-half the eye. Toes one-
half webbed. ^jteA;eri?igfu, p. 58.

b. Outer fingers with a narrow web.

Resembles S. versicolor, but with a web between the outer fingers

.and with the thighs behind dusky and with yellow spots. S. C.

^ to Fla. femoralis.

"Purplish ash above, with numerous irregular dark spots. Limbs

barred ; thighs behind yellow, unspotted. Toes webbed to

penultimate phalanx. Tympanum one-half to two-thirds the

eye. Ga. to Fla. gratiosa.

Hyla versicolor, LeConte.
Chameleon Tree-Frog.

Hyla versicolor, LeConte, 1825, 62, i, 281 ; Holbrook, 1842, 54., iv,
115, pi. 28; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 372; Cope, 1889, 51, 373, with fig-
:ares.

Form heavy and almost toad-like. Head considerably broader than
long ; the snout rounded ; the space in front of the eye concave. Eyes
large and protruding. Tympanic disk about two-thirds the diameter of the
-eye. Tongue large, circular, notched behind. Vomerine teeth in two
-closely approximated patches lying between, or a little behind, the chonse.
Chest crossed by a broad fold of skin. Fingers and toes with disks nearly
:as large as the tympanum. Fingers with an evident membrane uniting
"them. Toes webbed to near the tips. The first finger opposed to the
a-est. On extending the hind leg along the side the heel attains the back
of the orbit.

Upper surface with numerous smooth warts ; belly and under surface
'Of thighs granulated. Males furnished with a large gular sac which opens
on each side under the tongue.

The color in life varies from olive to dark gray and green, varying with

tthe surroundings of the animal. Between the eyes there is a V pointing

backwards. On the back there is a large, somewhat cruciform blotch of

V dark color, and behind it another smaller blotch on each side. The limbs

57

^re marked with broad bars of browu. The groin and the front and
back of the thighs are bright yellow, over which is a network of brown
lines. The gular sac of the males is often brown.

The length of a lai'ge specimen, head and body, is sometimes two
inches.

This species occurs from Maine to Minnesota, and south to the Gulf and
Texas. It is not necessary to specify localities in our own State.

Prof. Cope has recorded a variety of this species from Mt. Carmel, 111.,
under the name of pluvocrypta. " The color is a dark brown, with three
rows of large approximated darker brown spots." Thighs yellowish brown,
with little darker brown.

Habits. — This species is by far our commonest representative of the
Mylidce. Although not often seen, it is heard by all, especially during the
early spring. The time of appearance in the spring varies with the lati-
tude and the weather. About Indianapolis I have heard them as early
&s the middle of April, and they may come from their winter quarters
even earlier. Their breeding habits have been described by Mary B.
Hinckley, as they are displayed in Massachusetts (^5, xxi, 104 and 309 ;
£2, xvi, 636). The adults emerge from their places of concealment from
May 1 to 10. The eggs begin to be deposited immediately, and this pro-
ceeds until July 4. The eggs are attached singly or in small groups to
the grasses growing in the water near the shores. These eggs have ex-
tremely little gelatinous matter around them. The development of the
tadpoles goes on with great rapidity, being accomplished within forty-
eight hours. Wheu hatched, the tadpoles are a quarter of an inch long,
^nd of a pale yellow color, dotted on the head and sides with olive. Later
the olive hue prevails, and there are markings of gold. The external
gills appear and are resorbed during the first week. The "holders"
disappear within the first ten days. The tadpoles do not huddle together.
The hind legs appear at the age of three weeks. At that time the belly
is iridescent, the back metallic, and the tail may be of a bright red.
Soon, however, the color changes to a greenish, and by the time the met-
amorphosis has been completed, the color is a bright green. The arms
appear during the eighth week. At this time they eat little food. They
.abandon the water from the 19th to the 24th of July, and their size is
small. They betake themselves immediately to shrubbery and ascend it.
They were seen to catch small spiders and to eat plant-lice. Some that
were kept in a fernery gave evidence that they are nocturnal. Their
green color is retained for about three months, when the frogs become
gray. The black markings are not developed until after the young have
forsaken the water.

The Tree-frog has a loud voice and may be heard during damp
weather. It passes its time on trees, fences, and among vines, and it
has the power of adapting its colors to the objects among which it lives.

58

The changes are said to occur slowly. These changes of color enable it
to escape the notice of its enemies. These frogs appear to hibernate
sometimes in the earth and sometimes in crevices in trees.

Hyla squirella, Bosc.

Squirrel Tree-frog.

Hyla squirella, Bosc, 1802, 57, ii, 181 ; Holbrook, 1842, 5^, iv, 123,.
pi. 30 ; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 398 ; Cope, 1889, 51, 363, with figures.

A species of small size, the length seldom exceeding an inch and a
quarter. The body and limbs slenderer than in either H. versicolor or
M. pickeringii. The snout is somewhat pointed ; eyes prominent ;
tympanum about one-half the diameter of the eye. Vomerine teeth
between the choanse. Head broader than long. Fingers without web ;
toes half-webbed. Heel reaching in front of the eye. Skin of the
upper surface smooth ; of the belly, thighs, and sometimes of the chin
and throat, granulated.

Color above in life said to be green ; below, white. In spirits, light
brown or purplish. There is a V-shaped mark joining the eyes and
several scattered spots of the size of the tympanum on the back. A
dark band from the snout to the eye, thence through the ear to the
shoulder. Below this there is a narrow light line. Limbs indistinctly
barred.

The snout of this species is less projecting than in H. pickeringii; the
tympanum larger and more distinct.

Until recently this species has been known only from South Carolina
and west to Louisiana. Recently, however, a specimen was sent to
Professor Cope by Mr. Amos W. Butler, from Brookville, Indiana.
This gives a remarkable extension to the range of the species.

Of this frog Holbrook says that it is found on trees, often seeking
shelter under the bark of such as are decayed. It frequently chooses
old logs for the place of its hibernation. He had often seen them about
old houses and under logs and boards.

Hyla pickeringii, (Storer).
Pickering's Tree-frog.

Hylodes pickeringii. Storer, 1839, 5S, 240 ; Holbrook, 1842, 54, iv,
135, pi. 34; Hyla pickeringii, LeConte, 1854, 1, 429, pi. 7; Boulenger,
1882, 27, 399 ; Cope, 1889, 51, 352, with figures.

Head a little longer than broad ; snout rather pointed ; the canthus
rosti-alis distinct ; the loral region concave. luterorbital space wider
than the eyelid. Tympanum distinct, about half the diameter of the

59

eye. Tougue free behind, rounded and slightly notched. Vomerine
teeth in two patches, a little behind the choana?. Males furnished with*
a large gular sac, which opens into the mouth by a slit each side of the
tongue. Fold of skin on the breast conspicuous or not. Fingers and-
toes with well-developed discs. Fingers entirely without webs. Toes
half webbed. Hinder limb, when pressed to side, bringing the heel tO'
the eye. Two distinct tubercles on the heel ; subarticular tubercles^
present. Skin nearly smooth above, granulated on the chest, belly and'
the under surface of the thigh.

Color above varying from ash to brown and reddish. On the back is
an X of narrow dusky lines, these beginning at the eyes and terminating
on the sides just before the insertion of the thighs. On each side of the
body, opposite the intersection of the lines of the X, begins another
dusky line, which runs parallel with the corresponding line of the X.
Between the eyes is a very open V. A dusky band runs from the snout
to the eye, and seems to be continued over the tympanum and the fore
leg, and fades out along the side. Edge of the upper lip pale, but
mottled Avith dusky. Some specks of brown on the breast and throat.
Gular sac of male brown, at least in the spring. Fore legs of the color
of the body, and with indistinct bars. Thighs mottled, tibise barred,,
feet mottled. The young frogs, with bodies three-fourths of an inch in>
length, are of a fine straw color, with the usual brown markings.

Length a little over one inch.

Known to occur from Maine {18, 101) to Manitoba and south to Soutle
Carolina and Indiana. Specimens of this frog have been taken in the-
vicinity of Bloomington by the late Charles H. Bollman. Professor
Blatchley reports having taken four specimens at Terre Haute, and there
was a specimen from there in the Normal School collection. I have it
also at the hands of Mr. A. B. Ulrey, from North Manchester, Wabash
County. I have also received a specimen from Brookville, at the hands
of Mr. Ed. Hughes. It will, no doubt, be found ultimately in all por-
tions of the State.

Prof. Cope states that this is our most abundant species of Hyla, but
that it is more generally known by its voice than by its appearance'
" After the rattling of the Acris gryllus in the marshes and river banks is
fairly under way, during the first bright days of spring, the shrill cry or
whistle of this little creature begins to enliven the colder swamps and
meadows of the hill country. Difierent individuals answer each other
with difierently toned voices of a single note. This is exceedingly shrill
and loud ; the muscular force employed in expelling the air from the
lungs seems to collapse the anim.al's sides till they nearly meet, while the
gular sac is distended with each expulsion to half the size of the head and
body together. They are chiefly noisy in the end of the afternoon, but
in shady situations or on dark days may be heard through the morning

60

and noon. When the breeding season is over they may still be found,
but with difficulty, among fallen leaves in low places, where their color
admirably adapts them for concealment, or in cellars, or on the ground in
the woods. Not till the near approach of autumn do we have evidence
of their ascent into the trees. Then, when the wind is casting the first
frosted leaves to the ground, a whistle, weaker than the spring cry, is
heard, repeated at intervals during the day, from one part of the forest to
another, bearing considerable resemblance to the note of the purple finch,
uttered as it is while flying. These voices are heard during the same
season, that of the Hyla being distinguishable as slightly coarser, or more
like a squeak. Both are associated with the weak chirp of the late Den-
dreeca coronata as it gleans its insect food on its southern flight. These are
the latest sounds of autumn, and soon disappear before the steady advance
of the ice king." (Cope, 51, 354.)

DeKay {30, 69) says that this species is abundant in the neighborhood
of New York, and that they are often to be seen on Indian corn and grape
vines, and in greenhouses, under the leaves of plants during the heat of
summer. He says that they feed on small flies ; but it is not probable
that they restrict themselves to such small creatures. Mr. S. P. Fowler
sent the editors of the American Naturalist a beautiful fawn-colored spec-
imen, which he had found imbedded in a heap of grass in his garden on
November 25.

The eggs are laid in bunches of from 4 to 10, and are about one-twelfth
of an inch in diameter. The eggs and larv» in various stages of devel-
opment are figured by Prof. Baird in Cope's " Batrachia of N. A." He
states that the eggs are laid May 15. Smith says {18, 707,) that in
Maine the eggs are deposited in April. According to Prof. Baird's state-
ments, the young are able to swim within four days. For further details
on breeding habits see Miss Hinckley's paper in Mem. Bost. Loc. Nat.
Hist., vol. V, pp. 311-318.

Some larv?e of pickeringii which I have examined in the National
Museum, at Washington, and which had the tail of full size, were a little
less than an inch in length. Other young which had just transformed
were only seven-sixteenths inch long. Prof. Blatchley reports finding
this frog at Terre Haute, April 8, at the margin of a pond, to which they
had evidently resorted in order to deposit their eggs. Two were kept in
captivity several weeks, and regularly at 8 p. m. they began their piping
notes, and kept them up about an hour. After this they were silent until
the next evening. The gular sac would be inflated until it was two-thirds
as large as the animal itself, when the air would be forced out, producing
the notes. (OJ^, '91, 27.)

61

Genus CHOROPHILUS, Baird.

ChoropJuliis, Baird, 1854, 1, 59; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 332; Cope,
1889, ol, 331 ; Hehecetes, Baird, 1, 1854, 59.

Fiugers free from web. Toes with little or no web. Digital disks
all small, but the phalanx with a strong claw. Vomerine teeth present.
Tongue round or oval, slightly notched behind. Tympanic disk distinct.
Sacral vertebra with its transverse process slightly expanded.

This genus contains some six species, all except one belonging to North
America.

Key to the North American Species of ChorojMlus

A. Upper jaw projecting beyond the rounded lower; profile pointed.

Width of head in length of head and body 2.5 to 2.66 times;

nostrils half way from tip of snout to eye. Texas. ornatus.
Width of head in length 3 to 3.5 times; nostrils nearer tip of

snout than orbit ; no subarticular tubercles. Georgia to Texas.

occidentalis.
Width of head in length 2.8 to 3.66 times ; subarticular tubercles

well developed ; upper surface usually with 3 to 5 dark stripes

or rows of spots ; nostrils nearer tip of snout than orbit.

Eastern United States. nigritus, p. 61.

B. Upper jaw not projecting beyond the almost V-shaped lower;

profile truncated ; length two-thirds inch. South Carolina.

ocularis,

Chorophilus nigritus, (LeConte).
Striped Tree-frog.

Variety, nigritus. Rana nigrita, Leconte, 1825, 62, 282 ; Cystignathtcs
nigritus, Holbrook, 1842, 5^, iv, 107, pi. 26 ; Chorophilus nigritus, Baird^
1854, 1, 60 ; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 333 ; Cope, 1889, 51, 337, with figures,

Yarietj, feriarum. Helcecetes feriarum, Baird, 1854, 1, 59 ; Chorophilus
feriarum, Cope, 1889, 51, 339, with figures.

Yarietj, triseriatus. JHyla triseriata, Wied, 1839, 63, 249; Chorophilus
triseriatus. Cope, 1875, 12, 30 ; 1889, 51, 342 ; G. 8eptentrix)nalis, Bou-
lenger, 1882, 27, 335, pi. 23, fig. 1.

Length of head and body seldom exceeding an inch and a quarter.
Head having its length equal to its breadth or greater. Tympanum
distinct, about one-half the diameter of the eye. Tongue emarginate
behind. Vomerine teeth between, or slightly behind the choanee.
Males furnished with a. conspicuous gular sac, which is capable of con-
siderable inflation, and opening into mouth by a slit each side the base

62

X)f the tongue. A conspicuous fold of skin across the breast. Fingers
-with, at most, a rudiment of a web. Toes with a slight web at their
basal joints. Disks of all the digits small. Limbs of quite variable
length, the heel reaching only to the tympanic disk, or to the nostril.
Skin almost everywhere granulated, finely on the back, more coarsely on
the lower surface.

General color, varying from light ash to fawn and purplish-brown ;
below, cream color. On the back and sides there may, in nearly all
specimens, be seen five dark stripes or rows of spots. One beginning
on the head, runs along the back, often forking on the urostyle. On
the head, this stripe may expand so as to involve the eyelids, or there
may be spots on the lids distinct from the median stripe. On each side
of this dorsal stripe is another, which begins behind the eye and ceases
just in front of the thigh. Another stripe begins on the snout, runs
through the eye, over the tympanic disk and the shoulder, and fades out
-along the side. A whitish line runs along the upper lip to the shoulder.
Sometimes the median and the lateral bands next it may be broken up
into distinct spots, or these bands may be obsolete. The limbs are more
• or less barred or spotted with dusky.

Under the name nigritus I have included forms which are assigned by
Prof. Coj)e to three distinct species, nigritus, feriarum, triseriatus. I do
/SO because, at the present time, I do not think that the distinctions are
sufficiently constant to characterize species. That the student may
recognize the forms and accord them specific value, if he so desires, I
state the differences.

Snout acuminate; width of head in length of head and body 2.8 to 3
times; heel reaching in front of orbit; size larger; color leaden or fawn,
with three rows of dark spots above; these sometimes united into con-
tinuous bands. South Carolina to Mississippi. nigritus.

Snout shorter ; width of head in the length 3 to 3.25 times ; heel reach-
ing to front of orbit ; length of body in total length of hind leg, from
1.40 to 1-70; color ash or brownish, eyelids involved in median stripe,
three parallel stripes above, seldom interrupted. Eastern United States
to Illinois. feriarum.

Snout drawn out; width of head in length 3.5 to 3.6 times; heel
preaching only to tympanic disk ; length of body in total length of hind
leg, 1.24 to 1.50 times; color ash to brown, with three parallel dark
stripes, the median often forking behind ; a distinct spot on each eyelid.
New Jersey to New Mexico and Idaho. triseriatus.

G. ni^gritus is chiefly or wholly southern, feriarum eastern, and triseria-
tus, the short-legged and peaked-nosed form, mainly western, in distribu-
tion. All that I know of from Indiana belong to the variety feriarum.
These have been taken at Brookville (Ed. Hughes), Brooklyn, Morgan
County (W. P. Hay), Wheatland (Nat. Mus. coll.); Irvington; Terre

63

Haute (Blatchley), New Harmony and Mt. Vernon (Max. von Wied,
lOS, xxii, 118) ; Wabash and Kosciusko counties (A. B. Ulrey).

This species appears to be rather rare in Indiana, but its rarity may be
more apparent than real, since many of these animals have the faculty of
effectually concealing themselves from the eye of the collector. In Indi-
ana the variety feriarum lays its eggs about the 20th of March. The
writer has described the life history of this little frog (23, xxiii, 770, with
plate). Its eggs were found in a small pool on the 22d of March. They
were attached to twigs in small and large bunches. Each egg was one-
third inch in diameter, including the usual coating of jelly. In the egg
the larva has a strong dorsal flexure, and has the tail thrown over the
back. The tadpoles were set free on April 5. They are slenderer than
the larvse of the Leopard Frog, and not so dark in color. They are dark
gray, rather than black. The external gills are small and quickly ab-
sorbed. They spend much of their time sticking to objects by means of
their ' ' holders," but very soon these organs disappear, and they then anchor
themselves by means of their sucker-like mouths. The rudiments of the
hinder limbs appear about the 20th of April. At the same time two
rows of horny teeth appear on each lip, and a few days later an addi-
tional row on the lower lip. These teeth are minutely deticulated at
their tips, and they form an admirable apparatus for scraping off the
layer of nutritious slime that covers all objects in the water. There are
from 55 to 95 of these teeth in each row.

As the tadpoles grow older the body becomes broader and the tail
acquires a broad fin. By April 20 the length has become one half inch,
and by May 4 about three-quarters. The body is of a dark color,
adorned with numerous blotches of gold. The belly is nearly covered
with a shimmer of gold and coppery. When three-fourths inch long the
young were observed to come to the surface and to take in air.

By the 20th of May the young have attained the total length of a little
•over an inch. Many of them about this time succeed in releasing their
forelegs from the skin which has held them down. Now the tadpoles
grow smaller instead of larger. This is largely due to the shortening of
"the intestine at this period of transformation. These four-legged tad-
poles are very lively and very timid. They show a great inclination to
get out of the water and to hop about. They soon lose their skill in
-swimming, and if confined to the water too long will drown. The disks
are seen on their fore feet as soon as these feet appear. The tails are rap-
idly absorbed, and by the 12th of June all have become little frogs like
the adults, except in size. At the time of transformation the length of
the head and body is less than one-half inch.

This species, though called a tree-frog, probably never climbs trees.
They seem to live on the ground among the fallen forest leaves and in the
jgrass. Prof. Oope states that it will leap into the water when alarmed,

64

but will not stay there long. He also describes the note of triseriatus,.
which I have not heard. It is said to resemble that of the Cricket Frog,
although not so loud. It may be imitated by drawing a point strongly
across a coarse comb, holding them at the bottom of ajar and bringing
them rapidly to the top. The same authority says that the note is
uttered in the hottest part of the day.

Family IX. RANID^.

Upper jaw furnished with teeth. Vomerine teeth present or absent.
Transverse process of sacral vertebra little or not all expanded. Verte-
brae procoeolus. Ribs none. A large family, of some 20 genera and
about 250 species. They belong chiefly to the Old World. Our species
belong to the

Grenus RANA, Linnasus.

Rana, Linnieus, J 758, 6^, ed. x, 354; Boulenger, 1882, 37, 6; Cope,.
1889, 51, 393.

Teeth on upper jaw and on vomers. Tongue free behind and notched.
Tympanum usually distinct, sometimes hidden. Fingers free. Toes
webbed. Outer metatarsals separated by a web.

Contains more than a hundred species, living in all countries except
southern parts of South America and New Zealand. Cope assigns thir-
teen species to North America.

Key to the E. U. S. Species of Rana.

A. Without a black ear patch.

Dorso-lateral dermal folds present ; heel reaching nearly to the muz-
zle or beyond it ; back with well defined dark brown, pale edged
oval or round spots. pipiens, p. 65.

Dorso-lateral dermal folds large, with smaller ones between ; heel to
front of orbit ; tympanum one-half the diameter of eye ; brown
spots so large as to reduce ground color to a net-work of narrow
lines ; three phalanges of fourth toe without web,

areolata circulosa, p. 68.

Dorso-lateral dermal folds four ; the quadrate spots of back in rows ;
two phalanges of fourth toe free of web ; heel to front of orbit, or
sometimes to muzzle. palustris, p. 67.

Dorso-lateral dermal folds present ; tympanum one-half size of eye,
or even larger than eye ; hind foot longer than tibia or femur ;
large dark spots on back. septentrionalis. Appendix.

Dorso-dermal folds present ; skin of back rough ; tympanum nearly
as large as eye, or larger; toes webbed nearly to tips; heel not
reaching muzzle ; dark blotches on back ; size moderate.

clamata, p. 69.

65

No dorso-dermal folds ; tympanum usually as large as eye, or larger;,
toes webl)ed to tips ; usually some blotches above ; size large.

catesbiana, ji. 70.
B. Side of head with a black patch.

Head in distance from snout to vent 3.5 times; tympanum one-half
the eye ; skin of middle of back smooth ; heel to middle of orbit.

canfabrigevsis. Appendix.
Head in length 3 times; tympanum two-thirds the diameter of eye;
skin of middle of back rough ; heel to muzzle or more.

sylvatiea, p. 71,

Sana pipiens, Gmel.
Leopard Frog.

Rana pipiens, Gmelin, 1788, 123, 1052 ; Rmia virescens, Cope, 1889^
31, 397, with figures ; Rana halecina, Schreber, 1782, 66, 185 ; Holbrook,,.
1842, o4, iv, 91, pi. 22; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 41.

A very common, widely distributed and variable frog. Head varying
in relativ^e length, being contained in the length of head and body froni
2.5 to 3.5 times. Vomerine teeth in two slightly oblique patches betweeru
the choanre. Tympanum about as large as the eye. Heel reaching to
the muzzle or a little beyond. A pair of prominent dorso-lateral folds
starting behind the eyes and running to the end of the body. Between
these may be two or more thinner folds. None of these folds are as broad
as those of R. palustris. Another glandular fold runs from the corner of
the mouth to the shoulder. No, or an inconspicuous, branch meeting
this from the dorsal-lateral fold behind the tympanum.

Ground color ashy, olive or bright green above ; below uniform white
or yellowish. The upper surface with a number of rounded or oval brown
spots of small to medium size, and these usually bordered with yellowish.
The spots between the dorsolateral folds are larger, and may be arranged
in two or three rows, or may be irregularly placed. Outside these fold*
are two or three rows of smaller spots. The upper surfaces of the limba
are more or less conspicuously barred or spotted. Length of head and.
body of full grown specimens three to four inches.

Most of the males of this species have vocal sacs, which open by at
small slit near the angle of the mouth. These sacs appear to be pro-
truded through the slits, and serve to render the voice more powerfuL
Of this species Prof. Cope recognizes four subspecies, three of which may
occur in our region. It must, however, be u"nderstood that forms inter-
mediate are likely to be found.

Head long, contained in the length to vent 2.5 to 3 times; snout
long and pointed ; males with external vocal vesicles ; heel reaching be-
yond tip of snout ; web of foot leaving three phalanges of fourth toe

66

&ee ; spots of small size, scarcely bordered with pale ; no longitudinal
band on the front of femur. Mostly in Southern States, sphenocephala.

Head of medium length, contained in length 3 times; snout pointed;
males with vocal vesicles ; heel reaching tip of snout ; web of foot leaving
-two phalanges of fourth toe free ; spots of medium size, bordered with
pale color ; femur with a longitudinal band ; tibial bars divided into two
■TOWS of spots. Maine to Mexico, but mostly in E. U. S. jnpiens.

Head short, contained in the length 3.5 times; snout obtuse; vocal
■vesicles rudimentary ; web of foot leaving nearly three phalanges free ;
spots larger and widely bordered with yellow; cross bars of tibia com-
plete ; no longitudinal bar or femur. Maine to Oregon and Mexico, but
mostly Western U. S. hrackijcephala.

This species, as represented by its diiferent varieties, is distributed. all
over the eastern portion of the United States and we.«t to Oregon, Nevada
and Mexico. The variety sjihenocephala is chiefly southern in its range,
pipiens (jviresceyis of Cope) eastern and northern, and brachycephala west-
ern. Neither is confined, however, to these limits. With us'the common
form is pipien^, and it is everywhere abundant. SphenocepJiala is in the
National Museum from Wheatland, lud., and to this I refer one specimen
from Lake Maxinkuckee, which I find in the collection of the State Nor-
mal School. One specimen in the same collection and taken at Camden,
Carroll County, had some of the characteristics of brachycephala. The
ihead is contained nearly 3.5 times in the total length. Three specimens
brought from Wabash County have the length of the head in length of
head and body only 2.66 times. These might be referred to sphenocephala.

The Leoj)ard Frog is our commonest, best known, and most beautiful
:frog. It is likewise the one that first makes its appearance when in the
•<early spring the ice has relaxed its hold on the waters of our ponds and
rstreams. Its cry is one of the earliest of the vernal notes. Indeed, it is
310 unusual thing, during an open winter, to hear its croak during the
■warmer days of midwinter. Its notes are of a varied kind. Prof Cope
aays that its voice may be imitated by the syllables chock, chock, chock;
but at times it has a cry that sounds like derisive laughter, and again, a
sort of low, querrulous tone. Dr. Garnier (22, '83, 949) speaks of its
""lugubrious and dismal love notes." Soon after it leaves its winter
<quarters, it proceeds to lay and fertilize the eggs. These are extremely
numerous, and are laid in great masses, consisting of the small eggs en-
veloped in a large quantity of jelly. One pole of the egg is white, the
other black. I have record of the deposition of the eggs at Irvington on
March 18, and of the escape of the larvae by April 1. The latter are five-
isLxteenths inch long; of this one-half is the broad tail. The numbers of
these to be seen sometimes in ponds is astonishing. These tadpoles grow
rapidly And transform during the first summer of their lives.

67

This frog is exceedingly active, aud is capable of making leaps of 8 to
10 feet. They frequent ponds and streams, but they also leave these and
travel to considerable distances in the search of suitable food. When
thus traveling about they are much exposed to the attacks of snakes.
Their intense green color must serve them well as a means of concealment
from their enemies. Like other frogs they pass the winter buried in the
mud at the bottoms of ponds and streams.

Rana palustris, LeConte.

Swamp Frog.

Bana palustris, LeConte, 1825, 62, i, 282 ; Holbrook, 1842, 54, iv, 95,
pi. 23 ; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 42 ; Cope, 1889, 51, 406, with figures.

This species is very closely related to Rana pipieiu, and especially re-
sembles the variety bracJujcephala The head is relatively longer than in
the variety last named, being contained in the length of head and body
3 times. The snout is usually obtuse, although not always so. Vomerine
teeth in two nearly transverse patches between the choanje. The tym-
panum is about two-thirds the diameter of the eye. The males have no
external vocal vesicles, although Boulenger says that they have internal
vesicles. The glandular folds of the back are especially well developed,
being unusually broad. Of these the dorso-lateral are most conspicuous.
They begin at the upper eyelid and run back to the hinder end of the
body. Nearer the middle line and just behind the eyes two other folds
begin, but appear to die out near the pelvic hump. Their places are there
taken by two folds which lie close to the urostyle. All these folds are
breader than in specimens of Rana pipiens. Above the tympanum-the
dorso4ateral fold gives off a branch which curves down behind the tym-
panum and meets another fold starting at the mouth and terminating at
the shoulder.

The hind leg contains the length of the body 1.66 times. When the leg
is pressed to the side the heel reaches the snout, or somewhat less. The
web is deeply scalloped, and on the fourth toe leaves three phalanges free.
The tubercles of the palm and of the sole are greatly developed.

The ground color is a pale brown or ashy above ; below, yellowish
white. Nearly the whole of the upper surface is covered with squarish
spots of dark brown. The dorso-lateral folds are of the ground color.
Within these there are two quite regular rows of the quadrate spots ; the
interspaces of these are much narrower than the diameter of the spots.
Sometimes two or more of these spots coalesce so as to make a band.
There is a spot on the snout and another on each eyelid. Outside of the
dorso-lateral folds on each side is a row of spots like those of the back,
but somewhat smaller. Lower down on the side is still another row of
smaller and more irregular spots. On the upper jaw is a white streak

68

from the snout to the shoulder. Upper apd lower lips are mottled. The
arms are spotted. The hind limbs are conspicuously barred from the
groin to the toes. The posterior surface of the thighs is bright yellow,
spotted with brown.

This species is found from New Brunswick west to Iowa, and south to
Louisiana. It has been reported to me as occurring at Brookville
(Hughes), and at BJoomington (Bollman). I have not seen the sj^eci-
mens from either of these places. In the State Normal School collection
are two specimens that were taken at Lake Maxinkuckee. I have twa
specimens taken at Irvington, which I refer to this species with some
doubt.

I have been able to learn little about the special habits of this frog.
Prof. Cope tells us that it is a more solitary frog than R pipiens ; that it
prefers cold springs, and that it is seen in the grass more frequently than
any others of our frogs, its note is likewise said to be a low prolonged
croak, somewhat resembling the sound of tearing some coarse materiaL
Some authors tell us that it has a strong, disagreeable smell.

Bana areolata circulosa, R. and D.

Soosier Frog.

Rana circulosa, Rice and Davis, 1878, 67, ed. ii, 355; Cope, 1889, 51,.
413, with figures.

Rana areolata, as defined by Prof Cope, is made up of four subspecies.
Of these three belong to the Southern States, the fourth, circulosa, was
originally described from specimens taken in Benton County, Ind. The
species is characterized by a large, broad head, a short leg, imperfect pal-
mation, and its peculiar coloration. The length of the head is one-
third or more of the length, and its breadth is equal to, or greater than,
its length. The leg, when pressed to the side, brings the heel only to the
eye. The web is deeply scalloped and leaves three phalanges of the
fourth toe free. Above, on each side, is a strong glandular fold, and be-
tween these there are several thin folds.

In circulosa the head is one-third of the length to the vent, and quite
flat. The tympanic disk is oval or circular and only one-half the diameter
of the eye. Between the dorso-lateral folds are six to eight narrow folds,
and these may disappear in alcohol.

The striking thing about these frogs is their coloration. The spots
found on the upper surfaces of their relatives, jB. pipiens and palustris,
have here become so expanded that they cover nearly the whole area.
The ground color of yellowish is reduced to a network of narrow lines, or
circles. Posteriorly in large specimens the lines of the net-work are
broader and browner, and have a border of a lighter color. The spots
themselves are of a reddish brown color. No light streaks about the

69

head. Upper lip marbled with brown and yellow. Fore limbs mottled.
Hind leg, including tbigli, tibia, and foot, with wide bars of dusky and
very narrow interspaces. Below, the color is uniform yellowi'-h.

Found in northern portions of Indiana and Illinois. Described origin-
ally from a specimen which was found in Benton county, Indiana, by E.
F. Shipman. About the size of R pvpmu, but one specimen in the
National Museum is nearly five inches long from snout to vent.

Rana claraata, Daudin.
Green Frog.

Rana chtmata, Daudin, 1803, 69, 104; Bouleuger, 1882, 27, 36 ; Cope,
1889, 51, 419, with figures ; Rana clamatans, Holbrook, 1842, 54., iv, §)0,
pi. 20.

Head broad and flattened, contained in the length of head and body
about three times. Snout rounded. Eyes large and protruding.
Vomerine teeth in two patches, the posterior edges of which project
behind the line joining the hinder borders of the choanse. Tympanic
disk usually as large as the eye, sometimes larger ; occasionally,
especially in the females, somewhat smaller than the eye. A groove
passes from the back of the eye over the tympanic disk and downward
behind it, and terminates in front of the arm. There are present two
dorso-lateral glandular folds. These start at the upper eyelids and run
back to the pelvic region. Over the tympanic disk a branch is given
off which passes down behind the disk and terminates over the arm.
The groove described above lies between the disk and the branch. The
skin of the back and sides is more or less rough. This roughness is
produced by minute, sharp-pointed, wart-like elevations, those along the
fiides largest.

Hind limb, when pressed to the side, bringing the heel between the
eye and snout. Third toe longer than the fifth. Toes webbed nearly to
the tips. Subarticular and one metatarsal tubercles moderately devel-
oped.

Color above varying from greenish olive to brown ; in life often bright
green toward the head. On the back there are usually numerous small
nearly circular blotches of dark brown, and larger ones on the sides.
These are not spots, light bordered and definite, as those of R. pipiens,
but look as if the color had run into the surrounding skin. The hind
legs are crossed by narrow bars or rows of spots. The hinder surface of
the thighs is granulated and of a yellow color, with spots and mottlings
of black. The lower jaw and throat are marbled with brown, otherwise

70

pale below. This species may be distinguished from R. catesbiana by the
presence of the two dorsal folds. The length of head and body may be
greater than three inches.

Distributed over the Eastern United States at least to the plains.
Found all over Indiana in abundance.

This frog is thoroughly aquatic and lives along streams, in pools and
in cold springs. It probably never leaves the water to travel any con-
siderable distance. It is rather solitary, never collecting in such
numbers as do the individuals of R. pijnens. They are timid, and when
surprised by the stroller they leap, with a cry, into the water. Its voice
may be represented by the syllable "chung." DeKay states that its
note is more sonorous and in a lower key than that of the Bull-frog. The
tadpoles of this species require two years for their development. Before
the tail has been absorbed this species may be distinguished from larvse
of the Bull-frog by the presence of the dorsal glandular folds. When the
fore limbs have appeared, the total length of the tadpole is about two
and a half inches. The larvse are stated to live on soft vegetable sub-
gtances and never to be carnivorous.

B,ana catesbiana, Shaw.
Bull-frog.

Rana catesbiana, Shaw, 1802, 71, iii, 106, pi. 27 ; Boulenger, 1882, 27^
36; Cope, 1889, 51, 424, with figures; Rana jyipieyis, Harlan, 1825, 4-7,
62; Holbrook, 1842, 54, iv, 7'^, pi. 18 (not of Gmelin).

Attaining the largest size of any of our frogs, the body becoming in
some cases 8 inches long, and the length of head, body and legs 18
inches. Head contained in the length 3 times or less ; usually somewhat
broader than long ; sides of head sloping outward ; snout rounded.
Vomerine teeth projecting little behind the choanse. Tympanic disk the
size of the eye or even larger. Skin of the back smooth or minutely
rough. Heel reaching to the front of the eye. Fourth finger slightly
longer than the first. Third toe longer than the fifth. Toes webbed to
the tips. There are no dorso-lateral glandular folds. A glandular fold
begins at the upper eyelid, runs over and behind the tympanic disk, and
in front of the arm, ending on the breast. Between it and the tympanic
disk is a sharp groove.

The color of the upper surfaces in alcohol varies from reddish to olive
and brown. In life the color may be pale yellow, green, brownish, or
even deep brown. Below, the general color is white or yellowish. On
the upper surface spots of brown may occasionally be almost entirely
missing, but generally there are blotches of brown varying in size and
number, sometimes running together. Their outlines are not well

71

marked. The sides usually with distinct marblings of brown. The
thighs may be spotted as well as the rest of the leg and foot. The lowef
surfaces may be almost devoid of any brown markings, or they may be-
conspicuously present on throat, breast, belly and legs. The hinder part
of the thighs is usually mottled and blotched.

Distribution, Eastern North America to the Rocky Mountains. Every—
where in Indiana.

This species lives in the waters of our brooks, rivers and lakes. It
probably never strays away from the vicinity of the water in the search
of food. Its loud voice has given it its popular name of "Bull-frog."^
Prof. Cope says that its notes may be imitated by utturing a bass-
"br'wum" several times in a hoarse voice in front of an empty cask.
Dr. J. H. Gardnier (J32, 1883, 954) says that he has heard the Bull-frog,
at a distance of 5 or 8 miles. Authors tell us that when this frog is
whipped it will cry much like a child ; and Dr. Gardnier says that he
has known the Bull-frog to hold its mouth open and scream for more-
than a minute, like a child in distress. These frogs are very voracious,
and seem to catch and swallow almost any living thing that they can pos-
sibly devour. They have been known to eat cray-fishes, small fish, insects,,
worms, snails, mice, and even their own species. One was observed to^
be trying to swallow another of about half its size. Prof. J. A. Allem
tells us that one seized and swallowed a cedar bird which he had shot.,
although the wings and tail continued to protrude out of the frog's^
mouth. Dr. Jos. Jones, of Georgia, reports having found in the stom-
ach of one that he dissected a ' ' grass-snake " three feet long. Other-
cases of the latter kind are on record.

The tadpoles of these frogs, like those of R. damata, require two yearH>
for their complete development. It is possible that in some cases a=-
greater number of years is passed in the larval state. A larva of this-
species was found to have a total length of 4.5 inches, of which 2.8 was
tail. The general color above was dark olive green, below yellowish-
white.

This species is the one that is most relished as an article of diet. The-
frogs are often caught with hooks baited with red flannel.

Eana sylvatica, LeConte,
Wood Frog.

Eana sylvatica, LeConte, 1825, 62, 282; Holbrook, 1842, 54, iv, 99,,
pi. 24; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 47; Cope, 1889, 51, 447, with figures.

A rather slender and graceful frog, with a broad head and long legs.-
Length of head contained in the length of head and body from 3 to 3.5>
times ; its width greater than its length and contained in body and headi

72

:j2.5 to 2.75 times. Snout rather pointed, the canthus msfm/e.s distinct.
Eyes prominent. Tympanic disk about two-thirds the diameter of the

"«ye. A dorso-lateral glandular fold starts at the comer of the eye and
continues along the side to near the vent. Over the tympanic disk it
gives off a rather indistinct branch, which bends down behind the disk
Siud terminates over the arm. There are no folds between the dorso-lat-
«rals. Another glandular fold begins at the corner of the mouth and
stops just over the arm. The skin of the back, the sides, and upper sur-
faces of the legs is provided with numerous minute sharp points, which
produce a slight roughness to the sight and touch. The hinder surface of
the thighs somewhat granulated. Other surfaces smooth. Legs long, the
heel reaching to the muzzle or beyond. Tibia longer than the femur.
•One metatarsal present. The subarticular tubercles feebly develojjed.
Web leaving two phalanges of longest toe, and one of the others, free.
Xen^th of head and body may be about 3 or 4 inches.

-v.li. alcoholic specimens the color of the upper surfaces of body and
limbs varies from pale reddish-brown to ashy or ^ark gray ; the sides
may be pale yellow or brown ; beneath whitish. There may be a few
indistinct spots on the pelvic region of the back, while the sides may be
somewhat mottled with dusky. Lower surfaces occasionally indistinctly
TDiarbled. Limbs distinctly or indistinctly barred with brown. A dark
stripe at the base of the humerus in front. A black stripe from the
.snout to the eye. A triangular brown ear patch. A white stripe from
*he snout and along the upper lip to the arm. Upper and low^er lips
anarbled with brown and whitish. One specimen in my possession, captured
.-at Irvington, has a light streak from snout to vent, reminding one of
J?, catabrigensis. In life the colors are variable. One was gray above,
4he back wuth a tinge of green, while the hind limbs had a tinge of
ireddish. The dark ear-patch was overlaid with a tint of copper. Iris
.'golden. The glandular folds were golden-yellow, the flanks yellowish-
ra-reen. Another living specimen was of a reddish or pink color every-
where above. In life the color is liable to undergo rapid and consider-
able changes, according to the surroundings.

This species occurs from Maine to the Athabasca River and south to
South Carolina and Missouri. It is doubtless to be found everywhere
in Indiana. Localities which have furnished specimens are as follows :
Marion and Shelby counties (Hay); Franklin County (Hughes);
.Monroe County (lud. Univ. coll.); Montgomery County (A. W. But-
.^er ) ; Hamilton County ( F. C. Test ) ; Terre Haute ( Evermann and
Blatchley) ; Wheatland (R. Ridgway ) ; Wabash County (A. B. Ulrey).
This, it appears to me, is our most delicate, beautiful and interesting
s.t)ecies of Rana. It is far less aquatic than the others, preferring to
t-q:)end its life among the fallen leaves of the forest. It is not often seen,
&ut occasionally occurs in enormous numbers. DeKay (30, 64,) says

73

that Dr. Kirtland iufonned him that they were so abundant in the
woods of Ohio that it was ahnost impossible to move without stepping on
them. With us, at the present day, they are far less abundant. They
are extremely active, and when pursued, they escape by making great
and quickly repeated leaps. They are very skillful in hiding, and the
close resemblance of their colors to the dead leaves and grass surround-
ing them renders it extremely difficult to find them. One tliat I was
after leaped into the water and hid along side of a stone, and although
I knew almost exactly where it was, it was some time before I could
recognize it.

Miss Hinckley has studied the habits of the breeding adults and of
the young (^5, xxii, 91 ; 22, xviii, 151). These frogs congregate very
early in the spring for the purpose of ovoposition, although they are
not able to move in water below a temperature of 45° F, There may
be as many as 1,380 eggs in one mass. The time of development varies
greatly according to the temperature. The external gills were devel-
oped within two days after hatching, and in four more were wholly
absorbed. The metamorphosis of the tadpoles was prolonged from April
12 to June S). Tadpoles, which on May 31 measured 58 mm. in length,
became reduced after the metamorphosis to 18 mm., about three-fourths
of an inch. It was first observed by Prof. S. F. Baird that the tadpoles
of this frog are carnivorous. He says that one way of preparing the skel-
eton of small animals is to put them in a vessel of water containing the
living tadpoles of some of our frogs. These will devour the macerating
flesh and leave the bones cleaned and hanging together by the ligaments.
"The larvte of R. sylvatiea are, he said, the most effective.

CLASS 11. REPTILIA.

Members of the Class Eeptilia pass their lives under extremely various-
conditions and circumstances. Many, as the larger number of the turtles^
some snakes and the crocodiles, are given to haunting the waters of the sea,
or of the rivers, lakes and ponds. Others, such as most snakes, and many
tortoises, and the lizards, spend their lives on the land, and some of them
in the hottest and most arid situations. Their eggs, even those of the
most aquatic species, are always laid on the land ; and the young, though
they may, immediately after they are hatched, betake themselves to the
water, never have gills, and depend wholly on their lungs for the oxygen
that enters their blood. Their form is from the first like that of the
adults.

In nearly all cases the epidermal layer of the skin of reptiles is disposed
in the form of scales or plates. These may, on the one hand, be so small
as to form mere granules, or, on the other hand, they may consist of a few
large plates, like those of most tortoises. The soft-shell turtles, however,
furnish us with an exception to the rule given. The epidermis of these
is soft and moist, and is not broken up into definite areas. When limbs
are present they are made up of the same elements as those of Batrachians,
Birds and Mammals. But many reptiles, such as the snakes and many
lizards, are entirely devoid of limbs. The blood of reptiles is cold, the
heart has only three chambers (except in the crocodiles), and the arterial
blood, as it is distributed to the body, becomes more or less mixed with
the venous blood. As to their reproduction, most lay eggs ; others bring
forth their young alive, the eggs being retained in the body until the
young have reached a considerable size.

Key to the Orders of Existing Reptiles.

A. Body covered with small, usually overlapping epidermal scales ;

these supported or not by bony plates of similar form and size,

which also do not articulate with one another.

a. Body usually extremely elongated ; bones of upper jaws loosely

connected with the rest of the skull; rami of lower jaw

loosely connected at symphasis by elastic tissue. Serpents.

Ophidia, p. 75^

75

b. Body shorter, but sometimes considerably elongated ; limb»^

present or absent ; bones of upper jaw firmly connected witb

remainder of the skull ; lami of lower jaw connected by

suture. Lizards. Lacertilia, p. 131,

B. Body more or less protected by an armor of articulating bony scutes ;^

these usually overlaid by firm epidermal plates of similar or dif'

ferent shape ; absent, however, in some turtles.

a. Body short and broad ; encased in a bony shell formed above of

the expanded ribs, below of dermal bones ; four limbs ; jaws^
covered by horny beaks ; no teeth. Tortoises.

Chelonia, p. 142^

b. Body lizard-like ; more or less protected by transverse series or

dermal bones; limbs four; jaws provided with teeth. Croc-
odiles and alligators. Extralimital. Crocodilian

Order OPHIDIA.

Snakes.

Animals having a greatly elongated body and a tapering, pointed tail.
Limbs wholly wanting, except in the rare cases where hinder limbs are
believed to be represented by a pair of anal spurs. Vertebrae many and
strongly articulated. Ribs movable and employed in locomotion. Brain-
case consisting of a reduced number of bones, which are firmly con-
nected and form an efficient protection to the brain. Bones concerned ia
the seizing and swallowing of the prey — the palato-pterygoids, maxillae,
the quadrate and the squamosal — are loosely connected with the cranium
and with one another. Mandibles loosely joined in front by elastic tis-
sues. Gape of mouth usually large. No eyelids. Skin of upper sur-
face provided with small, usually overlapping scales; belly with larger
transverse scutes. Head usually covered with a few large, regularly
arranged plates. Vent a transverse slit.

The Ophidia form a large and important order of Reptiles. They
inhabit all the great faunal regions of the globe. They are few in species
in the colder portions of the globe, but swarm in the hotter and moister
regions. They are divided by naturalists into a large number of fam-
Dies, but of these we have representatives of only the following three :

76

Key to the Native Families of Ophidia.

Maxillary bones elongated, with a row of several teeth in each ; none
of these grooved or perforated ; no poison glands or fangs present.

ColubridcB, p. 76.

Maxillary bones each with a single erect, immovable poison fang,
which is grooved in front. No pit between eye and nostril. Body with
rings of black, red, and yellow. Elapidce, p. 121.

Maxillary bones much shortened, bearing each a large, erectile poison-
fang, with a few supplementary fangs; these perforated and the func-
tional fang connected with the duct of a poison gland. A pit between
the eye and nostril. Crotalidce, p. 122.

Family I. COLUBRID^.

Figure 9, PI. 3.

Form elongated. Head more or less distinct from the neck. Tail
tapering to a point. Head covered with large epidermal plates.* Max-
illary long, furnished with a row of conical, solid teeth. No poison
fangs or glands. Pupil circular. No j^it in front of eye. No rattle.
No anal spurs.

Key to the Genera of the Family' Colubridoe.

A. Anal plate divided.

a. Dorsal scales not keeled, f

b. Loral absent ; anteorbital present. Tantilla.

bb. Loral present ; anteorbital absent,
c. Nasal single, pierced by nostril.

Rows of scales 13. Carphoplm, p. 78.

Rows of scales 19 ; two prefrontals.

Abastor. Appendix.
Rows of scales 19 ; prefrontals united.

Farancia, p. 79.

cc. Nasals 2, with nostril between them ; rows of scales,

15 or 17. Virginia, p. 80.

*For plates illustrating the heads of North American species, see Volume X of the
Pacific Railroad Survey Report.

t Sometimes in Coluler only the scales of the upper rows have keels, and occasionally
all may be smooth.

77

bbb. Both loral atid anteorbital present.

d. Nasals 2 ; anteorbitals usually 2.

Adult size large ; pairs of subcaudal plates

seldom fewer than half the number of ventral

plates. Bascanion, p. 81.

Adult size small ; pairs of subcaudal plates

t seldom more than one-third the number of

ventral plates. Diadoplm, p. 84.

dd. Nasal single ; anteorbital single ; subcaudals

more than one-half the ventrals.

Cydoplm, p. 85.
aa. Dorsal scales more or less keeled.*

e. Rostral normal ; not shovel-shaped or

keeled.

f. Three plates between the rostral and

the eye.

Nasal single ; anteorbital and loral

present. Phyllophilojjhis, p. 86.

Nasals 2 ; anteorbital present ; loral

absent. Storeria, p. 88.

Nasals 2 ; anteorbital wanting ; loral

present. Haldea. Appendix.

ff. Four plates between rostral and eye

(2 nasals, anteorbital, loral). Some

of the outer rows of scales smooth ;

rows 25 to 29 ; ventral plates 200

to 270. Coluber, p. 90.

All the scales keeled ; rows 19 to

33 ; ventrals 125 to 160.

Natrix, p. 95.
ee. Rostral expanded and shovel-shaped, with
a median keel. Heterodon, p. 102,

A A. Anal plate not divided.

g. Dorsal scales smooth.

h. Rostral plate normal. Ophibolus. p. 107,

hh. Rostral enlarged, trihedral. Cemophora.

gg. Dorsal scales keeled, rostral normal.

i. Postfrontals two pairs,; scales in 25 to 35 rows.

PituopMs. Appendix.

ii. Postfrontals one pair; scales in 17 to 21 rows; nasals

divided. Eutainia. p. 112.

iii. Postfrontals a single pair; scales in 19 rows; nasals

single. Tropidoclonium. Appendix.

'■' See foot note on preceding page.

78

Genus CARPHOPHIS, Gervais.

Carphopkis, Gervais, 1843, 72, iii, 191; Garman, 1883, 13, 99;
■Cdida, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 120.

Small snakes with little heads and short tails. Head not distinct from
the neck. Crown shields 7 or 9, there being in some cases but a single
pair of froutals. Vertical broad. Loral present. No anteorbital.
Nasals single. Scales smooth and glossy, arranged in 13 rows. Anal
plates divided-
a. Color of the back descending below third row of scales.

amcena. p. 78.
aa. Color of the back not descending below third row of scales.

vermis. Appendix.

Carfhophis amoena, (Say).
Ground-snake.

Coluber mnoenus, Say, 1825, 2, 237 ; Celuta amoena, Baird and Girard,
1853,^, 129; Cooper, 1860,^0, xii, pt. ii, 302, pi. 19, fig. 2; Carjyho-
phis ammna, Gervais, 1843, 72, iii, 191 ; Garman, 1883, IS, 100, pi. vii,
:fig. 1 ; Carphoplmps amoenus. Cope, 1892, S, xiv, 596.

Celuta helerue, Kennicott, 1859, 1, 100 ; Carphophiops helerue. Cope,
1875, m, 34 ; Carphophis helence, Smith, 1882, 18, 699.

Head small, the snout moderately elongated and rounded. Vertical
hexagonal. Rostral convex. Postfrontals entering into the orbits, the
prefrontals small or absent. Postorbital single. Upper labials 5; eye
over third and fourth. Lower labials 6. Ventral plates 112 to 131;
«ubcaudals 24 to 36 pairs. Scales smooth and glossy, arranged in 13
rows.

Color above, rich chestnut brown, below yellow to salmon. Length not
exceeding one foot. The specimens without prefrontals have been re-
garded as belonging to a distinct species helence. Prof. Cope has shown
recently, however (5, 1892, 596), that this is an inconstant character,
and that the forms must be united.

The species is distributed from Massachusetts to Georgia, and west to
Central Arkansas. Indiana localities are : Wheatland (Ridgway) ; New
Harmony (Sampson's coll.) ; Monroe County (C. H. Bollman) ; Brown
County >(Chas. Jameson) ; Crawford County (Hay), where in the vicinity
of Wyandotte Cave several specimens were found hiding under stones
and logs; Terre Haute (Blatchley). Some of the specimens from New
Harmony and those from Wheatland belonged to the form with pre-
frontals ; all the others were without prefrontals.

79

Little is known about the habits of this innocent little serpent. DeKay
states that it is found hiding under logs and stones. Mr. Sampson, of
New Harmony, told me that he found it under the dead leaves in the
forests. Its movements are probably nocturnal. Holbrook adds that it
lives on insects. Dr. J. A. Allen states that it is decidedly subterrestrial
in its habits, and is more frequently turned up by the plow or hoe than
seen crawling on the surface. It seeks to bury itself when thus exposed.
Observations on the breeding habits are needed. »

Genus FARANCIA, Gray.

Fara)icia, Gray, 1842, 73, 68 ; Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 123.

Head slightly distinct from the body. Crown-shields eight, the pre-
frontals being united. No anteorbital, the postfrontal and the loral en-
tering into the orbit. Two postorbitals. Nasal single, grooved below
the nostril. Scales not keeled ; arranged in nineteen rows. Anal plate
divided. Size large.

Farancia abacura, (Holbrook).
Horn-snake. Checkered-snake.

Coluber ahacxtrus, Holbrook, 1836, 53, i, 119, pi. 23; Selicops abacurus,
Holbrook, 1842, S^., iii. 111, pi. 26; Farancia abacurus, Baird and Girard,
1853, 6, 123; Hydrops abacurus, Dum. and Bib., 1854, 7^, atlas, pi. 65;
Oarman, 1883, 13, 36, pi. 1, fig. 5.

A snake reaching a large size. Head scarcely distinct from the body.
Crown-shields normal, except that the prefrontals of the opposite sides
Are fused into one. No anteorbital. Loral and postfrontal forming an-
terior border of the orbit. Rostral low. Nasal single, groove below the
nostril. Postorbitals two. Upper labials 7, the eye over 3d and 4th.
Lower labials 8 or 9. Scales smooth and shining; arranged in 19 rows.
Ventral plates 171 to 203 ; subcaudals 35 to 47. Anal plate divided.

The ground color may be regarded as blue-black. The sides are marked
with about sixty transverse bands or wedges of bright red, which in some
cases extend nearly t ) the middle of the back. These bands sometimes
■extend downward to the middle of the belly, and either join or alternate
those of the opposite side. Since the red has definite margins and con-
trast strongly with the black, the belly has a checkered appearance. The
head above is dark blue, with the plates tinged with red on their margins.
Upper labials red, with a blue spot on each.

This snake reaches a large size, contrasting in this respect with its rela-
tives, Carphophis and Virghiia. One mentioned by Mr. S. Garman is
64 inches long, of which 5.6 is tail. This species is distributed from South
Carolina to Louisiana and Central Arkansas, and up the Mississippi Val-
ley to Knox County, Indiana. It and its eggs have been sent irom

80

Wheatlaud to Mr. Robert Ridgway, of the National Museum. It has also
been taken in Illinois just across the Wabash River from Indiana. I have
seen it at Little Rock, Arkansas, in a cypress swamp. Holbrook says of
this species that it is rare and shy, and that it lives in swampy ground
and in damp places. It is a beautiful snake, as beauty goes among
snakes.

Genus VIRGINIA, B. & G.

Virginia, Baird & Girard, 1853, 6, 127; Garman, 1883, 13, 96, in
part.

Small, slender, and feeble snakes, with small head and short tail.
Head narrow, rather high, snout pointed. Crown-shields 9. Postfront-
als large, entering orbit and suppressing the anteorKitals. Loral present.
Nasals 2, with the nostril in the anterior. Postorbitals 2, the lower
small. Scales smooth, or feebly keeled on the posterior of body ; ar-
ranged in 15 or 17 rows. Anal plate divided,
a. Scales in 17 rows. elegans, p. 80,

aa. Scales in 15 rows. valence. Appendix,

Virginia elegans, Kenn.

Virginia^ & Snake.

Virginia elegant, Kennicott, 1859, 1, 99;. Garman, 1883, 13, 98,

Originally described by Kennicott from specimens obtained " in heavily
timbered regions in Southern Illinois." In my possession is a small spec-
imen that was taken by the late Charles Jameson, of Indianapolis, at some
point in Brown County. The total length is 5. 75 inches. From this I
draw a description.

Head small, narrow, and relatively high. Snout pointed, and the side&
of the head perpendicular. Vertical hexagonal, with its right and left
sides parallel. Occipitals large. Prefrontals entering the orbit and with
the lorals forming its anterior border. Upper labials 6, the eye over the
4th and 5th. Scales in 17 rows ; smooth, except that those on the tail
are feebly keeled. Ventral plates 120 ; subcaudals 45.

Color gray, with a tinge of purplish, especially on the head. Below
yellowish white, possibly reddish in life. On the dorsal surface are to be
seen, here and there, small black dots. Those on the upper surface and
the sides of the head more numerous and resembling points made by a
fine pen.

From Brown county, Indiana, to Indian Territory (i(9, 84).

Nothing appears to be known about the distinctive habits of this deli-
cate little creature. It must live on the smallest insects and worm-like
creatures. Its subdued colors will undoubtedly enable it to escape the
notice of its enemies. Its near relative, Virginia valerice, has not yet been
found in Indiana.

81

Genus BASCANION, B. .t G.

Ba^canion, Baird iiiul Girard, 1853, 6, 93. Ba.icanii(m, Cope, 1875,
1^, 40.

Size large, form elongated ; head distinct from the body ; narrow and
with sides perpendicular ; tail long. Crown-shields 9. Vertical rather
long and narrow. Two pairs of frontals. Loi'al present. Anteorbitals
2. Postorbitals 2. Nasals 2, with nostril between. Dorsal scales
smooth; arranged in 15 or 17 rows. Ventral plates 170 to 210; sub-
caudals 80 to 150. Anal plate divided. Pairs of subcaudals seldom
fewer than one-half the number of ventral plates. ,

Bascanion constrictor, (Linn.).
Black-snake. Black-racer. Blue-racer.

Colur>er constrictor, Linnseus, 1758, 6'4, ed. x, 216 ; Holbrook, 1842^
dJ/., iii, 55, pi. 11 ; Garman, 1883, 13, 41, pi. iv, fig. 3. Bascanion
constrictor, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 93.

A long, slender snake, with a distinct head and a slender, whip-like
tail, w^hich constitutes about one-fourth the entire length. Head long,
pointed, high ; crown flat, and with the face bent down in front of the
eyes. Eye in a groove which runs forward to the nostril. Snout
pointed and rather projecting. Rostral high. Upper anteorbital large,
the lower very small. Upper labials 7 or 8, the large eye over the third
and fourth. Lower labials 8 to 10, sixth very large. Rows of dorsal
scales in 17 (rarely 15 or 19) rows; the scales very smooth, the median
narrow, the outer broad. Ventral plates 171 to 190; subcaudals 80 to
110.

The color of the adults is uniform above, but varies according to age
and varieties from lustrous pitch-black to lead color and yellowish olive.
Length 6 feet or more. In its varieties or sub-species this species has a
range from the Atlantic to the Pacific and south to Mexico.

Variety constrictor.

Lustrous pitch-black above, varying to lead color. Below, the color is
greenish- white or slate color, with the middle line paler. There is more
or less white on the chin and the lower jaw. Upper labials with some
vhite. Specimens from the prairies of the West and Southwest are of
an olive-green color, and such shade into the variety flaviventris.

The colors of the young Black-snake are so different from those of the
adult that one would hardly suspect it to be the same species. Instead
of being of a uniform color above, they are much blotched and spotted'.
There is a series of reddish-brown blotches with black borders along the
middle of the back, but disappearing on the tail. The blotches are
about three scales long, and reach down to about the fourth row of scales

on each side. The sides are furnished with many specks and spots of
Ibrown. The intervals between the spots are grayish or olive. The head
is mottled and specked. Below, the color is greenish- white, with three
or four specks of brown on each scale. Specimens over 18 inches begin
to assume the coloration of the adult.

The range of this variety is from the Mississippi River eastward. It
is to be found in all portions of Indiana, and it is unnecessary to specify
localities.

No species of our snakes is, probably, better known, or, at least, more
talked about, than is the "Black-snake" or "Black-racer," or, as it is
often called, the "Blue-racer." This is true probably because of its
abundance in all localities and because of its bold, active, and aggressive
disposition. It is, however, somewhat confounded with another common
Black-snake, Coluber obsdetus, which does not appear to be nearly so
active or so sauc3^

The systematic name of this snake, comtrictor, was given in allusion to
its supposed habit of entwining itself about the limbs and bodies of per-
sons whom it might see fit to attack. Gmelin, one of its early describers,
speaks of it as running with great velocity, biting without poison, attack-
ing men by entwining itself about their limbs and squeezing. This is a
widely spread idea concerning these snakes at the present day, and there
is no doubt some truth in it. However, their daring is greatly exagger-
ated, and the stories that we may hear everywhere about their squeezing
people to death are without sufficient foundation. If one of these snakes
were driven to bay, or were seized, there is little doubt that it would defend
itself with great vigor and promptness. These serpents are not without
wisdom, and it is a common reputation which they have that they will
sometimes pursue persons who are retreating, but when the latter turn
the snakes will seek safety in flight. They are evidently full of curiosity,
and will often follow persons or objects, apparently merely to observe
them. I have been told of one of these snakes which was in a meadow
where a mowing machine was at work. The noise of the mower appeared
to excite the reptile greatly, and it followed the machine around the
meadow several times. At last it became so wrought up that it sprang
over the sickle bar and was cut into pieces. It is possible that in this
case the animal had young ones in the vicinity. Prof. Blatchley says
(94, '91, 31) that they are vicious, and will hiss and strike at a trespasser
when they are seeking a hiding place for the winter.

DeKay states that it is a bold, wild, and untameable animal, and that it
climbs trees with great ease by twining itself around the trunk in a spiral
manner. This it does in quest of eggs and the young of birds. Hol-
brook says that it feeds on mice, toads, and small birds. It is bold and
daring, entering barns and outhouses without fear, and has been known
to destroy young chickens. He also reports it as very irascible during

83

^the breeding season, and that it will attack persons who may pass it, even
at a distance of several steps. Its tail quivers with rage, making a quick,
vibratory motion, which among dry leaves sounds not unlike the whir of
the rattlesnake. It will even descend trees in order to attack an enemy
who may tease it. He never knew one to try to twine itself about the
legs, as it is commonly supposed to do.

Besides eating such creatures as have been already mentioned, the
black-snake sometimes attacks and devours other snakes. Mr. F. W-
Cragin Q?.3, xii, 820) states that he found a black-snake swallowing a
striped snake, Eidainia sirtalis, which he had killed the day before. The
black-snake was 42, the striped-snake 22 inches long. This was a case in
which the reptile was driven to partaking of cold victuals. Prof. A. E.
Verrill, of Yale College, writes (33, iii, 158) that a student of Yale
caught a large black-snake, and in bringing it home alive by the neck
smothered it so that it became sick and vomited up a copperhead snake
two feet long and in a nearly perfect condition. Soon afterward this was
followed by a good-sized frog. Prof. Verrill supposes that the black-snake
caught the cojoperhead while it was trying to swallow the frog; but this
supposition is by no means necessary. Black-snakes are known to attack
and destroy rattlesnakes in open fight. The black-snake is said to circle
around the rattlesnake until the latter becomes confused or thrown off" his
guard, and then to spring suddenly upon the poisonous reptile, encircle
him in its folds, and squeeze him to death. Dr. Elliott Cones (9, 4, 269)
speaks of the hostility existing between the black-snake and the rattle-
snake. In one case reported the black-snake threw two or three coils of
its tail behind the rattlesnake's head and several others further back, and
then, by a powerful muscular effort, tore the rattlesnake in two. When
the black-snake has thus triumphed he has a right to a full meal. They
are known to eat other species of snakes (22, ii, 136). When one snake
swallows another the head is taken into the mouth first. A snake can
swallow another almost as large as itself.

H. A. Brons, writing (23, xvi, 566) of the habits of some western
snakes, says that this species and some others have the habit of swal-
lowing whole eggs, and that it is no unusual occurrence to find such
snakes with the entire contents of quails', prairie hens', and domestic
fowls' nests in their capacious stomachs. With a little trouble they
may be compelled to disgorge the ingesta unbroken. Miss Hopley, in
her interesting book on snakes, says that these snakes will eat eggs, and
that they will drink milk and eat cream. But when people tell us that
they will suck the cows we must draw the line broadly and distinctly.

In the fall, and sometimes probably also in the spring, these snakes
•collect together often in large numbers, and we hear occasionally of
" balls" of snakes having been seen. Brons, cited above, says that the
ifemale of the ' ' Racer ' ' is the larger, and not so graceful in form or

84

movements. Daring the season of love making she seems to toy witb
the male, at times darting through the grass, among stones and inta
crevices to avoid him. On clear, level ground she is at a disadvantage.
There, if she attempts to quit him, a coil of his tail is thrown about her
body and his head laid upon her neck, and if it is removed, as promptly
replaced, in the evident endeavor to propitiate her. Later in the sea-
son they are solitary or live in pairs.

The eggs of the black-snake are an inch and a half long and an inch
in diameter. They are covered with a thick, tough skin. Out of sucb
an egg I took a young snake 10.5 inches long. The snout was blunt,
while a little sharp tooth projected from the middle of the upper jaw,
beyond the lip. (See Agassiz 4; 1, 288; Dr. Weinland, Proc. Essex
Inst, ii, 28.) This is an " egg tooth," and its purpose is to enable the
young to rip open the tough egg coverings when the time for hatching
has come. This tooth is shortly afterward shed. Just the time of lay-
ing the eggs and the special way in which the female disposes of them
I have not been able to learn. They are in all likelihood hidden away
in soft earth or in rotten wood. In one female I found nineteen eggs^
of which seven were in the left oviduct.

Genus DIADOPHIS, B. & G.

Diadophis, Baird & Girard, 1853, 6, 112; Garman, 1883, 13, 60.

Small, slender snakes, with a distinct and depressed head and a tail ot
moderate length. Crown-shields nine. Prefrontals two pairs. Loral
present. Anteorbitals two. Postorbitals two. Nasals two, with the
nostril between. Scales smooth, arranged in fifteen or seventeen rows.
Anal plate divided. Ventrals 145 to 237.. Subcaudals 36 to 60, sel-
dom more than one-third the number of ventrals. Anal plate divided.

Diadophis punctatus, (Linn.).
Ring-necked Snake.

Coluber functatus, Linnaeus, 1766, 6^, ed. xii, i, 376; Holbrook, 1842,^
54; iii, f^l, pi. .18 ; DladopJm punctatus, Baird & Girard, 1853, 6, 112 j
Garman, 1883, 1-1, 72.

A snake of small size, having a head distinct from the body, and a
tail about one-fourth the total length. Head flat, snout rather broad
and projecting beyond the lower jaw. Rostral low and broad. The
lower anteorbital small. Upper labials seven or eight, eye over third
and fourth, or fourth and fifth. Lower labials eight, fifth largest.
Scales smooth, arranged in fifteen rows. Ventrals 148 to 203. Sub-
caudals 36 to 60.

85

The color above varies iu the subspecies, or varieties, from olive
through gray to blue-black ; below from yellowish white to orange and
red, with more or fewer dark spots. There is usually a light ring
around the neck, close to the head.

The form usually found in Indiana is the typical imnctatus The color
.above is a bluish black or a dark ash, with a wash of bronzy that extends
down to the lowest rows of scales. Below, the color is orange or deep red,
somewhat palest in front. On the outer ends of each of the ventrals there
is a small black spot, and these are involved in the color of the dorsal
scales. Near the middle line of the ventrals may be two rows of dark
spots, or the spots on the ventrals may unite to form transverse bars.
The ring around the neck is orange, edged with black. It is one or two
scales in width. Upper labials yellow. The length may become about
fifteen inches. This form is distributed from Nova Scotia to Georgia and
the Mississippi Valley. Indiana localities are New Harmony (Sampson's
coll.); Franklin county (Hughes); Monroe county (Bollman) ; Mont-
gomery county (a specimen brought me by Mr. Beachler) ; Terre Haute
(Blatchley) ; Shades of Death, Parke county.

Habits. — Not much can be said concerning the habits of this little
snake. Hoi brook says that it is a very timid animal, living a great part
of the time under the bark of trees, or old logs and stones. It emerges
from its hiding places toward the dusk of evening, or after rain, when
the insects on which it feeds have been washed from their hiding
places. DeKay tells us {W, 39) that it is perfectly inoffensive, and that
it emits a disagreeable odor. I can find nothing concerning its breeding
habits.

Genus CYCLOPHIS, Gunther.

Cyclophis, Gunther, 1858, 26, 119 ; Garman, 1883, 13, 39 ; Chlorosoma,
Wagler, 1830, 75, 185 ; Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 108.

Form moderately elongated and slender. Head distinct from body.
Tail long and tapering. Crown-shields 9. Loral present, small. One
anteorbital, high. Postorbitals 2. Nasal single, nostril in its center.
Eyes of moderate size. Mouth-cleft long and curved. Scales smooth ;
disposed in 15 rows. Anal plate divided.

Cyclophis vernalis, (DeKay).
Smooth Green-snake.

Coluber vernalis, DeKay, 1827, 3, 361 ; Holbrook, 1842, 54, iii, 79, pi.
17; Chlorosoma vernalis, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 108; Cyclophis ver-
nalis, Giinther, 1858, 26, 119 ; Garman, 1883, IS, 39.

Body and tail rather long and slender, but less conspicuously so than
in Phyllophilophis cestivus. Tail forming seldom more than one-third the

86

total length, usually one-third or one-fourth. Head narrow and mod-
erately Mgh. Snout somewhat projecting beyond the lower jaw. Mouth-
cleft large, curved. Upper labials 7 ; the eye over 3d and 4th. Lower
labials 8 ; the 5th largest. Scales smooth ; disposed in 15 rows. Ven-
trals 125 to 140 ; subcaudals 69 to 95 ; the latter seldom 70 per cent, of
the former in number.

Color above, grass-green, fading somewhat on the lower rows of scales.
Below greenish yellow. On the throat and upper labials yellowish white.
The green of the upper surface often changing in alcohol to blue.

Distributed from Nova Scotia to Wyoming and southwest to New Mex-
ico. Rare or not found in the Southern States.

In Indiana it is probably generally, but not abundantly, distributed.
Known localities: New Harmony (Sampson's coll.); Brown county
(collected by Chas. Jameson).

This is a beautiful and inoffensive little creature. Its color indicates
plainly both that it lives among green plants and that it is little able to
defend itself from the attacks of enemies. It must therefore depend on
concealment for safety. It probably lives almost entirely in the grass,
and rarely ascends trees and shrubbery, as does its relative, the Rough
Green-snake. Holbrook says of it that "it is a very gentle animal, and
can be handled with impunity ; it seeks meadows of high grass, where
crickets and grasshoppers abound, on which it feeds. It is found mostly
on the ground, though at times I have seen it stretched on the branches
of low shrubs, as the dwarf willow." DeKay (SG, 40) says of it that it
is exceedingly quick and lively in its movements ; that it is most abund-
ant in marshes, and that it is reputed to fight furiously with the Striped
snake. Prof. F. W. Putnam found in Massachusetts, on August 31, its
eggs under the bark of an old stump. They were just ready to hatch
and one snake was already out. The eggs were an inch and a half long,
and the young a little over 5 inches.

Genus PHYLLOPHILOPHIS, Garman.

PhylloiMhplm, Garman, 1883, IS, 40; Leptophis, Bell, 1826, 110, 328;
Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 106.

Body and tail very long and slender, and the body somewhat com-
pressed. Head distinct from the body. Loral present, small. One an-
teorbital. Postorbitals two. Nasal single, with the nostril in the center.
Eye large. Mouth-cleft deep. Scales keeled, except those of the outer
one or two rows ; arranged in 17 rows. Anal plate divided.

This genus differs from Cyclophis only in having the scales keeled.

87

Phyllophilophis gestivus, (Liun.)>
Rough Green-snake.

Coluber (vstivus, Linnreus, 1766, 04, ed. xii, i, 387; Leptophh cedwuSy
Holbrook, 1842, 54, iv, 17, pi. 3 ; Baird & Girard, 1853, 6, 106; Phyllx^'
philopkis (estivus, Garman, 1883, 13, 40.

Long and very sleuder ; the tail whiplike, and constituting usually more
than a third of the total length. Head separated from the body by a
slender neck ; narrow and high ; swollen in the occipital region ; the
snout projecting considerably over the lower jaw. Eyes large. Scales
keeled, except those of outer row and often some of the second row. Ven-
trals 150 to 165; subcaudals 110 to 135. The latter seldom as many a&
70 per cent, of the ventrals.

Color grass-green above; below, greenish white. The green of the
upper surface fades somewhat on the lower rows of scales. In alcohol the
green changes to blue. The lower jaw and the upper labials are yellow-
ish white.

Maryland to Kansas, south to Florida and Mexico. Indiana localities :
New Harmony (Sampson's coll.); Vigo and Parke counties (Nor. School
coll.); Dearborn county (A. W. Butler); Monroe county (Bollman) :
Cloverdale, Putnam county (Test).

Habits. — This snake greatly resembles in general appearance and dis-
position the Smooth Green- snake. It may be distinguished readily fronx
the latter by its more slender form and by its keeled scales. It is equally
as harmless as the other snake, and makes no attempt to bite when taken:
in the hands. It is given to climbing about on trees in search of the in-
sects and larvffi that constitute its food. I have taken it while thus
moving about on the branches of small trees. Of this species Holbrook
says: "Perfectly harmless and gentle, easily domesticated, and takes
readily its food from the hand. I have seen it carried in the pocket or
twisted around the arm or neck as a plaything, without ever evincing
any disposition to mischief. In its wild state it lives among the branches-
of trees and shrubs, shooting with great velocity from bough to bough, m
pursuit of the insects which serve as its nourishment. Its green color^
similar to the leaves among which it lives, afford it protection against
those birds which prey upon it."

Prof. Cope (22, vi, 309) says of one that he kept in confinement that
it manifested no disposition to climb over the ferns and plants among-
which it lived, but that it lived mostly underground. It had a habit of
projecting its head and two or three inches of its body above the ground
and holding itself for hours rigidly in a single attitude. In this position
it resembled very closely a sprout or shoot of some green succulent plant,
and might readily be mistaken for such by small animals.

Genus STORERIA, B. & G.

rStoreria, Baird aud Girard, 1853, 6, 135 ; Garmau, 1883, 13, 29, in
-part.

Serpents of small size. Head distinct from the body. Tail only of
moderate length. Crown-shields nine. No loral. One or two anteor-
bitals. Two or three postorbitals. Nasals two, with the nostril be-
tween. Scales keeled ; arranged in fifteen or seventeen rows. Anal
plate divided.

Scales in seventeen rows. dekayi, p. 88.

Scales in fifteen rows. occijntomacnlata, p. 89.

Storeria dekayi, (Holb.).

DeKay's Snake.

Tropidonotus dehayi, Holbrook, 1842, o^., iii, 53, pi. xiv ; Storeria dekayi,
Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 135; Garman, 1883, 13, 31, pi. i. fig. 1.
, Head somewhat larger than the neck, flat above, and rather high. Ros-
tral as high as wide. Snout projecting beyond the lower jaw. One an-
teorbital, high. No loral. Two, sometimes three, postorbitals. Ujiper la-
bials seven ; eye over third and fourth. Lower labials seven ; fourth
and fifth large. Scales distinctly keeled ; in seventeen rows. Veutrals
120 to 145 ; subcaudals 40 to 60. Tail one-fifth the total length.

The color of the upper surface is yellowish or reddish-ash, brownish-
olive, or even chestnut. The middle of the back with a paler, clay-col-
ored, dusky-edged band, three or four scales wide. On each side of this
vertebral band is a row of brown or black dots about the length of two
scales apart. These sometimes extend themselves and meet across the
dorsal stripe. Occasionally the dots, and sometimes the band itself, are
wanting. In such cases the color above is uniform. Below the dots
mentioned, other dots are occasionally seen. The color of the lower
surface is whitish or yellowish in alcoholic specimens, but in life the
color is often salmon or red. The ventrals with one or two dots of
brown at their outer ends. Plates of the head brownish, with some
minute dots. In highly colored specimens, there is a large brown spot
just behind the head on each side ; another spot on side of head and
across the corner of the mouth, and a small blotch under the eye. The
length of grown examples is from twelve to fifteen inches.

Distribution from Maine to the Mississippi Valley, and south to the
Gulf and to Mexico. Probably occurring in every township in Indiana.
iKnown localities are : Wheatland (Ridgway) ; Lebanon (Nat. Mus.) ;
]New Harmony (Sampson's coll.); Harrison county (specimens from

89

Prof. Hallett); Monroe county (Bollmau^; Irviugton ; Terre Haute
(Blatchley); Denver, INIianii county, (Nor. Sch. coll.); Wabash
county (Ulrey); Franklin county (Butler).

The colors of this little serpent are such as harmonize well with its
usual surroundings, the soil and dead grass, leaves, and slender, broken
branches of trees. I have observed no evidences of its being aquatic,
but some observers make such statement. DeKay reports that all that
were seen by him were either in the water or in the vicinity of it. One
taken by him was swimming across a bay of Long Island Sound.
All that Holbrook has to say about it is that it frequents meadows and
places where the grass is of luxuriant growth, and feeds on various
insects, as crickets, grasshoppers, etc. They are ovoviviparous.
A f?male, taken at Cumberland Gap, Tenn., and in midsummer, con-
tained eleven eggs. The eggs were .37 inch by .25.

Storeria occipitomaculata, (Storer).
Storey's Snake.

Tro-pidonotus occipitoinaculatus, Storer, 1839, 76, 230 ; Storeria occipito-
viacidata, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 137; Garman, 1883, 13, 30, pi. 1,
%2. ^

Averaging smaller in size than S. dekayi, wliich it resembles in propor-
tions and in coloration. Snout short and blunt. Anteorbitals 2. Pos-
torbitals 2. Nasals 2, with the nostril mostly in the anterior. No
loral. Upper labials 5 to 6, growing larger posteriorly, the eye over
third and fourth. Lower labials 6 or 7. Scales keeled ; arranged in
fifteen rows. Ventral scales 117 to 128; subcaudals 43 to 50.

Color olive to reddish gray or chestnut brown. Along the back there
is a paler stripe about three scales wide, and this is usually edged with
dusky. Bordering the pale vertebral band and situated in the dusky
border in each side is a row of brown dots. The vertebral band and the
dots may all be faint or entirely absent. Often there is a yellowish stripe
on the lowest row of scales. Head like the body, but mottled with brown.
Behind the occipital plate is a spot of yellow, salmon in life, and a sim-
ilar spot on each side just behind the corner of the mouth. The fourth
and fifth labials with a small spot of similar color. Below, the color is
yellowish ; in life salmon or brick-red. The ends of the ventrals mottled
with dusky.

Length of grown specimens about one foot. ,

The territory occupied by this animal extends from Maine to Wiscon-
sin and south to Georgia and Texas. In Indiana it is doubtless to be
found everywhere. It has been collected at the following localities : New

90

Harmony (Sampson's coll.); Montgomery county (A. W. Butler); Leb-
anon, Boone county (S. F. Baird) ; Irvington, where it is less common
than S. dekayi; Terre Haute (Blatchley).

I know little about the habits of this snake. Smith (IS, 698) states
that they are somewhat nocturnal, and live chiefly under logs and stones.
They are in all probability ovoviviparous. In the stomach of a specimen
taken at Irvington I found a slug.

Genus COLUBER, Linn.

Coluber, Linnseup, 1758, 64, ed. x, 216 ; Scotophis, Baird and Girard,
1853, 6, 73 ; ElapMs Garman, 1883, 13, 53.

Snakes attaining a large size. Head distinct from the body ; rather
narrow and long. Crown-shields 9. Vertical broad. Loral present.
Anteorbital 1, large. Postorbitals 2. Nasals 2, with the nostril be-
tween. Mouth deeply cleft, the outline nearly straight. Dorsal scales
keeled, except some of the lower rows, which may be smooth ; arranged
in 23 to 29 rows. Anal plate divided. Ventral plates 200 to 240,
Subcaudais 63 to 95.

(In rare cases, especially specimens of C. guttatus, all the scales may be
smooth.)

Analysis of the Species of Cohiher.

A. With longitudinal bands of brown. N. C. to Fla. quadrivittatus.
AA. Blotched above or uniform black.

a. Scales in 25 (rarely 23 or 27) rows ; with chocolate blotches.

vulpinus, p. 90.
aa. Scales in 25 to 29 rows.

Scales in 27 rows ; blotches red. guttatus, p. 92.

Scales in 27 (rarely 25 or 29) rows ; upper surface nearly
uniform black, or grayish, with black blotches.

obsoletus, p. 93.

Scales in 29 rows ; color ash-gray, with about 70 blotches of

brown. Kansas to Mexico. emoryi.

Coluber vulpinus, (B. & G.).
Fox-snake*

Scotophis vulpinus, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 75 ; Cooper, 1860, 20^
xii, pt. ii, 299, pi. 22. Elaphis guttatus var. vulpimis, Garman, 1883, IS^
56 ; Coluber vulpimis, Cope, 1875, 13, 39.

Form elongated and rather slender. Tail tapering, and forming
about one-fifth the total length, ending in a hard, straight spine. AU
the cephalic plates behind the prefrontals large. Postfrontals bent down

91

on the sides of the face. Vertical varying from narrower than long tc-
wider than long ; shorter than distance from its anterior border to snout-
Upper labials 8 (rarely 7), eye over fourth and fifth ; sixth and seventh;
largest. Lower labials 10 or 11, the sixth largest.

Dorsal scales in 25 rows (rarely 23 or 27) ; the carination feeble, on^"
the outer rows and on the tail obsolete. Ventral plates 200' to 234,
Snbcaudals 68 to 85.

This is a distinctly spotted serpent. The ground color above varies -
from gray to brown and reddish, many of the scales having a broad edge-
of cream color. There is a dorsal series of broad blotches of a brown or
chocolate color, and these are edged with black. These blotches,, about
60 from head to tail, are from three to six scales long and extend down
on the sides to about the sixth row of scales. They are separated on the
back by two scales' length. Alternating with these blotches is another
series on each side, situated on the third to the seventh rows of scales.
Below these is a third series, smaller and usually less distinct. They
alternate with those of the second series, and lie opposite the doi^al
spots. Sometimes they lie on a level with the second series, but are
smaller. The under surface is yellowish, with large squarish blotches of
black. The head sometimes with a dark streak from the eye to the cor-
ner of the mouth, and another downward from the eye.

This snake may attain a total length of five feet, and even more. Its
geograjjhical range appears to be altogether northern, from Michigan tc
Minnesota and south to Southern Indiana. New Harmony (Sampson's'
coll.) ; Wheatland (R. Ridgway) ; Hamilton County (Hay). This last
mentioned specimen has 85 snbcaudals.

This snake appears to be the northern representative of C. guUaiUs, £c
species that is at home in the Southern States, but which also is found ins
Indiana. By some authors, as Mr. Samnel Garman, vulpinus is regarded
as only a variety of guttatus. The latter may be recognized as a redder
snake, w^ith fewer blotches along the back (about 45, instead of 60), asd
with 27 rows of scales.

The Fox-snake appears to be moderately common in some localities. It
is often known as the " Pilot-snake," and is supposed to have some mys-
terious connection with the rattlesnake. It is a wholly innocent snake^
although, as it seems, a little inclined to be pugnacious. Dr. Suckley
(^0, xii, pt. ii, 300) states that one of these snakes was brought to him?
alive at Ft. Snelling, Minn. When provoked it showed its irritation hy
vibrating the tip of its slender tail, which, when striking a crumpled leaf
or any other small object, would produce a well-marked rattling noise^
very similar to that made by the rattlesnake under the same circu-mstaiS'
ces. Other observers make mention of the same habit.

Mr. Robert Ridgway, of the Smithsonian Institution, writes me that^
while hunting near Mt. Carmel, 111., he came upon a Fox-snake over six:

92

feet in length. It immediately showed a disposition to fight, and Mr.
Ridgway says that it was the most viciously pugnacious snake that he had
ever seen. An examination of the stomach showed that it had just
swallowed a half-grown rabbit. Its disposition appears to be in strong
contrast to that of C. obsoleh(8, which, so far as I have been able to learn,
is very gentle.

These snakes, being wholly harmless and subsisting on vermin of
various kinds, ought to receive the protection of the farmer.

Coluber guttatus, Linn.

Spotted Coluber.

Coluber guttatus, Linnseus, 1766, 6i, ed. xii, i, 385; Holbrook, 1842,
54-, iii, 65, pi. 14; Scotophis guttatus, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 78;
Elaphis guttatus, Garman, 1883, 13, 55, pi. iv, fig. 1.

Form elongated and somewhat compressed. Head narrow, tapering to
the rounded snout. Tail about one-sixth the total length. Cephalic
plates not greatly different from those of C. vulpinus. The dorsal scales
disposed in 27 rows ; rather feebly keeled, those of some of the outer rows
smooth. Ventral plates 214 to 236; subcaudals 63 to 79.

The ground color is light red, fading in alcohol to brownish yellow.
Along the back there is a series of about 40 blotches, or " saddles"
(Cope), of dark red, each dark bordered. These blotches are somewhat
irregular and variable in form. They are from 4 to 6 scales in length.
Below this dorsal series on each side is another series of spots, alternately
larger and smaller. Of these, the larger alternate with the dorsal series.
All these send down prolongations to the belly. The lower surface is
checkered with black and yellow. Head red, with a band of dark red,
edged with black, running across the face, through the eyes, and to the
corners of the mouth, and on the sides of the neck; another narrower
band in front of this, and a third from the back of the head to the neck.
The size is about that of C. vulpinus.

Distributed from Virginia to Illinois, and south to tlie Gulf of Mex-
ico. It has been sent to the National Museum from Mt. Carmel, Illi-.
nois. This Mt. Carmel specimen has only twenty-six rows of scales.
Some Colubers in the collection of Mr. A. W. Butler, of Brookville, I
refer to this species. Another specimen, undoubtedly C. guttatus, is
said to have been taken in Putnam county, at Greencastle. It is a large
specimen, and has the characteristic head-bands. The scales are wholly
smooth.

Of this serpent, Holbrook remarks that it is commonly observed
labout the roadsides early in the morning or at the dusk of evening ;

93

unlike most snakes, concealing itself during the day. It is very gentle
and familiar, frequenting the neighborhood of settlements, and at times
entering houses. According to Catesby, it is a great robber of hen-
roosts. If so, it must take the young fowls, and possibly the eggs.

Coluber obsoletus, Say.
Alleghany Black-snake.

Coluber obsoletus, Say, 1823, U, i, 140 ; Holbrook, 1842, 54, iii, 61,
pi. 12 ; Coluber alleghaniensis, Holbrook, 1842, 54., iii, 85, pi. 19 ; Scotophis
alleghaniemis, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 73; Elaphis obsoletus, Garrnan,
1883, 13, 54, pi. iv, fig. 2 ; Seotophis conjinus, Baii'd and Girard, 1853,
6, 76.

A snake attaining a large size, of moderate slenderness, and with a tail
that forms a fifth of the total length. Head rather broad and the snout
blunt. Mouth large. Eye of medium size. Crown-shields 9 ; those
behind the prefrontals large. Postfrontals bent down on the face.
Rostral broad, and the snout projecting. Upper labials 8 (rarely 9) ;
6th and 7th largest. Lower labials 1 1 ; the 6th largest. Scales feebly
keeled ; some of the exterior rows smooth ; disposed in 27 rows (in some
specimens, 25 rows*). Ventral plates 230 to 250; subcaudals 53 to 86.

Color varying from gray brown to pitch-black, sometimes with a tinge
of red. Often with numerous evident spots ; sometimes the spots obso-
lete, as in our form, the typical obsoletus. In this, the general color is a
black with a bluish tinge, or a pitch-black, most pronounced on the pos-
terior portion of the body. The anterior half may be lighter, and show
evidences of blotches. The whole of this part may have a decided tinge
of red, this being due to the color of the skin between the scales ; yet
the red may run up on the bases of the scales. Occasionally the spots
of the upper surface are of a decided red. The dorsal blotches extend
down on the sides to about the 7th row of scales, counting from the
lowest. They are about 6 scales long, and are separated by the length
of 2 scales. Alternating with these is another series which extend from
the od to the 7th rows of scales. These spots are all feebly indicated
by the sulphur yellow of the skin between the scales ; and often the
color is almost uniform black. There are some scales with yellow or
white edges. Lower jaw and throat white. The belly is of a slate-color
or black on the hinder half; anteriorly the black is mottled with yellow-
ish, which color becomes more and more abundant, until the throat and
chin are entirely yellowish. Small, or even half-grown, individuals may
have a ground color of ash-gray and numerous dark blotches.

'■'A specimen from Brookville, Indiana, which resembles in other respects C. obsoletns,
has 29 rows of scales.

94

Cduher dbsoletus eonfinis is common in the southern portion of the
iSJnited States. It has the scales in twenty-five, occasionally twenty-
-•seven, rows. The ground color is ash gray, and there are about forty-
".■four elongated dorsal blotches of dark chocolate brown. Below these
'blotches are two other series of elongated spots of a similar color. The
latter spots run together to form on each side, especially arteriorly, a
longitudinal stripe. Ventral i:)lates about 240. A specimen of Coluber,
:iburteen inches long, sent me from Terre Haute by Prof. Blatchley,
.agrees in almost every respect with Baird and Girard's description of
Seotophis confinii. It has, however, two temporal plates, instead of one,
;as stated by Prof. Cope. It is undoubtedly the same form as two large
specimens before me, one from Georgia, the other from Mississippi.
The latter belong to Coluber spiloides. When the small specimen is
compared with other half-grown and adult specimens of C. obsoletus, they
.appear to form an unbroken series from the very spotted young up to
;the adults of uniform black. I conclude that C. spiloides is not more
tthan a variety of C. obsoletus, and C. confinis is probably an individual
•variation with respect to its temporals.

Coluber obsoletus obsoletus ranges from southeast New York and the east-
i«rn base of the Alleghany Mountains to the plains, and south to North
Carolina and Texas. It probably occurs in all portions of our own
"State. It has been taken in the following localities : Wheatland
((Ridgway) ; Franklin county, where it is common (Hughes and But-
ter); Monroe county (Ind. Univ. coll.); Jackson county fSt. Nor.
.-Sch. coll.); Terre Haute (St. Nor. Sch. coll. and Prof. Blatchley);
Jrvington (W. P. Hay). Three of the specimens examined, one taken
-at Irvington, another taken in Jackson county, and a third from Terre
Haute, had only twenty-five rows of scales.

So far as I am aware, this is entirely a forest-inhabiting species. Our

indistinctly spotted and almost jet black form is not distinguished by

>xnogt people from tbe Black-racer, although it is a very different snake.

"The latter is a slenderer snake and has very smooth scales in only sev-

-«nteen rows.

Coluber obsoletiis spends its time hiding about hollow logs and in holes
rabout standing trees. It often ascends trees in search of birds and
itheir young. Mr. Amos W, Butler, of Brook ville, says that they are
{the most destructive to birds of all our snakes. Besides birds, they no
.doubt prey on mice, rats, rabbits and other small animals. The dispo-
sition of this serpent is gentle, and it makes little resistance when sur-
iprised and seized by head and tail. It will open its mouth in an at-
iterapt to bite, but struggles little. Under such circumstances a Racer
■would make a lively disturbance. One put into a box with a mouse
-iwould strike at the latter whenever it showed too much familiarity, but

95

it was uot harmed. lu the stomach of oue iudividual I found a number
of young mice ; in another were two okl and six young mice.

This species probably reaches a greater size than any other snake that
we have. Dr. Robert Ridgway tells me that he killed one at Mt. Car-
mel, 111. which he estimated to be over nine feet long. It made no
resistance when attacked and w^as as easily killed as an ordinary snake
two or three feet long. This species has the habit, common with many
snakes, of vibrating its tail so as to make a rattling or whirring sound.
This probably serves to warn the larger animals of its presence, so that
they may avoid it.

Dr. G. B. Goode includes this snake among those which are said to
"swallow" their young; that is, when danger threatens they open their
mouths, in order to allow the young to pass down the mother's throat for
safety. More observations need to be made on this subject.

I have been able to find in print no observations on the breeding habits
of this snake. When and where are the eggs laid ? How many of these
are there? How soon do they hatch? These are a few of the things
that many a farmer's boy might be able to find out for us. Two indi-
viduals were taken at Fall Creek, Marion County, while in sexual union.
This was on June 19. The male was 5 ft. 3 in. long ; the female was
6 ft. 3 in. The female contained sixteen eggs. They have a thick cov-
ering, and must be laid before hatching. Prof. Blatchley writes (-9^, '91,
31) that he kept one, 5 ft. 7 in. long, for sometime in confinement. It
would, on being disturbed, vibrate its tail in such a way as to make a
rattling sound. When the room was entered at night with a lamp the
snake would hiss with a loud, gurgling noise. A large Horned Owl, kept
in the same room, was attacked by the snake, tightly enveloped in its
coils and so badly crushed that it soon died.

Maximilian {103, xxxii) has confirmed the popular notion that the
snake will eat fowls' eggs. One entered his room, climbed to a vessel of
eggg, and swallowed a number of them. After the eggs had passed down
the throat the shells were crushed by a powerful constriction of the walls
of the stomach.

Genus NATRIX, Laurenti.

iVotm, Laurenti, 1768, 109, 73 ; Tropidonotus, " Kuhl, 1826, 77, 205";
Cope, 1875, IS, 42; Garman, 1883, 13, 22; Nerodia and Regina, Baird
and Girard, 1853, 6, 38, 45.

Form varying from stout to slender. Head distinct from the body.
Crown-shields 9. Loral present. Anteorbitals 1 or 2. Postorbitals
2 or 3. Nasals divided with the nostril between. Scales conspicuously
keeled ; arranged in from 19 to 33 rows. Anal plate divided.

96

Key to the Species of Natrix in the E. U. S., north of Florida,

A. Colors arranged in lengthwise stripes; scales in 19-21 rows.

a. With a vertebral dark vitta; another on fifth row of scales;
a pale stripe along the flanks, and two dark stripes on the
middle of the belly. leberis, p. 96.

aa. With a vertebral light band.

b. A dark vitta on 1st row, another on 8th; two rows of
black dots on middle of the belly. rigida, Appendix,
bb. Dark vittte on 4th and 8th rows ; belly uniform yellow.

grahamii, Appendix,
bbb. Dark vittre on 2d and 3d, and on 5th and 6th rows ; ab-
domen with two clouded bands on yellow ground.
Texas. clarkii,

A A. Colors arranged in form of blotches ; scales in 19 to 33 rows.

c. Scales in 19-21 rows. kirtlandii, p. 97.

cc. Scales in 23-25 rows.

d. Anteorbitals 1 ; upper labials 8. sipedoji, p. 98.

dd. Anteorbitals 2 ; upper labials 9. Washington, D. C.

bisecta^
ccc. Scales in 27-33 rows.

e. Scales in 27 rows ; 3 alternating rows of square spots.

rhombifera, p. 101.

66. Scales in 27-29 rows ; a row of small plates between the

eyes and the upper labials. cyelopion. Appendix^

cccc. Scales in 31-33 rows. Maryland to Florida. taxispilota.

Natrix leberis, (Linn.).
Leailipr-snake.

Coluber fe6ms, Linnreus, 1758, 6'^, ed. x, 216 ; Tropidonotus leberis, Hoi-
brook, 1842, 54, iv, 49, pi. 13 ; Garman, 1883, 13, 27, pi. 2, fig. 1 ;
Begina leberis, Baird & Girard, 1853, 6, 45; Natrix leberis. Cope, 1892,
3, 668.

Head rather small, not much broader than the neck; somewhat de-
pressed. Nasals 2, sometimes not well separated. Anteorbitals and
postorbitals each 2. Upper labials 8, the 5th and 6th largest, the eye
over 3d and 4th. Lower labials 10, the 5th and 6th largest. Scales dis-
posed in 19 rows ; all distinctly keeled, giving the snake a rough appear-
ance. Ventrals 140 to 151. Pairs of subcaudals 64 to 86. Tail forming
about one-fourth the total length.

The color above varies from olive brown to chestnut brown. There is
a vertebral dark stripe occupying the median row of scales, and another

97

on e:ich side, occupying the 5th row tVoiu tlie outside. Along each flank
there is a yeUowish laud lying on the upper half of the 1st and the lower
half of the 2d rows of scales. Below this pale band there is a dark line
occupying the outer ends of the ventral plates and the lower half of the-
1st row of dorsal scales. The belly is yellow, with two brown bands which
lie close together and run from the throat to the vent. Upper labials^,
lower jaw, and the throat yellow.

This species inhabits the United States east of the Mississippi River.
In Indiana, it has been taken as follows : Franklin county (Butler and
Hughes) ; Parke county (Butler) ; St. Paul, Decatur county (Hay) ;
Terre Haute (Blatchley) ; Richmond (F. C. Test) ; Wabash county (W.
O. Wallace). It may be expected to occur along all our streams.

This species seems to be wholly aquatic. When pursued, it exhibits
great skill in secreting itself among the stones and other accumulations
along the water's edge. Its colors are in a high degree protective. Little
appears to be known concerning its special habits. Mr. A. W. Butler in-
forms me that in Franklin County it appears as early as March 20, and
is to be found still in November.

A gravid female 24 inches long, from Wabash county, contained 8
eggs, each of which had within it a young snake about 6.5 inches long,
but not yet ready to be born. The eggs differ in form and length, on
account of pressure. The two hindermost lie in the left oviduct. The
egg coverings are very thin and delicate. The brown longitudinal stripes
of the young are so distinct that the species might easily be determined.
The brown ventral bands have not yet appeared.

Natrix kirtlandi, (Kenn).

Kirtland' .s Snake.

Regina kirtlandi, Kennicott, 1856, i, 95 ; Tropidoelonium kirtlandi.
Cope, 1860, 1, 340; Tropidonotus kirtlandii, Garman, 1883, 13, 28, pL
1, fig. 3 ; Clonophis kirtlandii, Cope, 1888, 3, xi, 391.

A snake having a moderately slender body, a small head, and a tail
constituting about one-fourth the entire length. Head little larger than
the neck. Crown-shields nine. Snout rather short. Loral present^
higher than long. Nasal divided, or only partly so. Anteoi'bital one,
high. Postorbitals two, the upper small. Upper labials six (five), the
fifth the largest. Lower labials, seven or eight, the fifth and sixth the
largest. Scales all distinctly keeled ; arranged in nineteen rows. Ven-
trals 120 to 133. Subcaudals 50 to 65 pairs.

In life, the ground color of the upper surface is a dull red, most dis-
tinct along the middle line ; all the scales dotted with brown. Along
each, flank, involving the outer one-fourth of the ventral plates and two
7

98

or three of the lower rows of scales, is a band of silver-gray. There
are on each side of the body three rows of alternating spots of dark-
brown. Of these spots, those of the middle row are largest and most
distinct. They lie on the second to the sixth rows of scales, are about
two scales long, and are separated by one-half scale's length. There are
about fiftj^-five of these spots from the head to the vent. Above this
row is another of considerably smaller and fainter spots. The spots of
the lowest row occupy the lower edge of each alternate scale of the first
row. Belly deep salmon-red, each side ornamented by a row of dis-
tinct black sppts, the size of the eye. They are located on the inner
half of the outer fourth of the ventrals. Whole throat and lower jaw
light salmon, as are the upper la])ials and the snout. Head brown, be-
coming black on the upper edges of the upper labials. The length may
become about eighteen inches.

This species is distributed from New Jersey ( i, '60, 340,) to Illinois.
It is a common species about Indianapolis, almost as common as Eutainia
sirtalis. It is found in Monroe county (D. S. Jordan) ; Crawfordsville
{Beaehler) ; Winchester (Engle and Wright) ; rare about Terre Haute,
common in Putnam county ( Blatchley)

This is a handsome species of snake, and one that is wholly innocent.
Nevertheless, it exercises the right of the innocent, and when attacked
makes a show of self-defense. It has a habit of flattening itself exces-
sively, so that it becomes very broad and thin. It will strike vigorously,
but does no harm. It appears early in the spring, and is seen late in
the autumn. In a mild winter and on a sunny day, I have seen it
on January 25. On the other hand, I have seen it as late as the
middle of October; indeed, it appears to ])e more abundant late in
the autumn than in the summer. About this date, several half-grown
ones were found. On the 21st of March, one was dug up out of the
mud on the margin of a pond. A specimen from Winchester, Indiana,
contained eight eggs. These had, apparently, not begun development,
and were only about .44 inch long. The species probably produces
living young.

Natrix sipedon, (Linn.).
Water-snake.

Coluber d'pedon, Linnaeus, 1758, 6J^, ed. x, 219; Tropidonotus sipedon,
Holbrook, 1842, oi, iv, 29, pi. 6 ; Garman, 1883, 13, 25, pi. 2, fig. 3 ;
Nerodia sipedon, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 38 ; Natrix fasciata sipedon,
Cope, 1892, 3, 671.

Variety fasciata. Tropidonotus fasciatus, Holbrook, 1842, o^., iv, 25,
pi. 5; Coluber fasciatus, Linnaeus, 1766, 64, ed. xii, i, 378; Nerodia
fasciata, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 39 ; Natrix famiata. Cope, 1892,
3, 670.

99

Variety erythrogaster. Coluber enjthrogader, Shaw, 1804, 71, iii, 458 ;
Tropidonotus eryikrogader, Holbrook, 1842, 5^, iv, 33, pi. 7; Nerodia
erythrogaster, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 40; Natrix fasdata erythrogaster,
Cope, 1892, 3, 673.

Variety woodhonseii. Nerodia woodhouseii, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 42.

This widely distriljuted and variable species has been described under
a great number of names, each of which has been regarded as that of a
distinct species. It is doubtful if some of the above will be able to main-
tain their position even as recognized varieties.

Natrix sipedon is our most common Water-snake, and when fully grown
attains a large size. The head is rather narrow, and pointed in front.
Anteorbital 1, high. Postorbitals 3. Nasal sometimes divided above.
Upper labials usually 8, the 6th and 7th large, the eye over 4th and 5tli.
Inferior labials 10. Scales strongly keeled ; arranged in 23, rarely 25,
rows. Ventral plates 135 to 150. Subcaudals GO to 75.

The ground color varies from ashy to brown. Along the back there is
a series of brown spots, about 30 in number, from the head to the vent.
These are about three scales long and descend on the sides to the
sixth row of scales. They are separated on the back by the length
of one-half scale. Along each side is another series of similarly colored
square blotches. These either come opposite the dorsal blotches or alter-
nate with them. When the three series are opposed, they unite to form
continuous cross bands over the body. Spaces between the lateral blotches
equal to or less than width of blotches. When they alternate, they touch
at their contiguous angles. All the blotches are dark edged, while the
ground color around each is paler. Occasionally the blotches unite across
the back to form oblique bands. Again, the ground color is sometimes
so dark that the blotches are obscured. Upper surface of the head brown.
Upper labials, lower jaw, throat, and sometimes the anterior portion of
the belly, yellow. The brown of the belly often takes the form of trian-
gular spots and these are often suffused with red. On the outer ends of
the ventral plates anteriorly there begin to be some mottlings of brown.
Purther back this increases, until the whole or nearly the whole, of the
belly is brown.

In the young the contrast between the ground color and spots is greater,
the spots being nearly black.

This variety of the species N. sipedon is distributed over the country
from the Atlantic to the Mississippi Valley, and south to the Gulf. It is
the common Water-snake of Indiana and it seems to be needless to specify
localities.

Natrix sipedon fasdata. This form of sij^edon is characterized by
having a series of dorsal blotches of brown or black, about thirty in num-
ber to the vent, and these spots run down on the sides of the animal,
i>ecoming narrower. The spaces between the blotches are occupied on

TOO

the flanks by red spot?, which extend down to the ventral phites. Some-
times the red spots lie just below the dark dorsal blotches, and are sep-
arated by narrow dusky bauds that connect above with the dorsal blotches.
Underneath the color is reddish white, and there may be some dark
marbling.

This variety is abundant in the Southern States, and has been taken
by Mr. Robert Ridgway at Wheatland.

N. ^ipedon erythrogaster. In this variety the upper surface is almost or
entirely without dark blotches, the color being a uniform blue-black. The
head and neck may be almost black. The belly, as its name implies, is
more or less red in life, yellow in alcohol. Holbrook's figure of this
snake represents its under surface as being of a coppery red. It, too, is
found mostly in the South, but has been reported from Southern Illinois,
and from Mt. Carmel, on the Wabash River. A specimen from that
place is in the National Museum. It may, therefore, be regarded as an
Indiana serpent. Mr. F. C. Test, of the National Museum, tells me that
this snake is found in Hamilton county. Mr. Robert Ridgway says that
it is very abundant at some points along the Wabash River. Mr. A. B.
Ulrey, of Wabash county, has shown me a large specimen which was
obsoletely blotched above, red below, with some brown mottliugs. It
appears to be intermediate between sipedon and erythrogaster.

N. sipedon woodhousei. This variety has not yet been reported from.
Indiana, but it is in the National Museum from St. Louis, Mo. , and even
from Northern Illinois. Its range is toward Texas. It is distinguished
by having the scales in twenty-five rows. The lateral blotches alternate
with the dorsal and are elongated downward, and are separated by spaces
wider than themselves. It deserves to be sought for in our State.

Natrix sipedon, known as the " Water-snake," " Water Moccasin," is
extremely abundant in all our streams. Under the impression that it is
poisonous it is greatly feared by many people, who suppose it to be the
same as the poisonous moccasin of the Southern rivers. This is a mis-
take, and the name moccasin ought not to be applied to our species. It
has no poison fangs whatever, and its bite would produce nothing more
serious than a fright and a i'ew scratches. This snake is, however, of an
ugly and sullen disposition, and when caught will struggle and strike and
bite. It may be seen along the river banks, gliding from stone to stone,
or swimming hastily away, to escape observation. When pursued it Avili
dive to the bottom and C(mceal itself among stones and vegetation. Hol-
brook states that it is frequently seen resting on the low branches of trees
that overhang the water.' Of faseiata, whose habits are doubtless iden-
tical with those of our form, Holbrook says that it is a bold animal, and
is one of the very few snakes that will, in confinement, devour its prey.
These serpents all probably leave the water at times during the night and

101

wander about. I have a large specimen of erythrogaster that, in the night,
fell into a well that was being dug.

The food of this snake consists of frogs, fishes, and similar animals.
There is an account in Nature of oiie which was found swallowing another.
Prof. Blatchley (94^, '91, 30) says that he found seven large Leopard
Frogs in the stomach of one of these snakes. Dr. J. A. Allen tells of
seeing one brought from the water with a pickerel a foot long in its mouth.

These snakes are ovoviviparious, that is, they retain the eggs in the
body until they are hatched. In some cases the eggs may be laid a little
before the hatching takes place. In 1, 1887, 121, we are told of a case
in which 33 young were taken from the body of one large female. Each
one had attached to it a portion of an egg, from which it was absorbing
nutriment. Prof. F. W. Putnam tells us of a family of 22 of the young
of this snake, which were found in Massachusetts. Each one was 8
inches long. Another smaller specimen from Northern Indiana con-
tained 16 eggs. The young in these eggs were 7.5 inches long. Each of
these was provided with a well-developed egg-tooth.

While investigating the question whether or not snakes "swallow"
their young, Prof. G. B. Goode found evidences that this act had been
observed in the case of the Water-snake seventeen different times.
This being such a common snake further observations ought to be made.
If one thinks that the young have been seen to enter the mother's mouth
she ought, if possible, to be caught, handled carefully, and pvit into a cage,
to see if the young will come out again. Or, if she is killed, a careful
dissection ought to be made, in order to learn whether or not the young
are really in the stomach.

Natrix rhombifera, (Hallowell).

Diamond Water-snake. ,

Tropidonotus rhombifer, Hallowell, 1852, 1, 177 ; Nerodia rhomhifer,
Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 147; Natrix rhombifera, Cope, 1892, 3, 673.

Head narrow. Anteorbital 1, sometimes 2. Postorbitals 3, the low-
est nearly meeting the anteorbital under the eye. Upper labials 8, the
sixth and seventh largest; the eye over third and fourth, not in contact
with the fourth on account of the lowest postorbital. Lower labials 11,
the fifth and sixth largest. Scales in 27 rows, all conspicuously keeled.
Ventrals 136 to 141. Subcaudals 62 to 70.

Ground color above reddish gray. On the middle of the back there is
a series of about 50 squarish brown blotches. Alternating with the dor-
sal series there is, on each side, a series of similarly colored blotches.
The dorsal spots are about two scales long, and separated by the length
of three scales. The lateral blotches reach down to the ventrals and even

102

lower; while above they join the contiguous corners of the dorsal
blotches. Of these blotches about 32 lie in front of the vent. Occa-
sionally there is a little confusion in the relations of the blotches of the
different series, but not much. The belly is yellowish white, with a few
triangular spots of black, giving it a speckled appearance. The head is
smoky brown above as far down as the upper edges of the upper labials.
The lower edges of these are yellow, with a black border on the hinder
edge. The lower labials are similarly yellow, with black posterior edges.

The size is about that of Natrix sipedon, 2 feet 8 inches or more.

This species is distributed from Michigan to Louisiana and Texas.
There is a specimen of it in the National Museum from Lafayette Oth-
ers have been sent there by Mr. Robert Ridgway from Wheatland. I
have seen another specimen in Mr. Sampson's collection made at New
Harmony. It is no doubt generally distributed throughout the State,

Of the habits of this species I know nothing, except that it is an
aquatic snake.

Genus HETERODON, Beauv.

Seterodon, Pal. de Beauvais, 1802,57, iv, 32; Holbrook, 1842, 54, iii,
87 ; Baird & Girard, 1853, 6, 51.

Body short and stout. Neck nearly as thick as the head. Tail
short. Head broad, short and high. Head, neck and body capable of
great flattening. Outline of mouth much curved, rising behind the
eyes. Posterior teeth longer and fang-like. Snout projecting beyond
the mouth, shovel shaped. The rostral with a sharp horizontal edge
and a longitudinal ridge above. This followed behind by a small azy-
gous plate. Upper labials cut off from contact with the eyes by sub-
orbital plates. Dorsal scales keeled. Anal plate divided.

Key to the Species of Heterodon.

Prefrontals separated by the azygos only. H. platirliinos, p. 102.

Prefrontals and sometimes postfrontals separated by a number of

small plates. H. dmus, p. 105.

Heterodon platirhinos, Latr.

Hog-nosed Snake; Spreading Vij^er.

Heterodon platirhinos, Latreille, 1802, 57, iv, 32; Holbrook, 1842, 54.,
iv, 67, pi. 17 ; H. platyrhinos, Baird & Girard, 1853, 6, 51 ; Garman,
1883, IS, 75, pi. 6, fig. 5 ; Heterodon niger, Troost, 1836, 62, iii, 186 ;
Baird & Girard, 1853, 6, 55.

Body stout and heavy. Tail about one-fourth the entire length, often
shorter. Head rather broad and short, but quite deep. The usual nine
crown-shields present. In addition, there is an azygous plate between-

103

the prefrontals. Rostral greatly developed, trihedral, pointed, and
upturned. Nasals two, with the nostril between. Lorals two, these
sometimes united. The anteorbitals forming a part of the row of small
plates which encircle the eye. This ring is completed above by the
supraoccipital. Mouth-cleft large and much curved. Upper labials
eight, lower labials eleven. Eye large. Scales keeled, except those of
the outer row, which are smooth ; arranged in twenty-five, occasionally
twenty-three, rows. Ventral plates 120 to 150. Subcaudals 45 to 60..

The color of the upper surface varies from yellowish, reddish brown^
and eveu brick red, with dark blotches, to a uniform gray, olive-brown,
blue-black, or black. When the color is not uniform there are to be
seen three series of dark spots. One of these is vertebral, and consists
of from twenty to thirty brown blotches, each from two to five scales
long. They extend down some distance on the sides, but are likely to-
fade out into the ground color. On the median line, these blotches are
separated by about the length of three scaler. Alternating with the
dorsal blotches is a series of lateral spots, circular and of a dark color..
These are not developed on the tail, while the dorsal blotches fomn
bands that extend nearly around the tail. Sometimes there are small
spots on the lowest rows of scales forming a third series. All the spots;
are variable in size and depth of color. Head with a dark band run-
ning across from one orbit to the other, a black band from the eye to-
the corner of the mouth, and another across the occipital plates on to*
the sides of the neck. The under surface is yellow, with some mottlings;
of brown.

The uniformly colored individuals which were for a long time regarded
as a distinct species, difl^er in having the color uniform gray to black
above, slate color below. There are, however, all gradations in the
amount of black and the distinctness of the spots to be found, and these
completely connect the two supposed species.

This snake may attain the length of three feet. The body being;
heavy, the size then becomes conspicuous.

The distribution is from Pennsylvania to Florida and west to Minne-
sota and Texas. I have reports and specimens Irom many points in In-
diana. Both spotted and uniform specimens are found at New Harmony
(Sampson's coll.) ; also about Brookville (Hughes). I have specimens
from Vernon, Jennings county (J. Cope) ; from Fountain county (C
H. Smith, Veedersburg) ; Vigo and Jackson counties (Normal School
coll.); said by Mr. Beachler to occur at Crawfordsville, Montgomery
county ; Brown county (Chas. Jameson). Specimens sent me from
Veedersburg by Mr. Smith are intermediate between the two supposed
forms, and the same is true of some in the collection made by Prof»
Evermann, at Terre Haute. Prof. Blatchley reports having found the

104

two forms copulating together (94, 1891, 32). Mr. Quick, of Brook-
ville, tells of a similar case.

This is a short-bodied and clumsy snake. It has a peculiar habit,
•when it is disturbed, of flattening out its head and anterior part of the
body, so that it has quite a formidable appearance. It is said to inflate
the skin of the head and neck, but it is doubtful if it really does this.
When enraged it hisses loudly, and this has given origin to the bame,
*' blowing adder." The snake has a very bad reputation among the peo-
ple, as is shown by the names "adder" and "viper." Long ago a
•writer said of it: " When approached it becomes flat, appears of diflfer-
«nt colors, and opens its mouth hissing. Great caution is necessary not
to enter the atmosphere which surrounds it. It decomposes the air,
which imprudently inhaled induces languor. The person wastes away,
Vthe lungs are afiected, and in the coui'se of four months he dies of con-
sumption." The popular notion about this snake even yet is that it is
very poisonous, and that it can even spit venom. This bad reputation
may be due to its resemblance to some of the poisonous snakes, and to
the great show of bravery which the snake often indulges in. It is, on
the contrary, regarded by herpetologists as one of the most harmless of
•our serpents. At the base of its upper jaws there is on each side a long
tooth, which some have supposed might act as a poison fang. It has no
«canal or groove, is not connected with any known source of poison, and
is, moreover, so far back that it is hard to see how it could be used in
striking an eneny. It would be of immense advantage in swallowing
frogs. A number of scientific men have reported that they have allowed
themselves to be bitten by this snake and have received no harm. When
attacked it spreads out its head and body, utters a hiss, and presents a
threatening appearance. However, when it is tormented it will feign
death, souietimes turning over on its back and remaining motionless, and
will repeat this action.

Prof. W. S. Blatchley says of two, a black one and a spotted one,
which he disturbed, " that they opened wide their mouths, turned on
their backs and coiled and twisted about in a very rapid and curious
ananner for about five minutes, when they became quiet and apparently
lifeless. During all these contortions they had remained on their backs,
and when they became quiet and were turned over they would imme-
•diately turn on their backs again, but otherwise gave no signs of life, even
;at the end of an hour's time."

This species is said to prefer dry and dusty fields ; but Dr. C. C. Ab-
bott found them in spring along ditch banks looking out for Cricket-frogs,
which a dissection showed that the snakes had been eating. Much ap-
pears to be unknown about the habits of this snake, as of most others.
What is the use of the sharp-edged, pointed snout? Is it used in bur-
rowing? Or is it employed in rooting up the ground in search of insects

105

4iud other food? Again, what influence does cultivation of the soil
have im the numbers of such sluggish serpents? Why do these survive,
while rattlesnakes and copperheads so rapidly disappear? The food of
these snakes is doubtless principally frogs, toads and probably mice.
Rev. Samuel Lockwood tells us {22, 1875, 10) that he has known them
to eat the heads of the common eel left on the f^hore by fishermen.

Some facts are known about its breeding habits. Troost dissected a
specimen and found in her 25 oval eggs, each three-fourths inch long and
without a calcareous covering. In a large female of the common form
from Veedersburg I found in one oviduct 4 eggs, and in the other 11.
The hindermost egg was an inch and a quarter long and three-quarters
•across. The eggs were covered with a tough membrane. I found no
embryos in any of the eggs. The snake has been regarded as ovovivip-
arous, but such is probably not usually, if ever, the case. We have
evidences that the eggs are usually laid and buried in the earth before
they are ready to hatch. Prof F. W. Cragin (22, xiii, 710) says that he
had 22 eggs of this snake, which had been plowed up in a sandy field
along Long Island Sound. One of these hatched four days afterward.
Another writer (22, iii, 555) states that he saw one of these snakes killed,
and out of a wound in its side there issued over 100 young, each about
^ or 8 inches long. This writer believed that these snakes were ovovi-
viparoas, and that these young had really been in the stomach of the
female The number of young in this case is certainly unusual. Another
author states that a "spotted spreading adder" contained 87 young,
«ach nearly 6 inches long. These statements about such large numbers
of eggs are undoubtedly erroneous, A nest of 27 eggs was brought to
the National Museum August 31. Tiie female was near the nest and at-
tempted to defend it. In each of tlie eggs was an embryo well devel-
oped and about 8 inches long. The eggs did not hatch until September
7 and 8. The egg coverings were ripped open by the egg-tooth of the
young snake. The young would flatten themselves when teased, and
some would feign death. Dr. G. B. Goode states (3Jf, 1873, 184) that
the female of this species has been reported as affording its young a hiding
place in her stomach.

Heterodon simus, (Linn.).
Sand Viper.

Coluber simus, Linnseus, 1766, 64, ed. xii, i, 216 ; Heterodon simus,
Holbrook, 1842, 54, iv, 57, pi. 15; Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 59;
Oarman, 1883, 13, 76, pi. vi, fig. 4.

Form much that of H. platirhinos, but probably not attaining so large
a, size. Tail shorter, about a sixth or less of the total length. Head

106

short and broad. All the crown shields short and broad. Mouth-cleft
much curved. The snout upturned. Prefrontals and postfrontals sepa-
rated by a number of small plates, which surround the azygos. Upper
labials, 8, the sixth very high, but all excluded from contact with the eye
by the suborbitals. Lower labials 9 to 11, small. Scales not conspicu-
ously keeled, disposed in 25 or 27 rows. Ventrals 117 to 150. Subor-
bitals 32 to 55.

The ground color is olive or yellowish brown, with many scales par-
tially or wholly yellowish. The upper surface is relieved by a dorsal
series of brown or blackish blotches, and two lateral series on each side.
The spots lowest down on each side are almost obsolete. The median
series consists of about 35 somewhat irregular blotches, each 3 or 4 scales
long. Alternating with these is a series of round spots about 3 scales in
length. All the spots are surrounded with an edging of yellow. There
is a narrow lilack band running across the forehead, through the eyes and
to the corner of the mouth. The belly is yellow, with some cloudings of
brown.

The length of this species is not so great as that of H. j)latirhwos, prob-
ably never exceeding two feet.

Heterodon shnus simus is found from South Carolina to Mississippi, and
north to Indiana. Further west it is replaced by H. simus nasicus, a
variety with a still more prominent rostrum, about 50 spots in the dor-
sal series, a greater number of small scales around the azygos, 23 rows of
scales, and more black on the belly.

In Indiana shmis has been taken at very few points, but it is probably
to be found throughout at least the southern portion of the State. It has
been sent to the National Museum from Brookville by Dr. R. Haymond,
It has been stated to occur at New Harmony, but I have not seen speci-
mens from that place.

I find few observations that have been made on the habits of this
species. The form nasicus, being more abundant, has been a little bet-
ter .observed, and its habits probably do not differ much from our
variety. It is much dreaded by the settlers in the West, who call it the
"Sand Viper." It is entirely harmless, and Dr. Cones states that he
could not provoke it to bite. Like its relative, platirhinos, when it is
disturbed it makes a great demonstration of hostility. One that I came
upon in a prairie path in Kansas sprang out into plain sight and began
such a wriggling and hissing that for a moment I supposed that it was
really a rattlesnake. This was probably its purpose, and such move-
ments would be quite likely to frighten away from it any large animal
that otherwise might trample it.

One writer {2:2, xvi, 566) tells of having found this snake hanging ta
the foot of a box-tortoise. The foot was bleeding, and two of the toes
had been digested off. These tortoises are not infrequently found with

107

parts of the limbs missiug, and this observation may account for such
maimings.

Genus OPHIBOLUS, B, & Q.

Ophibolm, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 82 ; Garman, 1883, 13, 64.

Form moderately stout. Head not much broader than the neck.
Crown-shields 9. Loral plates present, or only rarely absent. Ante-
orbital single. Postorbitals 2 or 3. Nasals divided, with the nostril
between. Scales smooth and shining, disposed in 21 to 25 rows. Anal
plate entire.

Key to the Eastern United States Species of Ophibolus.

A. Scales in 21 (rarely 19 or 23) rows.

a. General color red, with 22 or more triple rings of blacky
red, and black ; or ground color reddish or gray, with .40
to 50 chocolate or brown saddle-shaped blotches.

doliatus, p. 107^
aa. Ground color chestnut or olive, with about 50 rhombic
blotches along the back. Other blotches along the sides.
Southern States, north to District of Columbia.

rhonibo7naculatus,r

aaa. Ground color black, with numerous small spots of yellowish

or white, these sometimes forming transverse rows of spots,

getulus, p. 101,
AA. Scales in 25 rows.

Brownish, with 40 to 60 dark blotches above. Belly blotched,

calligaster. Appendix.

Ophibolus doliatus, (Linn).

House Snake; 3Iilk Snake; Chicken Snake

Colvber doliatus, Linnseus, 1766, 64, ed. xii, 379; Coronella doliata,
Holbrook, 1842, 54, iii, 105, pi. 24; Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 89;
Garman, 1883, 13, 64 and 155.

Variety triangtdus. Coluber triangulus, Boie, 1827, 77, 537 ; Coluber
eximius, Holbrook, 1842, 54, iii, 69, pi. 15; Baird and Girard, 1853, 6,
87 ; Ophibolus doliatus, var. triangtdus. Cope, 1875, 12, 37 ; Garman,
1883, 13, 65, pi. 5, fig. 1.

Variety syspiluM. Opthibolus doliatus syspiliis. Cope, 1888, 3, 384.

Ophibilus doliatus is an extremely variable species, and this has caused
it to be described under a great number of names, the most of which
have at one time or another stood for distinct species. Prof. Cope (3,
xiv, 608), in a general view of the species, recognizes no fewer than 11
varieties or subspecies. " In its distribution, the species ranges from Maine

108

to Panama, and illustrates well the changes which a widely spread species
undergoes, when traced from one region to another. The changes con-
cern its size, squamation, its colors and the arrangement of these colors.
The head is small, little exceeding the diameter of the neck. The
loral is present, with rare exceptions, but it is small. Upper labials 7 ;
lower labials 9, occasionally 10. The eye is small and placed over the
third and fourth labials. The scales are in 21 rows. In a few cases
there may be only 19, and in rarer cases 21 rows. They are smooth.
The ventrals range from 184 to 214. The tail forms one-sixth or one-
seventh of the entire length. The ground color varies from red to red-
dish brown and to gray. The deeper colors appear as transverse rings,
complete or incomplete, or as saddle-shaped and irregular blotches. In
O. d. coccineus, a Southern variety, the color is red, and there are triple
rings entirely encircling the body. These consist of two rings of black
enclosing between them a ring of white or yellow. In other varieties the
black rings of one set runs forward on the sides and joins the posterior
ring of the set in front. In this way the ground color becomes divided
«p into a number of dorsal blotches or "saddles." At the same time the
hue of both the ground color and of those which relieve it undergo
change.

Key to Indiana Varieties of 0. doliatus.

General color red ; large blotches, or saddles of ground color formed
by rings of adjacent sets meeting on the ventral plates. doliatus.

General color red ; blotches of ground color formed by the black rings
of adjacent sets meeting above the ends of the ventrals; single series of
black spots along middle of belly. syspilus.

General color brownish-red or gray, with dorsal saddles not descend-
ing to the ventral plates. triangidus.

Ophiholus doliatus doliatus is bright red above, yellowish in alcohol.
Across the body there run from 20 to 30 triple rings, of which two black
ones enclose one of white or yellow. The black rings do not pass
entirely around the belly, but the anterior black ring of one set turns
forward on the ends of the ventral plate on each side and joins the pos-
terior black ring of the set in front. On the sides are spots alternating
with the dorsal blotches, and these do not meet on the belly.

This variety probably does not attain a size greater than about two
feet. It is found principally in the Southern States, but has been
taken also in Indiana. I have seen specimens taken at New Harmony
(Sampson's coll.) ; Brown county (taken by Chas. Jameson) ; and Jack-
son county (Nor. Sch. coll.;. The latter specimen had 23 rows of
Bcales, otherwise it was normal. Mr. Robt. Ridgway writes that it is
not uncommon about Wheatland ; Terre Haute (Blatchley) ; Lafayette
(F. C. Test).

109

Ophibolm doliatus sysp'diis is a variety described iu 1888 by Prof. E. D,
Cope (J, xi, 384). It differs from the variety doliatiis in having the
dorsal blotches descend upon the ventral plates, and in having the spots
which alternate with them meet on the belly and form there on the mid-
dle line a single series. " The body is scarlet, banded with 22 pairs of
jet black rings, with a white ring between each pair of black. * *
The belly is marked with a single series of median black spots, which
are opposite the spaces between the dorsal saddles, or opposite the
yellow rings." The length of the longest specimen is 30.5 in. Most of
the specimens upon which this species are founded are from the South-
ern States, but one was taken at Wheatland, Ind., by Mr. Robert
Ridgway.

Ophibolus doliatus triangulus is by far the commonest variety of its
species that is found in Indiana. It is known to all under the familiar
names of "House-snake," "Milk-snake," and "Spotted Adder."'
The ground color above is ashy, more or less mingled with brown,,
this often in life tinged with red. Above are five series of blotches and
spots, a dorsal, and on each side two lateral. The spots of the dorsal
row are the largest, broader than long, and extend down on the sides,.
but do not reach to the ventral plates. They vary in number from 40'
to 60. Their color varies from grayish brown to brownish red, and are-
more or less distinctly bordered with black. This black sometimes be-
comes so conspicuous as to give the appearance of half rings on the
upper surface. The dorsal blotches often coalesce with the spots of the
series below. These latter are small and alternate with those of the
dorsal series. They are sometimes missing. The blotches of the lowest
series are located principally on the ends of the ventral plates, and
usually coalesce with the spots of either the dorsal or of the middle
series. They are commonly black or blue black. The anterior blotch
usually extends forward on to the head and terminates variously. There
is commonly a dark band across the top of the head just in front of the
eyes, and this runs back through the eyes on the lower neck. Above it
is a yellow bai^d that also extends backward on the neck. At the baek
of the head, surrounded by the termination of the first dorsal spot, is a
spot of yellow. The belly is blotched with black and creamy white, the
latter in life tinged with red.

• The length of this form may become as much as four feet. It is com-
mon throughout the State.

DeKay (30, 38) says of this snake that it is found not infrequently
in outhouses and in dairies or cellars where milk is kept, which it is
said to seek with avidity. It climbs well, and glides rapidly over the
smoothest surfaces. He adds that its vivid colors change almost immedi-
ately after death. Holbrook states that this serpent is gentle in its
habits, feeding on mice, various insects, etc. It approaches without

■ 110

fear the habitations of men, and is, hence, not infrequently called the
House-snake. It also frequents dairies where milk is kept, and this,
from a mistaken notion of its robbing the dairy-women, has given rise to
another name, the Milk-snake. A number of snakes have acquired a
reputation of drinking milk, and it would be interesting to have some
-one settle the question whether or not any of our snakes will really
•do so. This snake appears early in the spring. I have taken it March
20, and have seen a dead one along the road still earlier.

According to Dr. Goode's investigations this snake is oviparous and
guards its nest. Moreover, when danger threatens her young, the
mother finds an asylum for them down her capacious throat. (See SI/.,
'73, 182.) I have taken the eggs of this species in Illinois. They
were buried in a pile of manure and more or less glued together.
The egg is 2 inches long and a little less than \\ inches short diameter.
The covering is parchment-like. It contained a young snake 10 inches
long.

Dr. C. Hart Merriam {78, '78, 69) relates an instance of an individ-
ual of this species having swallowed a specimen of a Striped-snake two-
thirds its own length.

Ophibolus getulus, (Linn.).

K.ing-m,ake.

Coluber getulus, Linnseus, 1766, 64-, ed. xii, i, 382 ; Coronelkt geiula,
Holbrook, 1842, 54-, iii, 95, pi. 21 ; Ophibolus getulus, Baird and Girard,
1853, 6, 85 ; Garman, 1883, IS, 68, pi. 5, fig. 3.

Variety sayi.

Coronella sayi, Holbrook, 1842, 54, 99, pi 22 ; Ophibolus sayi, Baird
and Girard, 1853, 6, 84; Op)hibolus getulus var. sayi. Cope, 1875, 13, 37;
Garman, 1883, 13, 68, pi. 5, fig. 4.

Ophibolus doliatus var. sayi has a rather elongated and slender body
and small head. The tail forms only about an eight of the total length.
The vertical plate is triangular. Anteorbital single ; postorbitals two,
small. The loral is small. The snout is pointed and projecting. Upper
labials 7, the eye over the 3d and 4th. Lower labials 10, the 4th and
5th largest. Ventral plates 210 to 225 ; subcaudals 48 to 55.

The color above is deep brown to jet black, more or fewer of the scales
being ornamented each with a small spot of white or yellow. These spots
usually largest on the lowest scales. Often they are scattered over the
body quite regularly ; at other times there are rows of these spots which
form narrow lines across the back at intervals of about 5 or 6 scales. In this
case there may be as many as 70 of these cross-lines. The areas between
such lines may be without spots or may be spotted. Sometimes the lines

Ill

fork ou the sides, the branches anastomosing so as to divide the ground
-color into more or less distinct blotches. Each plate of the head with one
or more spots of yellow. Labials bright yellow, bordered with black.
Throat yellow. Belly yellowish, checkered with blue- black, the blotches
following the plates. The length may be four feet or more.

This variety is distributed from Southern Indiana and Illinois south and
southwest to Mexico. A specimen found in Mr. Sampson's collection at
New Harmony and assigned by me to the typical getulus (94, 1887, 64) is
probably more closely related to saiji. Sayi has also been taken at Mt.
Carmel, 111., on the Wabash River. Prof. Blatchley reports having
found a small specimen at Terre Haute. Recently Mr. F. C. Test of the
U. S. Nat. Museum has shown me a large specimen of the variety sayi
that he took at Lafayette, Ind. This is by far the most northern locality
for the State, if not for the Mississippi Valley. The cross-bands of white
are very narrow, and there are few spots on the scales between the bands.
Length 3ft. 2 in.

Ophibolus getulus getulus differs from sayi in having the white and yellow
more definitely disposed in bands which divide up the ground color into
blotches. Of these there are a dorsal and a lateral series on each side.
There are about 25 to 35 of the yellow cross-bands over the back. Usually
the lateral blotches alternate with the dorsal. Occasionally a specimen
may have more yellow than black. The belly has various proportions of
i;he yellow and the black. Southern in distribution, but likely to occur
in Indiana.

Ophibolus getulus niger is a so-called variety of this species which Yar-
row (3, V, 438) has described from specimens sent to him from Wheat-
land by Mr. Robert Ridgway.

It is characterized by the almost complete absence of the usual yellow
-spots. The head plates are entirely black, not spotted. On the body
there are spots on only a few of the scales of the lower rows. The
abdomen is dull black, with white blotches. One specimen taken at
Wheatland was 4 feet 6 inches long. This form is reported to be common
in that region. We have in the King-snake another illustration of the
phenomena seen in Heteroden platirhinos, Natrix sipedon, and some
others, a gradual transition from very spotted specimens to those which
are of a plain black color. We can not give a distinct name to every
stage in the change.

Habits. — The habits of the different varieties of this species are, in all
probability, identical. It appears to be a snake of a mild and harmless
disposition. It is extremely active and strong. Holbrook says of it that
it is found abundantly in moist and shady jDlaces, although it never takes
to water or trees. It feeds on moles, small birds, or such reptiles as
lizards, salamanders, toads and the like, that fall in its way. He further

112

says that it is commonly believed'that it is the great enemy of the rattle-
snake, but that there is no great evidence of this. He, however, tells of
one that had as a fellow-prisoner a Grotalophorics miliarms, or Southern
Ground Rattlesnake, and swallowed him. I found that in Mississippi
this snake had the reputation of destroying rattlesnakes, and it received
protection on this account. Dr. Elliott Coues {9, 4, 269) says that the
Black-snake (Bascwiion constrictor) and Ophibolus getulus sayi wage a con-
stant warfare against rattlesnakes and moccasins. They are said to be
uniformly victorious and to eat their victims. It is on account of their
prowess in thus destroying poisonous serpents that they have received
the name of King-snake. Mr. J. T. Humphreys, Burke county, North
Carolina, gives (22, xv, 561) an interesting account of a conflict in a
cage between a king-snake, sayi, and a water-moccasin. The former
was 42 inches long, the latter 34, but with a considerably larger body.
The moccasin was killed, its bones crushed, and, beginning at the head,,
the king-snake swallowed 16 inches of the moccasin's body Chloroform
was then administered and both snakes preserved. The king-snake had
previously, while in captivity, eaten seven snakes. Dr. Yarrow {22, xii,
470) describes a specimen of getulus in the National Museum that has
two perfect heads. One head is a little larger than the other. The two
gullets unite to pass into the one stomach.

Professor Cope (3, xiv, 613) states that the variety getulus is entireljr
inoffensive to man, making no hostile demonstrations. His daughter^
when a girl of 6 or 8 years, had several individuals as pets. They
drank milk readily from a cup which she held in her hand.

Genus EUTAINIA, B. & Q.

Eutainia, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 24 ; Eutcenia, Cope, 1875, 12, 40.

Form ranging from stout to slender. Head separated from body by
an evident neck. Crown-shields 9. Loral present. Nasals divided,
wdth the nostril between. Anteorbital 1, Postorbitals 8. Anal plate-
entire. Scales keeled, arranged in 19 to 21 rows.

A genus of snakes closely allied to Natrix, but differing in the
undivided anal plate. Confined to North America, consisting of about
a dozen species, all intimately related, and some of them exceedingly
variable.

The general color consists of three light strij)es on a darker ground,
the intervals with alternating or tesselated spots. Abdomen without
square spots. (Baird.)

113

Key to the Indiana Species of Eutainia.

A. Scales iu 19 rowis.

a. Lateral stripe covering two rows of scales.

b. Lateral stripe on third and fourth rows of scales.

c. Very slender. Tail about one-third the total length.

saurita, p. 113.
CO. Stouter. Tail one-fourth or less of the total.

radix, p. 115.
bb. Lateral stripe on second and third rows of scales.

sirtcdis, p. 117.
aa. Lateral stripe covering three rows, second, third and fourth,

butlerii, p. 120.
A A. Scales in twenty-one rows (sometimes). radix, p. 113.

Eutainia saurita, (Linn.).
Ribbon Snake.

Coluber saurita, Linuseus, 1766, 64, ed. xii, i, 385 ; Leptophis sauritm,
Holbrook, 1842, 54, iii, 21, pi. 4; Eutainia saurita, Baird and Girard,
1853, 6, 24 ; E. faireyi and E. proxima, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 25 ;
Tropidonotus sauritus, Garman, 1883, 13, 23, pi. 3. fig. 2.

An elongated species, with a slender neck, and a tail that forms from
a little more to a little less than a third the total length. Crown-shields
normal. Loral elongated. Nasal distinctly divided, with the nostril
between them. Anteorbital 1, high. Upper labials 7 or 8. Lower
labials 10, fifth and sixth large. Scales distinctly keeled, and disposed
in 19 rows. Ventrals 150 to 180. Subcaudals 100 to 120.

The color above consists of a light chocolate to black ground, relieved
by three stripes of greenish white or yellow. The dorsal stripe lies on
the median row of scales and the adjacent half of the next row on each
side. The lateral stripes lie on the third and fourth rows above the
belly. The abdominal surface is greenish white, without markings or
spots of any kind.

Three varieties of this species are here recognized, saurita, faireyi and
proxima. These are still regarded by most American writers as distinct
species, but I have been unable to find any characters by which the
many connecting forms may be satisfactorily distributed. Prof Cope,
in his most recent publication (3, xiv, 646, 650), unites faireyi with
nroxima, and distinguishes these from saurita by their having 8 upper
labials instead of 7. It is doubtful if this will hold s^ood.

114

Variety saurita.

This is distiDguishecl by haviug the tail, on an average, a little more
than a third of the total length; ventral plates from 150 to 170; color
light chocolate to deep brown, with the stripes uniform yellow. The
slenderest of all the varieties. Atlantic to Mississippi Valley.

Variety faireiji.

Stouter in form. Tail rather less than a third the total length.
Ventral plates 168 to 180 ; color blackish brown, with the stripes uniform
greenish yellow. Wisconsin to Louisiana.

Variety p?urf/na.

Stoutest in form, the tail being contained in the total length about
three and a half times; color black, with the dorsal stripe brownish
yellow, the lateral greenish ; ventrals 170 to 180. Wisconsin to Louisi-
ana and Texas .'

Specimens sent to Professor Cope by Mr. A. W. Butler, and taken
probably at Brookvilie, have been pronounced Eutainia saurita. Others
of this variety have been secured at Wheatland by Mr. Robert Ridgway,
and in Brow n county by Mr, Charles Jameson. I have specimens from
Fountain county, sent by C. H. Smith, and there is record of a speci-
men in the National Museum from Boone county.

Of faireyi I found a specimen in Mr. Sampson's collection at New
Harmony. Specimens in the State Normal School collection appear to
me to belong here, and these were taken at Terre Haute and at Denver,
in Miami county. Others are in Mr. Smith's collection made in Foun-
tain county. Professor Blatchley reports both saurita and faireyi at
Terre Haute. Mr. W. O. Wallace, of Wabash, sends me a specimen
having 21 rows of scales. The lateral stripes are on the fourth and fifth
rows of scales, instead of the third and fourth, as usual. Ventrals 170 ;
subcaudals llO.

I am not aware that the variety proxima has been captured in Indiana,
although some have been reported. These different forms intergrade so
completely that to me it appears to be useless to maintain their specific
identity. It is often difficult to distinguish to which variety the speci-
men in hand belongs. As the species is traced from its eastern limit to
the south and west it becomes stouter, the ventrals increase somewhat,
and the colors deepen.

Habits. — Eutainia saurita has the reputation of being aquatic in its
habits. This, however, can not mean that they aflTect the water so
exclusively as do the species of Natrix. In fact, it leaves the water
and travels cousidei'able distances in search of food. I have taken this
species frequently in the South, and I do not remember of having ever
seen it in the water. However, it is found in the vicinity of streams,
and no doubt often enters them. It is an active animal, as is shown
by its slender and lithe form. It is wholly harmless. DeKay states
that it sometimes climbs trees. He quotes Dr. J. P. Kirtland as

115

saying that it seeks the most retired woods for its residence. Its food
consists of insects, frogs, toads, and siniihar small animals. Of its bi'eed-
ing habits not much is known. In a specimen taken in Mississippi I
find nine eggs with the development just begun. Professor F. W.
Putnam (2^, ii, 134) says that a female that he examined on July 13
contained nine eggs, each three-fourths inch long. In these he found
embryos 2.5 inches long. On July 30 another was caught which had
excluded a part of her brood, there being only four eggs left, and
these were ready to be burst by the young. These eggs were 1.25
inches long, and contained young 5.5 inches. Professor G. B. Goode
(34-, '73, 182) received the following from Herman Strecker, of Reading,
Pa. : "Some years ago I came across a garter snake (Eutainia saitrita)
with some young ones near her. Soon as she perceived me she hissed
and the young ones jumped down her throat, and she glided beneath a
stone heap. Another time I caught a snake of the same species, but, as
I thought, of immense size, which I took home and put in a cage. On
going to look at her, some short time afterward, I discovered a great
number of young ones (about thirty, if I recollect rightly), and whilst I
was still looking at the sudden increase two more crept out of the old
one's mouth, and finally, after a little while, a third one did likewise."
Within the body of a specimen of fairyei, 28 inches long, sent me from
Fountain County by Mr. C H. Smith, I find twelve eggs. Of these the
hinder four are in the left oviduct. The eggs show no evidences that
development had begun. The length of each is about .75 inch, the
short diameter about .32 inch. The form is irregular on account of
mutual pressure. In a specimen taken at Vicksburg, Miss., about July
4, I find twenty fully developed young snakes. Each is about 9 inches
long.

Eutainia radix, B. & G.
Racine Garter Snake.

Eutainia radix, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 34 ; Entcenia radix, Coues
and Yarrow, 1878, 0, iv., 277; Eutwnia radix vielanotcenia, Cope, 1888,
8, xi, 400.

A snake of moderately stout form, the tail forming from a fifth to a
fourth the total length. Head distinctly marked off" from the neck.
Upper labials seven (rarely eight), the eye over the third and fourth.
Lower labials ten, the sixth largest. Auteorbitals one, postorbitals
three. The scales are in either nineteen or twenty-one rows. They are
prominently keeled, so that the snake is distinctly rough in appearance.
The ventral plates vary from 153 to 162 ; the subcaudals from 51 to 80.

Color above light or dark olive-brown, with three stripes of yellow and

116

series of black spots. The dorsal stripe occupies the median row of
scales and the adjacent half of the next row on each side. The lateral
stripe lies on the third and fourth rows of scales on most of the body, but
posteriorly narrows and descends to lower rows. One or two series of
spots are usually to be seen below the lateral stripe, on the first and
second rows. Between the lateral stripe and the dorsal may occur two
series of black spots. They may be distinct or obscure The upper
surface of the head is dark dlive, with the usual two minute yellow dots
on the occiput. The upper labials are yellow, with an edging of black.
Lower jaw and throat yellow. Abdomen greenish or olive. On the
outer ends of the ventrals there is, on each side, a row of black spots,
and the posterior edge may be wholly edged with the same color.

Eutainia radix subspecies mehnotcBnia has recently been described by
Prof. E. D. Cope from a specimen furnished him by Mr A. W. Butler,
and taken in southeastern Indiana. In this variety there are 21 rows
of scales. The dorsal band is nearly completely bordered on the sides
with black. The space between the dorsal and the lateral stripe is
nearly covered by the two rows of distinct quadrate black spots. The
surface between the spots themselves is dark olive-brown. Below the
lateral stripe are two rows of alternating black spots, one on each row
of scales. These sometimes coincide and unite. Each of the ventrals
has on each of its outer ends a black spot, and these are sometimes so
large that they unite to form an interrupted stripe along the flank.
Between these spots the posterior edges of the plates are black. The
specimen of Eutainia radix reported by myself in 1881 as occurring in
Indiana (22, xv, 738), and included in my list (9-'^, '87, No. 44), proves
on further examination to belong to Prof. Cope's melanotcenia. It differs
in having 160 instead of 153 ventral plates, and 80 instead of 68 sub-
caudals. There is but a single row of spots below the lateral stripe, but
they are large, quadrate, and lie on both the rows of scales. It was
taken at Irvington.

Habits — Not much is recorded concerning the habits of this species.
Drs. Coues and Yarrow found it in considerable numbers in Dakota
and Montana. The were observed to staj^ principally about the borders
of streams and pools of water, whei'e they could catch tadpoles, young
frogs, and various water insects. They are themselves preyed on by
hawks. They are less active than some of the slenderer species, and
when handled make little resistance. Only the larger individuals make
any attempt to bite. The males and females were found pairing in Sep-
tember and part of October, while the greater part of the females were
found to be pregnant in July and August, producing thirty or forty
young. This indicates a period of gestation of nearly a year.

117

Eutainia sii'talis, (Linn.).
Garter Snake; Striped Snake.

This is a snake which has a very wide distribution, and of which many
"varieties are recognized. Many of these have been by various authors
regarded as distinct species,

Eutainia siHalis varies in form from slender to quite stout. The head
is distinctly marked off from the neck. The tail makes up from a fourth
to a fifth the entire length. The head is broad behind, narrowed in
front. Crown-shields 9, all well developed. Anteorbital 1. Postor-
bitals 3 or 4. Labials 7 or 8, the eye over third and fourth. Lower
labials 10. The scales are keeled, and arranged in 19 roAvs. The ven-
tral plates vary in number from 140 to 180. The subcaudals from 50 to
90 pairs. The anal plate is entire.

The ground color varies from a light olive to black. This is usually
relieved by three greenish or yellow stripes, a dorsal and two lateral,
and by series of dark spots, some above, some below, the lateral stripes.
But of the stripes and spots some or all may be missing. The belly is
greenish or slate-color, usually with a series of black dots at the outer
-ends of the ventral plates.

Variety sirtalis.

Coluber sirtalis, Linnaeus, 1758, 64, ed. x, 222 ; Entainia sirtalis,
Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 30; Tropidonotus sirtalis, Holbrook, 1842,
5i, iv, 41, pi. 11 ; Garman, 1883, 13, 21, pi. 3, fig. 3.

Dorsal stripe narrow, being encroached on by dorsal spots; lateral
stripes not conspicuous ; color above the faint lateral lines brown to
black, this containing three series of indistinct spots, each of about 70
from head to vent; color immediately below lateral lines greenish; ab-
domen with a row of black blotches on the ends of the ventral plates on
each side. All North America that is inhabitable by snakes.

Variety dorsalis.

Eutainia doi^salis, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 30 ; Eutcenia siHalis,
subsp. dorsalis, Cope, 1875, 13, 41.

All three stripes broad and conspicuous; space above lateral bands
bright olivaceous, and containing a series of rather large spots, 74 in
number, from head to vent; abdomen greenish, with a black dot on each
end of each ventral plate. Maine to Florida and Mexico.

Variety ordinata.

Coluber ordinatus, Linnseus, 1766, 6^, ed. xii, i, 379; Eutainia ordi-
omta, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 32 ; Eutcenia siHalis subsp. ordinata,
Cope, 1875, 12, 41 ; Tropidonotus ordinatus, Holbrook, 1842, 54 iv, 45,
pi. 12.

118

Stripes all iadistiuct ; space above the lateral bands olive, with three
distinct rows of square dark spots, about 85 in number, from head to
vent; abdomen like the above varieties.

Variety parietalis.

Coluber parietalis, Say, 1824, 1^, i, 186; Eutainia parietalis, Baird and
Girard, 1853, 6, 28 ; Eutcenia sirtalis subsp. parietalis, Cope, 1875, 12,
41 ; Coues and Yarrow, 1878, 9, iv, 276.

Three distinct stripes, a dorsal pure yellow ; the lateral a heavier yel-
low, tinged more or less with red ; color between the stripes deep brown
to black ; spots, if any, indistinct ; skin between the scales brick or Ver-
million red, chis tingeing many of the scales. The red is most distinct
just above the lateral stripe, but also extending down to the ventral
plates. Belly whitish green, with black spots on the ends of the ventral
plates. Length 3 feet. Indiana to California.

A specimen of E. sirtalis sent me by Mr. Chas. Beachler, of Craw-
fordsville, agrees well with the description given by Prof. Baird, and
more especially with that given by Coues and Yarrow, as cited above,
except that the red, which is so characteristic of this variety, is dis-
tinctly seen only on the anterior third of the body. Spots on ends of
ventrals rather large. Specimens are frequently taken about Irvington
which are referred to this variety. Prof. Blatchley states that he has
taken parietalis at Terre Haute. Mr. A. B. Ulrey has shown me a spec-
imen from North Manchester, Wabash county, which conforms to the
description of parietalis, except that it has twenty-one rows of scales.
The red in Indiana specimens does not extend to the posterior portion
of the body, and it is more abundant and extends further back on spec-
imens from the northern part of the State than on those taken about
Indianapolis.

Variety obscura.

Eutainia sirtalis obscura, Cope, 1875, 12, 41 ; Cope. 1888, 3, xi, 399.

This is without spots, uniform brown between the bands. It is said
(3, 11, 399) to resemble E. saurita at first sight. A specimen shown me
by Mr. A. B. Ulrey, from North Manchester, Wabash county, appears
to be referable to this variety.

Eutainia sirtalis graminea, Cope, 1888, 3, xi, 399.

This interesting variety has been described by Prof. Cope from a spec-
imen furnished him by Mr. A. W. Butler. It was taken in eastern
Indiana. It is described as of a uniform light green above, yellow,
clouded with green, below. There were no stripes nor spots on the
body, nor any markings on the head. It resembled closely the Rough
Green-snake, but it is to be distinguished from it by having 19 instead
of 17 rows of scales, and by .the entire anal plaite, as well as by other
generic characters.

Habits. — Eutainia sirtalis is probably the most familiar and best known

119

of all our snakes. It is fouud everywhere over the couutry, iiud every
country school-boy has possibly carried specimens of it in his pocket to
the terror of his girl playmates, and has almost certainly killed the
snakes bj^ the dozen. This species is not so active as some others, but
they are not usually so sluggish as some authors describe them. Hol-
brook says that it is exceedingly gentle and can be handled without fear
of injury ; indeed, he states that he has never known them attempt
to bite. DeKay, on the other hand, says that they will bite and some-
times leave troublesoine, but not dangerous, wounds. Both statements
seem to exaggerate the usual disposition of the snakes. It is certain
that they will at times strike and bite, but it must be rarely, indeed^
that they produce anything worse than a few slight scratches.

These snakes are frequently found in moist situations, either near the-
water or even swimming about in it. They can not, however, be called
aquatic. They are likely to be found in or near the water because
there they can find abundant prey. They are often seen far away from
the water in dry fields. Drs. Coues and Yarrow say of parietalis, that
it is common in the clear, cold waters of lakes and streams of Dakota-
and Montana, and was often seen swimming freely in deep water at some
distance from shore. This snake lives on frogs, toads, insects and small
mammals. All observing persons have probably seen in this snake illus-
trations of the great size of prey that a serpent can swallow. The frog
is often of a considerably greater diameter than the snake itself One
writer (22, ii, 50) relates an instance of a Garter-snake chasing and
catching a mouse. Immediately the snake enveloped the mouse in its
coils, crushed it boa-constrictor-like, and then swallowed it. Another
writer (22, '84, 88) tells of seeing the Garter-snake in a pool catching
small fishes. Shortly afterwaixl in passing the pool it was dried up, and
this snake was eating the dead fishes. On the other hand, the snake is
preyed on by hawks, owls, hogs, ducks, and turkeys. I have seen a cat
eat a Garter-snake.

These snakes, like others of the genus, are ovoviviparous. The num-
ber of young produced at a time is considerable. Prof. F. W. Putnam
(22, ii, 134) informs us that on July 1, in a female 35 inches long, he
found 42 nearly developed young, each of which was 5.5 inches long.
Dr. J. Schneck, of Mt. Carmel, 111., says (22, xvi, 1008) that from a
female 35 inches long he took 78 young from 3 to 7 inches in length.
They were pressed from the vent. The first twenty were free, the others
confined within the egg-coverings. In a female 33 inches long, taken by
Dr. Alex. Jameson near Indianapolis, about August 1, I find 39 young
snakes not yet ready to be born. The food-yolk is not all used up. The
egg-tooth is present. A female from Paris, III., contained 35 young,
each 7 inches long. The food-yolk was all gone and the egg-tooth shed.
It appears that the young are born late in the summer or early in the

120

fall. The sexes are said to unite iu September or iu October, but it
seems probable that this also occurs early in the spring. This is one of
the snakes which has the reputation of swallowing the young when they
are in peril Col. Nicholas Pike, who is an accurate observer, assured
Dr. Goode (5^, 1873, 182) that he had seen the Garter-snake afford its
young family temporary protection in its throat, from which they were
soon noticed to emerge.

On the approach of cold weather these snakes seek some opening in
the earth and then become dormant In some instances they appear to
•collect in considerable numbers where they pass their winter slumber.
"We thus occasionally hear of bundles of snakes being plowed up. E. L.
Ellicott relates (22, xiv, 206) having seen very early in the spring, in
Maryland, a bundle of Garter-snakes, in which some hundreds of them
could be counted. It is altogether probable that such assemblages are
determined partly by the sexual impulses. The Garter -snake leaves its
place of hibernation apparently as soon as the first warm days come, al-
though they may relapse again into the dormant condition. At Irving-
ton I have taken them as early as the 7th of JMarch.

Like all other snakes this species at intervals sheds the outer coat of
the skin. How often this occurs I do not know. Dr. Benj. Sharp (i,
1890, 149) observed the process of exuviation in the Garter-snake. Two
specimens were kept in an aquarium. When observed one had just
crawled out of the water and then shrugged and shook itself Finding
a narrow place it pressed itself in so that the skin parted along the jaws.
This was pushed back behind the head. Then the snake crawled through
the opening, escaping from the skin and leaving it turned inside out.
The operation required less than a minute. One of the skins was with-
out rent or loss of a scale. This occurred on April 13. Some specimens
that I kept for awhile shed- the skin about June 1. In case the snake
can not have access to water the shedding of the skin is a more prolonged
operation.

Eutainia butlerii, (Cope).

Eutcenia butlerii, Cope, 1888, 3, xi, 399.

This is described as having the head little distinct, muzzle conical, a
little protuberant ; eye not large. There are 144 ventral plates ; sub-
caudals 62. The ground color is olive-brown above, and there are the
usual three stripes. The median has the usual width. The lateral
stripes are unusually wide, covering the second, third and fourth rows
of scales. They are all bordered by black. At the upper border of the
lateral band there is some indication of spots. No markings on the
head and labials. The abdomen is olive, with an elongated black spot
at each end of each ventral plate.

The length of the only specimen known is not given in the desci-iption.
Locality, Richmond, Ind.

121

Family ELAPIDiE.

Maxillary provided with an erect, immovable poison fang, which is
grooved in front. Smaller teeth behind the fang or not. Head fui'-
nished with plates. Loral usually absent. Tail short and conical.

Of this family there is but a single genus known to inhabit America,
namely, the

Genus ELAPS, Schneider.

Flaps, Schneider, 1801, 4I, 289 ; Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 21 ; Gar-
man, 1883, .io', 104.

Body elongated and cyliudrical. Head little, if any, wider than the
neck ; its upper surface with the nine plates usually found in the
Cohibridce No loral. Nasals two, with the nostril between, or mostly
in the anterior. Anteorbital single, occasionally fused with the post-
frontal. Eye small, the pupil round. Scales without keel, smooth and
glossy ; arranged in thirteen to fifteen row'S. Anal plate divided, rarely
entire. Subcaudals divided.

A genus with numerous species. Its members range from the Argen-
tine Eepublic to the United States, where there are two or three species.
One of these, the following, is found from South Carolina to Texas and
Mexico. Recently it has been discovered in Southeastern Indiana.

Elaps fulvius, (Linn.).

, Coral Sna]:e.

Coluber fulvius, Lianseus, 1766, G^., 381 ; Elaps fulvkis, Cuvier, 1817,
224, ii, 84; Holbrook, 1812, 54., iii, 49, pi. 10; Baird and Girard,
1853, 6, 21 ; True, 1833, 23, xvii, 26.

Body elongated, slender and cyliudrical. Head little wider than the
neck, flat above. Loral absent. Anteorbital 1 ; postorbitals 2. Upper
labials 7, the eye over the third and fourth. Lower labials 7, the fourth
large. Scales smooth, arranged in fifteen transverse rows. Ventral
plates 202 to 236. Subcaudals 25 to 44 pairs.

The colors are black, bright red, and yellow. These are arranged in
bands which encircle the body. The head, from the hinder end of the
vertical plate to the snout and to the tip of the lower jaw, is black. The
remainder of the head is encircled by a band of bright yellow. Behind
this there follow, alternately, bauds of black and red, about 13 to 20 of
each, to the vent. Each red band is separated at each end from the con-
tiguous black band by a narrow ring of bright yellow. The tail is alter-
nately black and yellow, there being about four rings of each. In the
red bauds surrounding the body is usually found a number of scales of
a brown color. There may also be one or more small blotches of black
in the middle of the ventral portion of the red bands.

122

The Coral-snake is doubtless the most highly colored and beautiful
snake that is to be found in the United States. It is moderately common
in extreme Southern States, but, to our surprise, it has recently been
taken in southeastern Indiana. Prof. A. J. Bigney, of Moore's Hill
College, has shown me a specimen that was captured about a year ago
two miles from the village of Milan, in Ripley county. The specimen
is a typical Elaps fulvius, 22.5 inches long. It has 212 ventral plates
and 45 subcaudals. It appears wholly unlikely that this specimen was
accidentally introduced where it was found. That the species is really
an inhabitant of that region is rendered stiil more probable from the fact
that another specimen was taken near there, in Hamilton county, Ohio.
It is preserved in the collection of the Cincinnati Society of Natural His-
tory (A. W. Butler in 94 for 1892). This occurrence of the Coral-snake
in that portion of Indiana indicates that it will be f:-und all along the
southern border of the State, and thence down the Mississippi River to
the Gulf.

Habits. — The Coral-snake ap})ears to be somewhat sluggish in its dis-
position. It is poisonous, but it is said to bite only when provoked. In
the American Naturalist for 1883, page 26, Prof. True has given us evi-
dence of the ability of the snake to inflict dangerous bites. Several cases
are reported, some of which proved fatal. However, on account of the
smallness of the serpent's mouth, the shortness of its poison-fangs, and
their backward position, it seems probable that dangerous wounds could
be inflicted only on some such organ as the fingers or the toes. I do not
know anything about the breeding habits of this genus. The Coral-snake
appears to have the habit of capturing and eating other serpents. In
volume xxii of the Encyclopedia Briiannica is an illustration of one which
is swallowing another snake almost as large as itself. In the alimentary
canal of a specimen 21 inches long, from Florida, I have found a Storeria
13.5 inches long.

Persons who are living in the southern portion of the State ought to be
on the watch for this strikingly colored snake, and all specimens of it
should be sent where they wull be preserved for study.

Famil:y II. CROTALID^.

Form usually thick and short. Head triangular, broad behind, flat,
and distinctly separated from the body by a small neck. Maxillary bone
much shortened, moying freely on the lachrymal and supporting a single
functional, enlarged, tubular tooth, or poison fang, which is capable of
erection and of concealment under a fold of the lining of the mouth.
A deep pit between the nostril and the eye, Poison glands at the sides
of the head behind. Pupil oblong, perpendicular. Scales keeled. Anal
plates entire. Tail short. All venomous.

123

This family contains both Old and New AVorld genera, but most of
them belong to North and South America, They are of great interest
and have been much studied on account of their many peculiar struct-
ures, and because of the deadly effects of their venom. Those who are
interested in learning more about the anatomy of these dreadful serpents
may consult such works as Huxley's Anatomy of Vertebrates, the various
encyclopedias, and volumes XII and XXV^I of the Smithsonian Contri-
butions to Knowledge. An interesting popular summary of the results
of the studies of Drs. Mitchell and Reichert may be found in the Cen-
tury Magazine for August, 1889 (vol. XVI, 503).

Key to the U. S. Genera of Crotalldce.

A. Tail not provided with a rattle. Agkistrodon, p. 123.

AA. Tail provided with a rattle.

a. Upper surface of head with the usual 9 crown-shields.

Sistrurus, p. 125.

aa. Vertical and occipital plates replaced by small scales like

those of the back. Crotalus, p. 128.

Genus AGKISTRODON, Beauv.

Agkistrodon, Pal. de Beauvais, 1799, 36, iv, 381; Baird and Girard,,
1853, 6, 17 ; Ancidrodon, of Various authors.

Head flat, triangular, with 9 crown-shields. Loral present or absent.
Scales in 23 to 25 rows, all keeled. Anal plate entire. Subcaudals not
divided except some of the posterior. No rattle.

Loral present. Scales in 23 rows. contortrix, p. 123.

No loral. Scales in 25 rows. piscivorus. Appendix.

Agkistrodon contortrix, (Linn.).
Copperhead.

Boa contortrix, Linnaeus, 1766, 64-, ed. xii, 373 ; Trigonocephahis con-
toi'trix, Holbrook, 1842, 54-, iii. 39, pi. 8 ; Agkistrodon conti»irix, Baird
and Girard, 1853, 6, 17; Ancistrodon contortrix, Garman, 1883, 13, 120,
pi. 8, %. 1.

Head large, flat, triangular, and with the sides in front of the eyes
peipeudicular. Neck slender. Tail short, about one-eighth the total
length, ending in a curved horn. Vertical plate as broad as long, pen-
tagonal. Occipitals about the size of the supercillaries, showing a ten-
dency to break up into smaller scales. Both pairs of frontals well
developed, extending out to the edge of the upper surface of the head.
A small plate sometimes lying between the vertical and the postfrontals.
Two anteorbitals, the lower smaller and bounding the pit above. A loral
present. Nasal divided, with the nostril present. Rostral broad and

124

high. Upper labials 7 or 8, excluded from the orbit by a number of
suborbitals, the second with a groove leading into the pit. Inferior
labials 9-10. Scales in 23 rows, strongly keeled. Ventral plates about
150. Subcaudals 42 to 52, all entire except the last 8 to 18.

Spotted, with black, brown, red, reddish yellow and yellowish white.
On the sides and reaching up to the middle of the back are blotches 6
scales long of hazel brown, margined with dull red. These blotches are
narrow below, but run into the colors of the belly. Between these spots
are larger ones of smoky brown, sometimes with a good deal of chocolate,
and with dark margins and lighter centers. These widen below, but be-
come narrower toward the middle line. On the middle of the back they
either alternate with those of the other side or become confluent with
them, thus forming bands across the body. The end of the tail is black
above. Lower surface yellowish, more or less clouded with brown and
with large black spots at the ends of the veutrals. These cover the ends
of two ventrals and are separatod by the ends of three. Head above
reddish or copper-colored, this color extending down on the sides to the
level of the corners of the mouth and lower borders of the eyes. Below
this the color is cream yellow. Lower jaw paler, but with reddish brown
streak along the lower edge of the inferior labials. Length probably
sometimes three feet. Terreatial.

Habitat. Massachusetts to Florida, west to Kansas and Texas. In
Indiana this venomous serpent, once abundant in most localities of the
southern half of the State, is now happily becoming rare; in most local-
ities it is probably entirely exterminated. Where, however, the country
is not thickly settled, and where there are abundant forests and rocks, it
may even yet be found in considerable numbers. About New Harmony the
collectors have frequently found it. It has been taken in Monroe County
(Bollman). Mr. C. H. Smith reports its occasional appearance in Fount-
ain county, and Mr. Hughes tells me that one was found, the first in
many years, in 1889 in Franklin county. In the northern portion of
the State it has probably always been scarcer, but still present.

The habits of this snake are tolerably well known. Unlike its equally
disreputable relative of the South, it is terrestrial in its inclinations.
However, its desire for water to drink and the better opportunity to
obtain prey will often lead it to the neighborhood of ponds and streams.
In its usual movements it is a sluggish animal, depending more for safety
on the terror that it inspires and on its fangs than on flight. It appears
to prefer to lurk about dai'k and shady situations. Its food consists of
small birds, mammals, and frogs. It is itself devoured at times by other
snakes, as the black-racer and the water-moccasin (22, iii, 158; ^^, '77,
399). In securing its prey it depends on the deadly efiects of its poison.
Mr. S. Garman states that they usually eat the prey as soon as it is dead,

125

;iu(l even before it ceases to struggle. Sometimes lively mice would elude
two or three strokes, and this would seem to throw the snake into an
ecstacy of excitement. They would not eat fishes.

These snakes are greatly dreaded on account of their biting without
giving any warning. However, some warning they do sometimes attempt
to furnish. TLis is done by rattling on objects by quick vibrations of the
tail. Many species of snakes are now known to do this. Whether their
bright, dappled colors are intended to act as a warning to large animals
not to tread on them, or are to protect the snakes from the observation of
their prey as they lie among dead forest trees, is hard to decide. Mr.
Garman says that they do not yield to good treatment. Some that he
observed, though they were frequently and gently handled, remained
vicious and ready to bite. These snakes are very poisonous, but the
researches of Drs. Mitchell and Reichert show that their venom is less
virulent than that of the rattlesnakes, but more so than the water-
moccasin. While the introduction of the poison into the system produces
important changes in the appearance of the skin, due to changes in the
blood and blood-vessels, and though after recovery some of these appear-
ances might recur, yet the stories that the limb becomes spotted just
like the snake that did the biting, that it annually feels the bite and
regains such colors, are wholly absurd.

As regards their breeding habits, the copperhead, so far as known,
produces living young. The number of young produced each year is
variously given. According to Professor J. A. Allen, five out of seven
females caught in the latter part of July, in Massachusetts, contained
slightly developed embryos, while of six females killed in September the
oviducts of each contained from seven to nine young six inches long.
The sexes, sometimes at least, pair in August. Other writers, principally,
however, through the newspapers, put the number of young as high as
60 to 80. This is undoubtedly an error, which probably arises from con-
founding the copperhead with other snakes, especially with the hog-
nosed snake, Heterodon jolatirhinos. This is another of the species
reported to Dr. Goode (J^, '73, 184) as furnishiDg to its young in times
of danger a retreat down its throat.

Genus SISfRURUS, Garman.

Crotaloj)horu8, Gray, 1825, 114, 205; Sistrurus, Garman, 1883, 13, 176.
Form short and stout. Tail short. Head with nine crown-shields, as
in the Colubriclce. Loral present. Tail furnished with a rattle.

126

Sistrurus catenatus, (Raf.)
Massasauga ; Prairie Rattlesnake.

Crotalinus catenates, Rafinesque, 1818, 80, iv, 41; Crotahis tergeminm,
Say, 1823, 14, i, 499; Crotalophonts iergeminus, Holbrook, 1842, 54, iii,
29, pi. 5; Caudisona tergemina, Wagler, 1830, 75, 176; Sistrurus caten-
ntiis, Garman, 1883, 13, 176, pi. 9, fig. 2; Caudisona tergemina, Cope,
1875, 12, 34; Crotaloiphorus catenatus, Cope, 1892, 3, xiv, 684.

Body stout. Head short. Tail constituting from an eighth to one-
eleventh the entire length. Head covered above with the nine crown-
shields usually found in the non-poisonous snakes. Anteorbitals 2, the
upper horizontally elongated, joining the prefrontal and excluding there-
from the small triangular loral. Lower anteorbital narrow and long,
forming a part of the boundary of the pit. Supraorbitals large and over-
banging the eyes. Upper labials 11 to 14, excluded from the boundary
of the orbit. Lower labials 12, small. Scales in 25, rarely 23, rows, all
strongly keeled, except those of the outer row. Ventral plates 136 to
153. Subcaudals 21 to 29, a few of the most posterior divided.

The ground color varies from light ashy, often with a reddish tinge,
through ashy brown to deep brown and even black ; below from yellow-
ish, sprinkled with dusky, to slate blue, mingled with yellowish white
and black. There are above, seven series of dark spots, which are vari-
able in intensity of color from chestnut-brown to black. When the
ground color is very dark the spots may disappear, and we see then a uni-
formly black snake. The outer borders of the spots are usually darker
than the centers, and are surrounded with a narrow line of paler. The
spots of the successive rows alternate. Those of the median, or dorsal,
series are from 35 to 48 in number, and descend on each side to about
the eighth row of scales. They are broader than long, and in the median
line are notched in front and behind. Occasionally they may be wholly
divided. Just below this series is another of much smaller spots. Fur-
ther out is a series of spots which extend from the second to the sixth
row of scales. The lowest series on each side lies on the outer ends of
the ventral plates and the three outer rows of scales. Each side of the
head with a broad, dark band from the eye back on the neck. This is
bounded below by a streak of yellowish white from the pit to the corner
of the mouth and on the neck. Upper labials mostly dusky. Upper
surface of the head with two dark, longitudinal streaks and three paler
ones. Lower jaw variegated with yellowish white and dusky. A pale
transverse band from eye to eye, bordered with darker. The length may
reach three feet in fully grown specimens.

Ohio and Michigan to Utah. Said by Garman to extend to Missis-
sippi, on what authority I do not know. In Indiana it is abundant in

127

some localities, but I have not been able to confirm its occurrence south
of Indianapolis. Wabash county (D. C. Ridglej). I have seen speci-
mens from Laporte, Hendricks, Hamilton and Montgomery counties.
They appear to be abundant in the swampy grounds in the neighborhood
of Lake Maxiukuckee, in Marshall county. The black specimens are
freque\:tly found in Indiana. They were once described as a distinct
species, but their dark coloration is probably nothing more than an indi-
vidual variation. We have a very similar case in the differently colored
forms of Heterodon jilatirhinos, Coluber obsoletus, and Natrix sipedon.

Habits. — This species is, on an average, considerably smaller than the
Banded Rattlesnake, Crotalus Jiorridus. It is, on that account, less to be
feared than that serpent, since the fangs would naturally penetrate less
deeply, and the amount of poison that is injected into the wound would be
less. Indeed, Dr. Kirtland, of Ohio, is quoted as saying that its bite is
scarcely worse than the sting of a hornet. But having had a good deal of
experience with, and knowledge of, these snakes, I think that they are not
to be tampered with. Animals that have been bitten by them, such as dogs
and cows, suffer much, and have troublesome swellings. The rattle is less
powerful than that of its larger relative, but may be heard at a sufficient
distance. The snakes appear to prefer low, wet grounds as their habita-
tion, but they are not aquatic. Yet they may often be found far away
from water in dry fields. On the prairies of Illinois, before the country
became thickly populated, these reptiles were extremely abundant, and
the killing of two or three dozen of them in a season was not an unusual
thing for any farmer's boy. Now, in that same region, not one is seen in
years. This disappearance of these snakes has been supposed to be due
to the destruction wrought among them by hogs. Yet, on those prairies,
in those days, there were no roaming hogs. The extinction of the snakes
may be due to the breaking up of the soil, the draining of the ponds, and
the clearing away of the rank vegetation, which furnishes them protec-
tion. At the present day it is only in swamps and marshes that they are
found.

It appears that these snakes shed their skins at least twice a year ; and
since, further, Garman has shown that the segments of the rattle repre-
sent a retained portion of the sloughed epidermal covering, it seems quite
probable that two or more joints of the rattle are produced each year.
In any case, the age can not be determined by the number of segments,
since the terminal ones are continually being worn off and lost.

The young of this species are brought into the world alive. They are
about six in number at each brood, and when born are about six inches
long. They appear about the first of September, This species has been
included by Goode in his list of those whose females allow the young a
place of safety in the stomach. The writer has published an account of

128

the observations made on two feraales of this sisake by a man of credi-
bility who bad captured them and kept them until they bad produced
young (22, xxi, 216), According to these observations, the young passed
freely into and out of the mother's mouth until they were a month old.
After this time the mother was very attentive to the young, as I saw
m3^gelf.

Genus CROTALUS, Linn.

Crotalus, Linnseus, 1758, 64., ed, x, i, 214; Baird and Girard, 1853,
6, 1 ; Garman, 1883, IS, 110.

Form stout. Head triangular. Crown-shields fewer than nine, the
vertical and occipitals replaced by numerous small scales. A pit in front
of nostril. Anal and most of the subcaudals entire. Tail with a rattle.

Crotalus horridus, Lino.

Banded Rattlesnake.

Crotalus horridus, Linnseus, 1758, 64-, ed. x, i, 214; Garman, 1883, 13,.
115, pi. 9, fig. 1 ; Crotalus durissus, Holbrook, 1842, 54-, iii, 9, pi. 1 ;
Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 1.

Body elongated, tapering toward head and tail. The neck slender.
Tail short, from one-eighteenth to one-eighth the total. Head broad,
triangular, flattened above, concave in the interorbital region. Snout
blunt. Back portion of head forward to the interorbital region covered
with small keeled or tuberculated scales. Scales of the cheeks larger
and smooth. Superciliaries large and overhanging the eyes. Anteor-
bitals 2, the lower slender and overarching the pit. Lorals 2. Nasals
2, the anterior largest. Rostral higher than broad. Prefrontals 2, post-
frontals 4, in a transverse row, tlie inner pair sometimes replaced by
small scales. Upper labials 12 to 16, sei)arated from the orbit by three
or four rows of scales. Lower labials 13 to 18. Eye small. Scales
keeled, except those of the outer rokv ; number of rows 23 or 25, Ven-
tral plates 165 .to 175, Subcaudals 19 to 25. Kattle of the adult par-
allelogrammic, with a median groove.

Ground color above cream yellow to yellowish brown, and even black.
There are three series of dark spots, a dorsal and a lateral on each side.
The dorsal blotches are large, occupying in breadth about twelve rows of
scales and about four in length. These are nearly black around the bor-
ders and paler in the centers. The lateral series has the spots smaller.
Posteriorly the three series coalesce, so as to form zig-zag, dark-edged,
transverse bands. All the spots and bands are bordered with sulphur
yellow. Tail of the adults usually black. The color below is yellow,
with some mottliugs and sprinklings of black. Upper lip sulphur yel-
low ; lower lip paler.

129

The length of this species may become as much as six feet, possibly
more.

Distributed from Massachusetts to Kausas, south to North Carolina
and Texas.

It is to be found, in all probability, in nearly all the counties of Indi-
ana, but it is in most places quite rare. I can name only two localities
where it has been taken recently and record of it preserved. These are
New Harmony (Sampson's coll.) and Monroe county (Ind. Univ. coll.).

Habits. — No American snake has probably been so carefully studied
as has this and its immediate relatives. This is due to the dangerous
nature of this animal and to the interesting structures shown in its rattle
and its arrangements for producing and instilling its poison. The results
of some of these studies may be learned by consulting the works referred
to on page 123.

In its free state this species appears to inhabit wooded districts, although
it may probably sometimes be found on prairies. It especially delights in
taking up its abode where there are rocks and debris among which it can
find at short notice a safe retreat. Its movements of locomotion are
rather slow. When surprised it will often seek to escape, without inflict-
ing injury on its enemy. When, however, it is pressed, or there is no
time for retreat, it delivers a blow with such rapidity that the motion can
hardly be followed. The mouth is held open, the fangs directed forward,
and if possible they are buried in the victim. At the same time the
poison gland is squeezed by the proper muscles, so that the poison is
injected deep into the wound. If the amount of poison is large it may be
quickly fatal to even large animals. Small animals, as birds and mice,
almost immediately succumb to the deadly influence. It is usual for the
Rattlesnake to sound its rattle when it has been disturbed by some animal
which it has reason to fear. The use of this alarm has been much dis-
cussed. Some have regarded it as an imitation of grasshoppers in order
to allure birds within its reach. Others have thought it a sexual call.
Still others think it a providential arrangement to prevent injury to
innocent animals and man. It is doubtless of use to warn off" animals that
might do injury to the snake itself, or at least compel it to use up its store
of poison and its fangs, all of which it needs to procure its food. Dr. A.
R. Wallace has suggested in his recently published " Darwinism" that the
creature has acquired the structure and habit in order to warn off" buzzards
and other snake-eaters that might pounce on it as it lies on naked rocks.
It is a warning note, saying, "Look out for yourself! Your life if you
injure me."

Rattlesnakes do not appear to try to injure one another by biting.

Indeed, Dr. Mitchell states that the poison does not affect the snakes

hemselves. He says that he has over and over injected under the skin

of "a rattlesnake its own venom or that of a moccasin or of another

130

rattlesnake, but he had in no case seen a death. He often kept from 10
to 35 rattlesnakes together without any of them harming the others. If
a large snake were suddenly dropped on the others they would show no
resentment, whereas if any other animal were thus dropped on them it
would immediately get a blow. In captivity they are extremely sluggish,
not moving, and refusing for long periods to accept food. Usually, after
about a year without food, they will kill and eat animals. Dr. Mitchell
fed his numerous specimens by putting a long funnel down their throats
and pushing the food into their stomachs. They were very foud of water,
and would drink large quantities of it and lie in it for hours.

They shed their skins at different times. If they did not have water
the skin would come off in patches. He says nothing about the relation
of the shedding of the skin and the acquisition of new segments of the
rattle. It has been noted by observers that a variable number of segments
of the rattle is acquired each year, although the popular idea is that one
is the number. As high as four have been observed to be added in a
single year. The terminal segments, too, are constantly being worn off,
so that the number of segments present is no indication of the age of the
snake.

On each side of the upper jaw is to be found a single fang, which is
solidly attached to the maxillary. These are probably shed at intervals,
and besides are liable to be torn out in use. Alongside of the functional
fang there may be found a number of reserve fangs, as high as seven
sometimes, the oldest of which moves into the place of the lost fang and
soon becomes ankylosed to the bone. Holbrook states that Mr. Peale, of
the Philadelphia Museum, kept a living female rattlesnake for fourteen
years. She had eleven rattles when she came into his possession. Several
were lost annually, and new ones formed. When she died there were
still eleven. During this period the snake had grown four inches in
length.

This snake, like all the Crotalidce, brings forth its young alive. The
number appears to be about nine. I found this number of eggs in a
female 37 inches long, brought from Pennsylvania. The eggs were 1.5
inches long by an inch in short diameter. Of these there were four in the
left oviduct. There were evidences that development had begun.

Where these snakes are numerous they are inclined to gather in con-
siderable numbers in caverns in rocks and similar places, in order to
undergo their, winter sleep. Such places form the rattlesnake dens about
which we hear occasionally.

131

Order LACERTILIA.

Lizards.

Animals varyiug in form from stout and almost toad-like to long,
slender, and snake-like. Limbs usually present, but absent in a few forms,
as in our Glass-snake. Vertebrae few to many. Bones of the brain-case
not so firmly united as in the snakes; those of upper and lower jaws less
loosely connected than in the serpents, as a result of which the mouth is
not distensible. Mandibles united at symphysis by suture. Teeth pres-
ent. Skin usually provided with granular or overlapping scales. Vent

transverse slit.

A large and widely distributed order, divided by Dr. Boulenger into
wenty-one families. Of these four are represented by species in Indiana.

Key to the Families of Indiana Lacterilia.

A. Whole tongue or its posterior larger portion covered with close-set
papillae, like the pile of velvet.
a. Tongue thick, little free, not or but feebly notched in front,
wholly covered with villiform papillae. Limbs present. No
bony plates underlying the scales. Iguanidce, p. 131,

aa. Tongue posteriorly thick and with villiform papillae ; anteriorly
thin, free, deeply notched, and covered with scale-like
papilke. Scales underlaid with bony plates.

Anguidce, p. 134.
AA. Tongue covered with scale-like papillae.

a. Tongue free in front, ending in two long points. No bony
plates underlying the scales. Teiidce, p. 136.

aa. Tongue rather long, free in front and sides ; slightly notched in
front. Bony plates underlying the scales.

Scincidce, p. 138.

Family III. IGUANID^.

Lizards varying in form from short and thick to elongated and slender.
All with functional limbs. Dentition pleurodont. Tongue thick, fixed
to the floor of the mouth or slightly free in front. The tip slightly or not
at all notched. Plates of the upper surface of the head usually small, but
well developed in our genus Sceloporus. No bony plates beneath the
epidermal scales.

A large family, containing, according to Boulenger, 50 genera and
about 300 species, with few exceptions inhabiting the New World. Only
one species known in Indiana.

132

Genus SCELOPORUS, Wieg.

Sceloporus, Wiegmann, 1828, 77, 369; Boulenger, 1885, 29, ii, 216.

Body depressed ; tail long. Head with the plates of the upper surface
well developed ; the most posterior and median one (occipital) largest.
No bony spines on head. Anterior teeth simple, the lateral tricuspid.
Tympanum distinct, sunken. No gular folds. A series of pores (fenjoral)
on the under side of the thigh. Scales overlapping and about equal in
size. Contains about 25 species inhabiting North and Central America.

Sceloporus undulatus, (Bosc).
Alligator Lizard ; Pine Tree Lizard.

Agama undulata, Bosc, 1803, 69, iii, 384 ; Tropidolepis undidatus, Hol-
brook, 1842, 54-, ii, 73, pi. 9 ; Sceloporus undulatus, Fitzinger, 1843,
82, 75 ; Boulenger, 1885, 29, ii, 227.

Head broad and flat, tapering to the short and rounded snout. Neck
moderate, without gular fold. Tail considerably longer than the head
and body, and slender. Head with the plates of the upper surface
rather large. A series of these over each eye. Back of the head with
three plates, the median (occipital) larger than the lateral (parietal), and
with a central translucent spot. Anterior border of the ear denticulated
with three or more scales.

Hinder limb pressed to the side reaching about to the ear. Distance
from the base of the fifth toe to the tip of the fourth greater than from
the tip of the snout to the ear. Under side of the thigh with a row
of from 13 to 17 pores. Dorsal scales conspicuously keeled, the keel
running out into a sharp point. Ventral scales sitialler and smooth.
Scales of the sides forming rows that run upward and backward. There
are from 38 to 50 scales around the body and about 35 from the occiput
to the base of the tail. The tail is covered Avith large scales, with the
keel running obliquel}^ and ending in a point.

The color above is olive or brownish, sometimes almost black. Across
the back are undulating lines of dark brown or black. On each side of
the back there is a row of whitish spots. The tail is cross-lined with
black. Sides mottled with black, and with some whitish spots. The
male has a green or dark blue spot on each side of the throat, sometimes
almost black The color is prolonged on to the arm. Each side of the
abdomen is green or steel blue. The front of the thigh is dark blue or
black. Middle line of the belly yellowish, with mottliugs of black. The
female has the throat blue, the abdomen yellowish, Avith black markings..
Dr. C. C. Abbott says that the colors are not indicative of sex.

The length of this species becomes about 6 inches.

133

Distribution from New Jersey to Oregon and south to Texas. In In-
diana it has been taken at Brookville (Dr. Hayniond) ; Bloomington
(BoUnian) ; Brown county (Nor. Sch. Coli.). It is said to be rather
coramon about Brookville, but rare in the neigKborhood of Bloomington.
Specimens were also seen by the author in Crawford county. One was
brought from near Wyandotte Cave liy W. P. Hay. Clark and Jefferson
counties (Butler). I have seen a specimen said by Mr. Fletcher Noe,
of Indianapolis, to have been taken by him near the city. It will prob-
ably be found to occur throughout the southern half of the State, at least
in localities where there are timber and sand, and an abundance of rocks.
In the South they are most abundant in the pine forests. On this ac-
count they have received the name of " Pine-tree Lizard."

These little animals are extremely active and they are able to run
with great swiftness. Holbrook says that they are often found under
the bark of decaying trees. It chooses also old fences as its basking
places. It is given to climbing trees in search of insects and for safety
from pursuers. DeKay states that when irritated in confinment they
elevate their spinous scales in such a manner as to present a very for-
midable appearance. They are perfectly harmless, although they are
often regarded as venomous. DeKay further says that they are able to
alter their colors, the back assuming an azure tint.

Dr. C. C. Abbott, of New Jersey, has studied to some extent the
habits of this interesting animal. They were not disposed to seek safety
from pursuers in flight, but rather by concealment. They would dodge
behind the trunk of a tree, and might be caught in one hand while
trying to avoid the other. On being seized they do not fight and bite,
but become almost instantly tame. Where they were abundant the
children made pets of them and were never bitten. The lizards are ex-
tremely susceptible to changes of temperature. They are most active
at about 100° F. At lower temperatures they become sluggish ; at
temperatures much higher they seek to escape the direct rays of the
sun, and if the heat is still increased they are thrown into a state of
.lethargy. Their color appears to be highly protective, since they closely
resemble the rough gray bark on which they so often rest. Abbott came
to the conclusion that their vision is not acute, while their hearing is
sharp. In endeavoring to catch flies they often missed their aim, al-
though the insects were within easy reach. Their food consists of flies,
ants, small spiders and the like. Some of Dr. Abbott's experiments
tend to show that the so-called "pineal eye" is yet sensitive to the
light.

The eggs are said to be laid in the sand, probably in little groups.
They are deposited about June 1, and are hatched about July 10. The
eggs are long and narrow, are covered with a tough coat, and are with-
out any calcareous material. The egg weighs about 20 grains. They

134

are abandoned to their fate, but when the young are hatched they are
treated with the utmost gentleness by all the adults.

Family IV. ANGUID^.

Lizards having an elongated, slender body, sometimies extremely so.
Limbs present or absent ; when present they may be well developed or
rudimentary. Dentition various. Tongue with the posterior portion
thick and covered with villiform papillse, the anterior portion thin, flat,
notched in front, and covered with overlapping scale-like papillae. Plates
of the upper surface of the head large ; an unpaired occipital plate always
present. Epidermal scales of the body underlaid with bony plates.

A family containing 7 genera and about 45 species. Living for the
most part in the Americas, but represented likewise in Europe and Asia.
We have only the following genus :

Genus OPHISAURUS, Daud.

Ophisaurus, Daudin, 1803, 69, vii, 346 ; Boulenger, 1885, 39, ii, 281 ;
Ophiosaurus, Wagler, 1830, 75, 150.

Elongated, snake-like lizards, with very rudimentary limbs or usually
with none at all, the tail forming considerably more than one-half the
total length. Body with a fold on each side, ending at the vent. Scales
placed in straight rows longitudinally and transversely. Teeth on
pterygoid, sometimes also on palatines and vomer. Teeth pointed or
rounded.

This genus is represented by five species. We have only one of these.

Ophisaurus ventralis, (Linn.).

Glass-snake ; Joint-snake.

Anguis ventralis, Linnseus, 1766, 64, ed. xii, 391; Ophisaurus ventralis,.
Daudin, 1803, 69, vii, 352; Holbrook, 1842, 54, in, 139, pi. 20; Boulen-
ger, 1885, 29, ii, 281 ; Opheosaurns ventralis, Cope, 1875, 12, 46.

Long, slender and snake-like. Head small, narrow, not separated from
the body by a distinct neck. Snout long and tapering to the rounded
tip. Upper surface of the head with a large vertical plate. Behind this
is the interparietal, with a minute whitish spot, the " pineal eye." Behind
this plate is the small occipital. Ear opening in a line with the mouth ;
larger than the nostril. Palatine teeth present. The pterygoid teeth in
three to five longitudinal series. Teeth all conical.

On the dorsal surface, between the lateral folds, are 14 to 16 longitudinal
rows of scales ; between the folds across the lower surface are 10 rows ;
between the head and the vent are about 120 transverse rows. All the

135

scales are smooth, except those of the median dorsal row, which are
obtusely keeled. The tail is about twice as long as the head and body.

The color of the upper surface and the sides is olive, with several
longitudinal narrow lines of brown. In life the lighter colors are green
and yellow. There may be a dorsal dark band with a broad olive band
on each side, followed on the sides by three dark lines above and two
below the lateral fold ; or the broad bands of olive may contain two
additional narrow lines, in which case the whole upper surface and the
sides are narrowly streaked with brown and yellowish or green. A
specimen is occasionally found which has the upper surface black, without
any lines, and the sides with rows of white ocellated spots. Again, the
lines may be wholly replaced by rows of spots. The abdomen is yellow,
sometimes orange, occasionally slate color. Head brownish or olive, with
mottlings of darker. Lower jaw yellow.

The average length is about 18 inches, but specimens may occur as
much as 3 feet.

The distribution is from Southern Virginia west to Wisconsin and south
to Mexico.

In Indiana this reptile has not shown itself to be widely distributed or
abundant. Professor John Collett tells me that he has seen it in Warren
county. I have a specimen that was secured at Wolcott, in White
county, by Mr. Charles S. Beachler. I find mention (7, 30, 122) of one
being taken in Starke county. Mr. Robert Ridgway informs me that it
was formerly a very common species in the Lower Wabash Valley,
especially about Mt. Carmel. Since the reptile is most abundant in the
Southern States, this finding of it in the most northern portion of Indiana
indicates that we are likely to discover that it is a resident of the whole
State.

On account of the serpent-like form of this lizard, it is almost univer-
sally regarded as a snake. It may be distinguished from the members of
the order of serpents by the little distensible mouth, the firm union of
the sides of the lower jaws at their symphysis, by the possession of eye-
lids, and by the rows of small scales covering the belly. On the lower
surface of snakes there is a series of plates that pass across from one side
to the other.

Wherever this lizard is found it has attracted a great amount of atten-
tion, especially on account of the facility with which the whole animal
appears to break up into short pieces. Along with this knowledge of its
fragility, which has given it the name of " Glass-snake," there goes the
tradition that these pieces have the power of reuniting themselves, so
that the reptile is thoroughly reconstructed and as sound as ever. Con-
cerning these matters there has been a great amount of discussion in the
newspapers and the scientific journals. As regards the liability of the
animal to break up into pieces of different lengths on being struck or

136

:tough]y handled, there is no doubt that the popular notion is correct.
Two-thirds or more of the Glass-snake is tail. It is a well known fact that
many lizards on being seized drop their {ails in order to free themselves or
to deceive the pursuer. The tail thus lost may be reproduced. When
occasion appears to demand the sacrifice, the Glass-saake sunders its tail
into a number of wriggling pieces, and while the astonished observer
stands viewing the wreck, the head and body hastens to a place of safety.
In order that all these pieces might unite again to form a sound lizard,
they would have to be fitted together in the proper order, and with the
ends turned in the right direction ; the half dozen or more conical muscu-
lar masses which project from the ends of the pieces would have to be in-
terdigitated accurately ; the nerves and blood, vessels would need to come
into juxtaposition ; and then all the torn surfaces unite by " immediate
union" so quickly and eflectively that the animal can betake itself to its
business. Hard as the possibility of accepting all this is for the natural-
ist, such is the popular notion, and a writer in the Scientific American,
September 3, 1887, says that he seen the thing done. Before s&ientific
men will believe the assertion it will have to be well corroborated.

The specimen of the Glass-snake which was taken in Starke county,
Ind. , was sent to the editor of the Popular Science Monthly (vol. xxx,
p. 122,) for examination. The account of it is mixed up with the name
of the Chain-snake, but the reference to the position of the vent shows
plainly that it was a Glass-snake, as the editor also says it was.

This animal appears to select for its abode dry, rather than damp, situ-
ations. Holbrook states that it often is found in sweet-potato hills in
time of harvest. It is entirely harmless, and cau be easily tamed. It
probably will not bite at all, and could do no injury if it did ; but people
who know little about reptiles think that all snakes and lizards, as well
as all salamanders, are poisonous. It is said that the Glass-snake ap-
pears very early in the spring, even before the true snakes, and remains
late in the autumn. About its breeding habits I have been able to learn
nothing definite. It probably lays its eggs in the grouod. Drs. Cones
and Yarrow say that several individuals of this lizard were eaten by a
specimen of Opkiholus getulus sayi that was kept in the same cage.

Family V. TEIID^.

Lizards with form varying from moderately stout to vermiform.
Limbs usually present and well developed ; sometimes rudimentary, and
in one genus the hinder limbs are absent. Dentition various. Tongue
thin, flat, ending in two long smooth points, and having its upper sur-
face covered w'ith overlapping scale-like papillse. Plates of the head
large or small. No bony plates underlying the epidermal scales.

A family comprising 3i> genera and over 100 species ; all living in the
.New World.

,137

Genus CNEMIDOPIIORUS, Witeler.

Cnemidophorus, Wagler, 1880, 75, 154; Boulenger, 1885, S9, ii, 360.

Body terete, head pyraiuidal, tail loug and slender. Limbs well de-
veloped, with five digits each. Head with large shields. The anterior
nasals meeting in the middle line. Eyelids present. Tympanum ex-
posed, sunken below the surface. Lateral teeth bicuspid or tricuspid.
Scales of t]\e upper surface of the body small ; those of the abdomen
large, and arranged in 8 to 12 longitudinal rows. A double fold of skin
on front of neck. Femoral pores present.

About 16 species are known.

Cnemidophorus sex-lineatus, (Linn.).
Six-lined Lizard.

Lacerta sexlineata, Linnaeus, 1766. 64, ^^^- ^'i? h 364; Ameiva sexlineafa,
Holbrook, 1842, 54-, ii, 100, pi. '15; Cnemidophorus sex-lineatus, Boulenger
1885, 29, ii, 364.

Long and slender. Head a four-sided pyramid. A large vertical
plate, on each side of which, over the eyes, are four supraoculars. Nos-
tril in the anterior nasal. Ear about the size of the eye. ±\- few ptery-
goid teeth present. Gular folds two, the posterior with large scales in
front. Upper surface of the fore limbs with large scales. Front of
thigh and under surface of the lower leg with enlarged scales. Scales of
the upper surface of the body small ; those of the abdomen large,
squarish ; and arranged in 8 longitudinal, and about 33 transverse rows.
Tail with large, squarish, keeled scales, the keel running somewhat ob-
liquely. Vent with three enlarged scales in front. Appressed hind limb
reaching to the ear. Tail nearly twice the length of the head and body ;
sometimes more.

The color of the back is olive or brownish, in life green. The sides
are black, with three narrow stripes of yellow. A greenish stripe on the
back of the thigh, prolonged on the sides of the tail.

Toial length about 10 inches. Distributed from Maryland to Kansas,
Southern California, and Mexico.

This species is included in the fauna of Indiana on the testimony of
Mr. Robert Ridgway of the National Museum. He writes me that while
he was collecting snakes at Monteur's Pond, near Wheatland, Knox
county, he climbed a buttonbush to snare a big water-snake. While
maneuvering to get his noose-rod into position he saw a specimen of
what he is positive was this species (with the appearance of which he was
previously very familiar) basking in the sun on a branch of the same bush.
Before he could secure the lizard, it jumped off into the water and swam
away. There is nothing, whatever, improbable about the occurrence of

138

this lizard in Southern Indiana, since I have taken it in Western Illinois,,
at a point as far north as Logansport, Ind. Since the above was written
Mr. A. W. Butler has informed me that he found this species in a small
collection of reptiles sent him from Bloomington, Ind. I have not seen
the specimen.

Habits — Probably the most remarkable quality possessed by this ani-
mal is its ability to run with great swiftness. Dr. Coues in speaking of
it says that the eye can scarcely follow it when it is running at its best on
level ground. Dr. Yarrow also states that it is very difficult to capture,
since it runs with the greatest celerity over the sand and rocks. In order
to capture it Dr. Coues used fine shot in a horse-pistol. It may be taken
in a butterfly net. It lives in high and dry situations, among bushes,
brush heaps, logs, and the like. The naturalists named above do not
regard it as at all arboreal in its habits ; still it may occasionally resort
to trees. Its food is principally insects. Dr. Coues states that it would
come into the tents and catch flies in a quiet, furtive way, but on the
least alarm it would dart out of sight. At Ft. Macon, N. C, (1, '76,
47,) it was seen early in April, and could be found until the cold
weather in October. Notwithstanding its agility, it is one of the ani-
mals oftenest found in the stomachs of the larger snakes. Holbrook
says that he has often seen the male and the female toward evening
hunting in company for insects. I know nothing about its breeding
habits.

Family VI. SCINCID^.

Lizards from short and stout to long and worm-like. Limbs present
or absent. Dentition pleurodont ; form of teeth various. Tongue thin,
flat, moderately long, free, and slightly notched in front ; covered with
overlapping scale-like papillse. Head with symmetrical plates. Epi-
dermal scales supported by bony plates. Ovovlviparous.

Cosmopolitan. Contains 25 genera and about 400 species. We have
2 genera, each with a single species.

Palate cleft by a single median slit. Lygosoma, p. 138.

Palate with two slits, one from each nostril. Eumeces, p. 139.

Genus LYGOSOMA, Gray.

Lygosoma, Gray, 1828, 110, iii, 228 ; Boulenger, 1887, 29, iii, 209 ;
Oligosoma, Girard, 1852, 5, 196.

Body short and stout or elongated. Limbs Avell developed, rudiment-
ary or absent. Outer nostril in the nasal plate. Eyelids well devel-
oped. Tympanum distinct or hidden. Maxillary teeth conical or
obtuse. Pterygoid teeth minute or absent. Palatine bones in contact,
so as to leave a single median slit from the internal nostrils to opposite
the middle of the eyes.

A widely distributed genus containing more than 150 species.

139

Lygosoma laterale, (Say).
Brown-backed Lizard.

Sc'mcus laterale, Say, 1823, I4, ii, 32-4; Lygosoma laterale, Holbrook,.
1842, J4, ii, 13-5, pi. 19 ; Boulenger, 1887, 29, iii, 263 ; Oligosoma laterale.
Cope, 1875, 12, 39.

A small lizard with a short head, elongated body, a long terete tail, and
feebly developed limbs. Head flat above, the perpendicular sides taper-
ing to the snout. Lower eyelid with a transparent disk. Ear opening
the size of the opening of the eye, the tympanic disk deeply sunken. No
gular folds. Limbs lacking much of meeting along the side, the ap-
pressed hind leg reaching hardly a third of the distance to the axilla.
Body covered with smooth scales, not arranged in straight rows across the
body. About thirty scales in oblique row around the middle of the
body.

The color above is olive or brownish, with scattered brown spots, the
tail often blue. Side with a brown, white margined stripe running from
the eye on to the tail. Below this may be a similar but narrower stripe
passing between the fore and the hind limb. Abdomen greenish white.

The total length is about 5 inches, sometimes as great as 6 or 8 inches.
The tail may make up as much as two-thirds of this. The species ranges
from Florida and Texas to North Carolina, Indiana and Kansas. Indiana
localities from which this species has been reported are few, but it prob-
ably inhabits much of the southern portion of the State. Mr. Robert
Ridgway has taken it at Wheatland, and has seen it in the " watermelon
sands " district of Gibson county.

Habits. — In some portions of the Southern States this species of lizard
is abundant. Holbrook says that they might, in his day, be seen by
thousands in the thick forests of oak and hickory of Carolina and Georgia.
They emerge from their retreats, after sunset, in search of small insects
and worms, on which they live ; yet they appear and disappear so rapidly
that they might at first be mistaken for crickets or other insects. It is
difficult to secure them alive. They conceal themselves rapidly under
roots or beneath leaves. Baird and Girard (37, 229), say that it is always
met with running on the surface of the ground in forests, among dead
leaves, never ascending either trees or shrubs like many other lizards. It
is said to breed in Georgia in March.

Genus EUMECES, Wiegmann.

Eumeces, Wiegmann, 1835, 83, ii, 288; Boulenger, 1887, 29, iii, 365.
Lizards of moderate proportions. Limbs well developed. Outer nos-
tril in the nasal plate. Eyelids with scales. Tympanic disk distinct, deeply

140

sunken. Maxillary teeth -with conical or rounded crowns. Pterygoid
teeth present. Palatine bones not meeting in the median line ; palate
therefore with two clefts, one from each nostril.

Of this genus 31 species are recognized. N. A., Cent. A., Asia,
Africa.

Eumeces faseiatus, (Linn.).
Red-headed Lizard ; Blue-tailed Skink.

Lacerta fasciata, Linnseup, 1758, 6*^, ed. x, i, 209; ed. xii, 369; L.
quinquelineata, Linnseus, 1766, 6'^, ed. xii, 366; Plestiodon erythrocephalus,
Holbrook, 1842, 54-, ii, 117, pi. 16; Scincus qidnquelineatus, Holbrook,
1842, 54, ii, 121, pi. 17; Scineus faseiatus, Holbrook, 1842, 54, ii, 127,
pi. 18 ; Eumeces faseiatus, Cope, 1875, 12, 45 ; Eumeces quinquelineatus,
BouJenger, 1887, 29, iii, 369.

Head short, broad behind, wedged-shaped in front. Snout short, ob-
tuse. Nasal plate pierced by the nostril. Behind this is the postnasal,
which joins the first labial. Behind the postnasal comes the loral, which
joins the plate in the median line, the fronto-nasal. Vertical large, in
contact with three anterior supraoculars. On the back of the head, in
the median line, is the interparietal, in which a faint whitish spot indi-
cates the position of the pineal eye. Ear opening smaller than the eye,
the tympanic disk deeply sunken. No distinct neck nor gular fold.
AVhen the limbs are pressed to the sides they overlap. Tail longer than
the head and body. Length of hind limb in the distance from the snout
to the vent nearly or quite two and a half times. Scales of the back,
sides and abdomen about equal in size, smooth, 28 or 32 longitudinal rows
around the middle of the body. A row of enlarged scales on the under
side of the tail.

Young and middle sized individuals are nearly black above, with five
yellow lines running from the head to the middle of the tail. The me-
dian line forks on the head. The extremity of the tail is often bright
blue. The abdomen is bluish white. As the animal grows older the
stripes become obscure, the general color fades to olive or brownish, and
the head becomes bright red. These older specimens were long regarded
as belonging to a distinct species. Even Holbrook, who lived where the
animal is abundant, described it under three nam^, as cited above.

The total length may be as much as 13 inches, and even more.

The species is distributed from Massachusetts to Wyoming and south.
In Indiana it appears to be pretty generally and abundantly distributed
in the southern half of the State. Since it has also been found in Mich-
igan, there seems to be no reason why it should not also occur in Northern
Indiana. The following are localities from which I have seen specimens :

141

Brook ville (Hughes) ; New Harmony (Sampson's coll.) ; Monroe county
(Bollraan and Nor. Sch. coll.); Torre Haute (Blatcbley) ; Marion and
Crawford counties (Hay) ; Wabash county (A. B. Ulrey). A specimen
from Bloomington is 10 inches long.

Habits. — This is a very active species of lizard, and is found in forest
regions, living about old logs and stumps, and under bark. It often as-
cends trees, and it would appear that the older individuals spend the
greater part of their time there. Holbrook says of these older ones,
called by him P. erytkrocephalus : "They choose their residence in deep
forests, and arc commonly found about hollow trees, often at a height of
thirty or forty feet from the ground ; sometimes in a last year's nest of
the woodpecker, out of which he thrusts his bright red head iu a threat-
ening manner to those who would disturb his home. He never makes his
habifat on or near the ground, and, in fact, seldom descends from his ele-
vation unless in search of food or water. Though shy and timid, he is
very fierce when taken, and bites severely." The bite is not poisonous.
Of the less mature individuals, Holbrook says that they live mostly on
the ground, in holes of stumps, under the bark of decaying trees, and
similar places. They seldom ascend trees unless they are pursued. Their
food consists of insects. Smith (IS, G51), states that this animal lays
nine oval eggs at a time.

Dr. Abbott (7, 34, 170), thinks that the Blue- tailed Skink has a greater
degree of intelligence than the Pine-tree Lizard, Sceloporus undulatus.
The latter, on being captured, immediately submits and becomes tame.
The Skink, on the other hand, is fierce, and defends its?lf with vigor.
One that he captured and put into a case immediately buried itself and
scarcely made an appearance for a week. After it came from its retreat
it was suspicious of every object and sound. When it went into its re-
treat it never returned by the same burrow, but would stick its head out
at another hole and carefully study the outlook. At length it gained
sufficient confidence to eat, and in about four months it became compara-
tively tame. Its disposition is, in many respects, the opposite of that of
the Pine-tree Lizard.

Dr. J. Schneck (22, 14, 55), mentions some specimens of this species
which had the tail forked, as the result probably of a loss and reproduc-
tion of that appendage. When these lizirds are pursued and caught by
the tail, this is very liable to be dropped. The tail is afterward repro-
duced, and it seems that occasionally two tails take the place of the lost
one. The same observer speaks of the great variations in the color of
this species due to differences in age, and of the aged ones as "ruby-
headed and copper-bellied specimens, 20 inches in length."

142

Order CHELONIA.

Tortoises and Turtles.

Reptiles having the trunk relatively short and broad, with the upper and
the lower walls forming two disks, which are united on the sides between
the fore and hind limbs. The disks strengthened by bony deposits, which
usually, but not always, involve the endo-skeleton. The bony dorsal
shield (carapace) usually formed of the expanded and suturally united
ribs and vertebral spinous processes. The lower shield (plastron) com-
posed of the clavicles and a few dermal bones. No true sternum. Trunk
rigid ; only the neck and tail flexible. Jaws without teeth and covered
with horny sheaths. Eyes with lids and a nictitating membrane. Tym-
panic membrane external, sometimes hidden by the skin. Tongue thick
and fleshy. Limbs four; developed for walking, except in the marine
turtles, in which they are formed for rapid swimming. Reproduction by
means of eggs, spherical or elliptical in shape and protected by a calcar-
eous shell.

Upper and lower disks without horny epidermal plates. A soft skin.

Trionychoidea, p. 142.

Shell covered with large, symmetrical horny epidermal plates.

Testudinata.

Suborder TRIONYCHOIDEA.

The dorsal vertebrae and the expanded ribs involved in the carapace.
Plastron composed of 9 bones, which enclose a fontanelle. The dorsal
disk rarely strengthened by marginal bones, its border therefore flexible.
The horny sheaths of the jaws hidden by fleshy lips. Fourth digit with
4 or more phalanges.

A single family living in the rivers of North America, Asia and Africa.

Family VII. TRIONYCHID^.

Body broad and much depressed ; the margins of the carapace thin
and leathery, in rare cases having marginal bones. No epidermic scutes.
Snout much produced, leathery, with the nostrils at the tip. Ear hidden.
Only the three inner digits furnished with claws. Head and neck com-
pletely retractile.

Of this family 6 genera are recognized, only one of which lives in
America.

14o

Genus TRIONYX, Geoff.

Trionyx, Geoffroy, 1809, 85, 84; Gray, 1855, 25, 64; Bouleuger, 1889,
■S4, 242.

Plastron little developed behiud, leaving the hinder limbs and tail
<!ompletely exposed ; with not more than 5 callosities. No marginal
bones in the border of the carapace. Jaws strong.

A geous embracing about 15 species, residents in the rivers of North
America, Asia and Africa.

A. Nostril circular, having no papilla projecting into it from the
septum. (^Amyda, Agassiz.) 1. muticus, p. 143.

A A. Nostril crescent-shaped, having a papilla projecting into it from
the septum. (Aspidonedes, Agassiz.)
a. Under side of feet white, not mottled with brown.

T. agassizii, p. 144.
aa. Under side of feet mottled with white and brown.

T. spiniferus, p. 146.

Trionyx muticus, LeS.
Spineless Soft-Shelled Turtle

Trionyx muticm, Le8ueur, 1827, 86, 263, pL 7; Holbrook, 1842, 54,
ii, 19. pi. 2 ; Gray, 1855, 25, i, 69 ; Boulenger, 1889, 84., 260.

Amyda mutica, Agassiz, 1857, 4, i, 399 ; Aspidonedes muticus, Baur,
1888, 22, 1122.

Head long, low, and pointed in front, descending rapidly in front of
the eyes. Skull, from the eyes forward, drawn out, the margins of the
upper and the lower jaw being concave outwardly. The horny upper
jaw with a cutting edge, which is deepest forward and bluntly toothed
posteriorly. Lower jaw also with a sharp edge, and both jaws furnished
with an alveolar surface, the leathery snout ending obliquely, so that
the nostrils are somewhat under the tip. The nostrils are circular, there
being no papilla projecting into them from the septum.

Body flat and oval. No trace of keel along the middle of the back ;
often a depression instead. No spines along the anterior border of the
carapace, nor any tubercles anywhere. Callosities well developed on the
plastron of the adults, especially of the males.

The color above is brownish, olive, or bluish-gray. In the young there
are some blotches of dark brown. On the margins of the carapace, lat-
erally and posteriorly, is a band of yellow, bordered internally with
black. These bands are likely to disappear later in life. Head with a
white stripe, margined with black, from the eye over the ear and then
descending on the neck. Head and neck below the level of the edge of
the upper lip white, without any mottling. Under surface of the feet
white or bluish-gray ; never mottled as in T. spijiiferus.

]44

The length of the carapace of fully grown adults may be a foot, some-
times probably more. The females have tails that scarcely project be-
yond the edge of the carapace, while that of the male is much longer.
Both Agassiz and Eaur have noted the fact that the males are much
smaller than the females. Baur has also made the observation that the
males are not so numerous as the females (22, 22, 1122). It is not at all
improbable that such is the case ; yet it may be only apparently so, due
to fewer of the males being captured, on account of their smaller size, or
on account of the saving only of the larger, finer specimens.

The species inhabits North America from the St. Lawrence River to
Florida and west to the plains. I have note of its occurrence in the
rivers of Indiana at five points : Delphi (Agassiz) ; Madison (Yarrow) ;
Mt. Carmel, 111. (R. Ridgway); and Terre Haute (Blatehley). LeSueur
described the species from specimens taken at New Harmony.

Habits. — This specie?, like all the soft shelled turtles, is wholly
aquatic, since they leave the water only on rare occasions. They delight
to remain about the roots of trees which have fallen into the water or in
drifts of timber. Here they can watch for prey and not be observed by
any supposed enemy. Away from such means of concealment they are
accustomed to bury themselves completely in the sand, leaving only their
heads exposed. (Since their heads do not differ much in color from the
sand it is difiicult for one to recognize them, even when the eye is directed
to them. When air is required it is obtained by stretching out the neck
until the pointed snout reaches the surface. The head is then again
withdrawn. Like T. spiniforus, this species no doubt enjoys a true
aquatic rei^piration. They subsist probably on insects, fishes, water snails,
and similar small animals. Agassiz found the larvee of neuropterous in-
sects in their stomachs. Max. Von Wied (103, xxii, 53) says that
LeSueur found in their stomachs worms, snails, fruits, and even hard
nuts. If there are potatoes growing near the water the turtles find their
way to them and devour the -stems, of which they are very fond.

The eggs are spherical in form, about seven-eights of an inch in diam-
eter, and have a thick, but brittle, calcareous shell. They are deposited
in the sand on the shores of the rivers where the adults live. The young
are flatter and more nearly circular than the adults. This species, like
the other species of Trionyx, is regarded as a great delicacy.

Trionyx agassizii, (Baur).
Agassiz' Soft-Shelled Turtle.

Trionyx ferox, in part, Boulenger, 1889, 84, 259; Platypeltis ferox,
Agassiz, 1857, 4, i, 400, and ii, pi. vi, fig. 3 (young), pi. vii, fig. 2^
(egg); Platypeltis agassizii, Baur, 1888, 22, xxii, 1121.

145

Head vrith the fore part not drawn out, the margins of the jaws not
concave outwardly. Snout with the nostrils at the tip ; the latter crescent
shaped, there being a papilla projecting into it from the septum. Body
with a low. obtuse keel along the middle line. Spines present along the
anterior border of the carapace, these lai-gest in the males. Upper sur-
face of the carapace often rough with minute tubercles. Callosities of
the middle and hinder part of the plastron well developed.

Color of the upper surface olive, with blotches or spots of black. A
light streak, margined with black, starts at the tip of the proboscis,
divides just in front of the eyes, and sends a branch through each eye to
the side of the neck. The younger individuals have a yellow border
around the lateral and posterior edges of the carapace, inside of which are
two or three lines of black. The spots on the carapace of the young are
solid, but later in life they may become ocellated. The lower surfaces
are white. The bottoms of the feet are said by Agassiz to be always free
from raottlings of black. In a specimen which came from Mississippi,
however, the under surfaces of these are moderately mottled with black.
Agassiz states that the largest individual of this species of which he had
any knowledge was 18.5 inches long from the front to the hinder end of
the carapace. They are usually much smaller. The tail of the male pro-
jects beyond the edge of the carapace ; that of the female does not.

This species closely resembles T. spiniferus. It is to be distinguished
by the solid spots and the two or three black lines around the carapace
(when not too large), the light line of the head dividing behind the base
of the proboscis, and the uniformly colored lower surfaces of the feet.

This species belongs to the Southern States from South Carolina to
Texas. A single specimen has been forwarded to the National Museum
from Madison, Ind. It ought to be sought for all along the Ohio River,

Whether or not this species is more vicious than its relatives can hardly
be said. But all the American species are ready to snap and bite whenever
they are teased, and their biting is not to be held in contempt. The head
and long neck can be thrust out with great rapidity, and the sharp edged
jaws are like scissors. Holbrook says that it will sometimes leap up and
give a loud hiss. He further states that it is very voracious, feeding on
fish and such reptiles as it can secure, and is so greedy that it takes the
hook readily when baited with any substance whatever. Yet he had
ne\er known them to take food in captivity, even after several months.
They swim with great rapidity, and often conceal themselves in the mud,
buried two or three inches deep, leaving only a small breathing hole for
the long neck and small head. This it occasionally thrusts out, but usu-
ally keeps it concealed so that a passer-by might think the hole the resi-
dence of some large insect. They are ol'ten seen basking in the sun on
rocks and apparently asleep.
10

146

In the South they lay their eggs in May. These are about 60 in num-
ber, have a thick, smooth, brittle shell, and are larger than those of T.
muticus, being a little less than an inch in diameter. They are hidden in
the sand along the shores of streams.

Dr. Baur considers the form found in the Mississippi Valley as an
entirely distinct species from the Te&tudoferox of Schneider. Should he
be correct in this judgment, as he probably is, the species above described
must be known as Trionyx (Platypeltis) agassizii.

Trionyx spiniferus, LeS.
Sjyiny Soft- Shelled Turtle.

Trionyx spiniferus, LeSueur, 1827, 86, 258, pi. vi; Trionyx spinifer,
Boulenger, 1889, 84-, 259; Aspidonedes spinifer, Agassiz, 1857, 4., i, 403,
and ii, pi. vi, fig. 1 (young), pi. vii, fig. 23 (egg).

Kesembling much T. agassizii. Skull tapering gradually to the snout.
Proboscis with the nostrils at the tip ; these crescentic in shape, a papilla
projecting into each from the septum. A low obtuse keel along the middle
of the back. A series of spines on the front edge of the carapace, largest in
the females. Whole upper surface of carapace often covered with minute
asperities, also more prominent in the females. Tail of the male pro-
jecting considerably beyond the carapace. Callosities well developed in
the middle and hinder parts of the plastron. General color above olive
or light brown. In the young there are numerous ocellated spots, or
rings, of black all over the carapace. These may be retained until the
size has become considerable, but they finally become irregular blotches.
In the young and half grown there is a yellow border around the sides
and posterior edge of the carapace, and just within the yellow border is a
single line of black. Head olive, with a light line, margined above and
below with black, starting at the tip of the proboscis, forking at its base,
and sending a branch through each eye and down on the neck. The
plastron is white. Under surface of the feet much mottled with white
and black.

About the size of T. agassizii. Agassiz states that the largest of which
be had knowledge had a carapace 14 inches long.

This species is to be distinguished from T. agassizii by the mottled lower
surfaces of the feet, the line of the head, forking at the base of the proboscis,
and, in case the specimen is not too old, the ocellated spots of the cara-
pace, and the single dark line around the edge of the carapace.

Habitat from Vermont to Montana and south to the Gulf. More
abundant in the Northern States. In Indiana it is the most common
species of soft-shelled turtle, and is so generally distributed throughout
the State that it is not necessary to mention localities.

147

Habits. — The habits of this turtle are much like those of 2. agassizii.
It lives ia similar localities, captures the same kinds of food, and deposits
its eggs iu the saud, just as agassizii does. Que was found by myself ou the
14th of March buried iu the sand where the water was so deep that she
could only with difficulty reach the surface with her proboscis. The head,
colored just like the sand, was drawn entirely under as soon as she saw
that she was observed. It was with a good deal of exertion that slie was
dislodged. She was kept until the 13th of May, during which time she
could not be induced to eat anything. On being put into a ditch she
immediately buried herself in the mud, and when hidden she gave her
body some sidewise movements so that the mud settled over her as
though nothing had disturbed it. Here she remained a day and two
nights. Prof. Blatchley (94, '91, 34), states that he has seen them moving
freely about in the water as late as December 11, and as early as March
19. When hibernating they burrow in the mud at the bottoms of ponds
and streams.

This specimen will bite severely, as several observers have had oppor-
tunity to learn. DeKay mentions the fact that one bit a dog and took
out a mouthful of hair. These turtles can run rapidly on the land, and
when in the water they swim with great swiftness, as any one knows who
has tried to catch them. Profs. S. P. and S. H. Gage have demonstrated
that both this species and T. muticiis enjoy a true aquatic respiration.
They say that these animals often remain voluntarily under the water for
from two to ten hours consecutively. While under the water there are
about 16 movements of the hyoid apparatus each minute, and by means
of these the mouth and pharynx are filled with water and again emptied.
The mucous membrane of the pharynx is closely beset with filamentous
processes which have the appearance of the villi of the intestines, and are
abundantly supplied with blood. Analysis of the water in which a turtle
was kept some hours proved that it was deprived of its oxygen and filled
with carbonic acid.

The number of eggs laid by this species is probably about the same as
for T. agassizii. The eggs are spherical, have a thick; brittle calcareous
shell, and under this a very tough membrane. The eggs are a little
larger than those of T. agassizii, an inch in diameter. LeSueur (86, xv,
263) says that at New Harmony the females lay their eggs in April and
May in the sand along the river bank. He has found in them 50 or 60
eggs, about 20 of which were ready to be laid. The others were proba-
bly the eggs of the next season. The young appear in August. This
turtle is highly prized as an article of food.

148

Suborder TESTUDINATA.

Carapace usually very complete, formed by the expanded spinous pro-
cesses of the vcrtebrse, the expanded ribs, and a series of dermal marginal
bones. Plastron consisting of 8 to 11 bones; commonly united by suture
with the carapace. Both carapace and plastron, with one exception, cov-
ered with large, symmetrically arranged epidermal plates. Jaws covered
with horny sheaths ; not hidden by fleshy lips. Fourth digit never with
more than 3 phalanges.

Key to the Families of Testudinata.

Plastron narrow, cross-shaped; bridge long and narrow ; marginals 23^
not including the nuchal ; tail long. Chelydridce, p. 148.

Plastron of small to moderate size ; bridge short, but wider ; margi-
nals 28 ; tail short. Kinosternidce, p. 150.

Plastron filling the openings of carapace, or nearly so ; marginal plates
25 ; tail short to moderate. Testvdinidce, p. 155.

Family VIII. CHELYDRID^.

Body broad and depressed ; the shell highest in front, serrated along
its posterior border. Plastron formed of 9 bones ; small and cross-
shaped ; the bridge narrow. Abdominal scutes separated from those of
plastron by a series of inframarginals. Head large, jaws strong and
hooked. Tail long, with one or more rows of compressed, horny tuber-
cles above. Eggs spherical.

Genera two, both of which are represented in Indiana.

Shell without additional plates between the marginals and costals.

Chelydra, p. 148.
Shell with 3 or 4 extra plates between the marginals and costals.

Macrocemys, p. 151.

Genus CHELYDRA, Schweigg.

(jhelydra,Scl&yf eigger, 1814, 88, 23; Agassiz, 1857, 4-, Ij 416; Boulen-
ger, 1889, 8i, 20.

Carapace with three tuberculated keels, which disappear more or less
with advanced age. No supernumerary scutes intervening between the
marginals and the costals, just above the bridge. Plastron small, with
five pairs of scutes, the abdominals apparently displaced and covering the
bridge. Head large, jaws hooked. Head with the skin marked oft" into
somewhat symmetrical plates. Tail with two rows of large scales beneath.

149

Chelydra serpentina, (Linn.).
Snapper; Snapping Turtle.

Testudo serpentina, Linnseus, 1758, 6^, ed. x, 199 ; Chelydra serpentina,
Schweigger, 1814, 88, 24; Agassiz, 1857, 4., i, 417, and ii, pi. iv, figs.
13-16, pi. vii, figs. 24-26 ; Boulenger, 1889, 84, 20, vviih figs. Ghelo-
nura serpentina, Holbrook, 1842, 54, i, 139, pi. 23.

Carapace broad and rather depressed, highest in front aud notched
behind. A median and two lateral, tuberculated keels, disappearing la.te
in life. Marginal plates, exclusive of nuchal, 23. V<;rtebral scutes
wider than long, tuberculated behind. Costal scutes tuberculated near
the upper posterior angle. Plastron small, leaving the limbs exposed;
covered with five pairs of scutes ; the bridge very narrow. Two or three
inframarginals at the outer end of the bridge.

Head large and flattened above, with rather conspicuous bony ridges ;
tapering, but not descending toward the snout. Eyes directed upward
and outward. Feet broad and webbed to tlie nails. Fingers five, all
with nails. Toes five, the outer one without a nail. The outer border of
all the limbs with a sharp fold of skin which greatly increases the surface
of the limb, as aid in swimming. Tail long and pointed, equaling the
length of the plastron. Tail furnished above with a median row of large
horny tubercles, supported by a bony core Each side of the tail with
smaller tubercles. Under side of tail with two rows of large scales.

Skin of neck, under jaw, body, limbs aud tail covered with wrinkles
and large and small warts. Fore-arm and hands and feet with large,
overlapping, sharp-edged scales. Color of the carapace chestnut brown to
black. Plastron and soft skin whitish or yellow. Head and upper neck
brown. Attains a total length, it is said, of four and a half feet, the
shell two feet, usually much smaller. The weight may reach from 20
to 30 pounds.

This species has a remarkably wide distribution. It occurs from Nova
Scotia to Ecuador, in South America. Westward it probably extends to
the Rocky Mountains. It is found, no doubt, in every stream and pond
in the State of Indiana.

Habits. — This turtle spends the greater portion of its life in, or closely
about, streams and lakes and ponds. Although found living in clear rivers,
it appears to prefer muddy ponds. It is often seen far away from any
water, walking along with awkward and halting gait. Its mode of loco-
motion has been compared with that of the alligator. When seen on the
land it may be seeking some spot in which to deposit its eggs, or seeking
for food, or perhaps crossing from one stream to another. In the water
they do not seem to swim, but they may often be seen floating along just

150

below the"' surface, with the snout and eyes only exposed. When dis-
turbed, they immediately go to the bottom, and conceal themselves there.
When traveling about they are often seen with a great amount of mud on
their backs as though they had been burrowing in the earth. The Snap-
ping-turtle is strong and courageous. When attacked they neither attempt
to retreat nor retire passively into their shells, as do most turtles. The
jaws are opened, the head and long neck are suddenly thrust out, and at
the same moment the animal leaps forward toward its tormentor. If the
aim has been correct, the jaws close on the enemy and the hold is dog-
gedly retained. It is a curious notion held by many people that, when
it has once secured a hold, it will not let loose until it has thundered. It
will sometimes permit itself to be carried around by a stick which it has
seized.

The Snapping-turtle is wholly carnivorous and extremely voracious.
Their food consists of frogs, fishes, the smaller and younger water fowl,
and crayfishes. They do not hesitate to eat any animal substance that pre-
sents itself. They have been accused of capturing young ducks. A large
specimen that I dissected had in its large intestine the feathers and par-
tially digested bones of a full grown robin. The wing and tail feathers
filled up the intestines. Its excrement contained the remains of a cray-
fish. I have been told that they will steal the sportsman's string of fish,
and use the forefoot in tearing off what they can not get into the mouth.

The eggs are laid during the month of June, and hatch in the autumn.
They number from 30 to 70, and are deposited in holes excavated along
the banks of streams. Agassiz says that the hole is excavated at first
directly downward and then laterally, so that the eggs are deposited on
one side of the mouth of the excavation. They are all deposited in one
hole. After the eggs are laid the female covers them up, smooths the
sand over them, and leaves them to their fate. The eggs are spherical,
about an inch in diameter, and provided with a calcareous shell. The
shell is not brittle, but somewhat less flexible than that of most tortoises.
Occasionally an elliptical egg is found. Agassiz is authority for the state-
ment that the young will snap before they have escaped naturally from
the egg.

The flesh of the Snapping-turtle is often used for food, especially that
of the younger individuals. When they grow old their flesh is likely to
have a musky and disagreeable smell. Mr. True states that these turtles
are regularly seen every spring in the markets of Washington ready for
cooking. Storer wrote that in Massachusetts many persons saved the
oil of this animal and used it to heal bruises and sprains. As a therapeu-
tical agent it is worthy to stand alongside of goose oil, skunk oil, and rattle-
snake oi).

151

Genus MACROCLEMYS, Gray,

Macroclemyg, Gray, 1855, 25, 48; Macrochelys, Gray, 1855, ^5, sup.,
64 ; Gijpochelys, Agassiz, 1857, 4, h 413 ; Macrodemmys, Boulenger, 1889,
84, 23.

Carapace with three prominent keels, which persist throughout life. A
series of three or four supernumerary marginal scales on each side, be-
tween the normal marginals and the costal scutes. Plastron small, cross-
like, and with five pairs of scutes. Bridge narrow. Head very large,
covered with smooth, symmetrical plates. Orbits looking outward and
forward. Jaws very sti'ong and hooked. Tail with three series of tuber-
cles above ; the lower surface with small scales.

Macroclemys temminokii, (Troost).
Alligator Snapping Turtle.

Chelomira temminckii, Troost, 1842, 54, ii, 47, pi. 24; Macroclemys tern,'
minckii, Gray, 1855, 25, 49; Macrodemmys temminckii, Boulenger, 1889,
84, 25, with figures; Macrochelys lacertina. Cope, 1872, 1, 23; GypochelySf
Agassiz, 1857, 4, U 414, and ii, pi. v, figs. 23-27.

Carapace furnished with three prominent keels which do not vanish
with age. Each median scute rises posteriorly into a knob, which is larg-
est on the hindermost vertebral scute. The lateral keel is located on the
upper ends of the costal scutes. The keel rises on the hinder border of
each scute into a knob, and the knobs on the hinder scutes are the
highest. Posterior border of the carapace serrated. Between the lower
ends of the anterior three costal scutes and the marginals occur three or
four supramarginals. The plastron resembles that of Chdydra serpentina.

The head is of enormous size, broad behind, tapering rapidly to the
acuminate beak and snout. Beak of upper jaw projecting beyond the
lower, and strongly hooked, the outline of the cutting edge rising from
the point of the beak, then descending to the middle, and then rising to
the corner of the mouth. Lower jaw turned up into a strong hook.
Head covered with large, symmetrical plates. Neck short. Tail about
three-fourths the length of the carapace, furnished above with three rows
of low tubercles, below with rows of small scales. Color yellowish or
reddish brown to black.

This species attains a great size for a fresh-water turtle. Agassiz saw
one alive that weighed about two hundred pounds. One of his cor-
respondents speaks of a skull which measured nine inches between the
eyes. A dry specimen that I examined in the National Museum had
the carapace 23 inches long and 20 wide. The head was 8 inches long
and 7 wide. The sternum was 16 inches long. A skull in the Indiana

152

Oeolngical Museum, said to have come from Arkansas, is 9 inches wide
and as many long. The length from the snout to the occipital condyle is
YJr inches.

Its range is from western Georgia to Texas and north to Indiana. It
has been taken in the Wabash River, at Gray ville, 111. , as Mr. Robert
Ridgway, of the National Museum, informs me. The specimen captured
there was exhibited at county fairs, and was so strong that it could easily
walk about with a large man on its back. Dr. Yarrow ( 10, 30) reports
two specimens of this species in the National Museum, from Northville,
Mich., but an examination of the records at the Museum shows that the
specimens sent from that place were not of this tortoise, but of Nectunis.

Habits. — This is one of the most remarkable turtles occurring within
our limits, if not within the United States. It is rare in collections, and
persons living along the lower Wabash ought to secure all the specimens
possible. It may at all times be distinguished from the common Snap-
ping-turtle by the three extra plates above those marginals Avhich are
placed just above the bridge. Its great head and its rapidly descending
snout are also good marks. It is an exceedingly strong and fierce turtle,
and a large one would be hard to manage. Mr. True states that he has
known a specimen of perhaps forty pounds to bite the handle of a broom
quite in two when enraged. They live principally on fish, but will no
doubt devour almost any animal that may be so unfortunate as to come
within range of their powerful jaws. One is mentioned (4-, h 415) as
catching a bass about fourteen inches loiig and holding it down on a rock
with his fore feet and greedily eating it. The breeding habits are not
■well understood. Agassiz figures the egg. It is spherical and an inch
and three-eighths in diameter.

Family IX. KINOSTERNID^.

Body rather narrow and high. The greatest height behind the middle,
beyond which the outline descends rapidly. Marginal plates 23. Plas-
tron moderately to well developed ; formed of 8 bones, the entoplastron
being absent. Plastral scutes 10 or 11 ; the gulars present and united or
absent ; the pectorals not meeting the marginals ; abdominals cut ofi"
from marginals by two small plates on the bridge. Head large ; jaws
strong; snout projecting. Digits moderately developed and webbed.
Five fingers and four toes with claws. Eggs elliptical.

Plastron narrow, its hinder lobe not more than one-half the width of
the carapace. Aromochelys, p. 153.

Plastron wider, its hinder lobe considerably wider than one-half the
carapace. Kinosternon, p. 154.

153

Geuus ARUMOCHELYS, Gray.

Aromocheli/s, Gray, 1855, So, 46; Goiiiochelyn and Ozotheca, Agassiz,
1857, 4, i, 423, 424; Oinostemxim, iu part, Boulenger, 1889, 84, 33.

Shell of the young with a prominent keel, which may persist in the
adult or more or less disappear. Plastron lacking much of filling up
the opening of the carapace, the hinder lobe not more than one-half the
width of the carapace. The lobes little movable on the middle portion,
and the whole length of the plastron considerably less than that of the
carapace. Suture between the pectorals longer than that between the
humerals.

Gular scute present ; head with yellow streaks from snout.

A. odorata, p. 153.

No gular scute ; head with dark spots, no streaks of yellow.

A. carhiata. Appendix.

Aromochelys odorata, (Bofc).
Musk Turtle.

Testudo odorata, Bosc. , 1803, 69, 189 ; SternotJuerus odoratus, Holbrook,
1842, 54, i, 133, pi. 22; Aromochelys odorata, Gray, 1855, 25, 46; Ozoth-
eca odorata, Agassiz, 1857, 4, h 425, and ii, pi. iv, figs. 1-6 ; Cinosternum
odoratum, Boulenger, 1889, 84, 37.

Body of the young broadly oval and with a prominent keel, toward
which the shell slopes roof-like. As the animal grows older the shell
becomes proportionally narrower, the middle of the back more rounded,
and the keel almost disappears. The first vertebral scute is long and
narrow. Plastron narrow, leaving wide gaps between it and the cara-
pace. The anterior lobe slightly movable on the transverse hinge. It
extends forward from this hinge only about two-thirds the distance to
the anterior end of the carapace. A small, triangular gular scute pres-
ent. Suture between the humerals not quite equal to that between the
pectorals. Posterior lobe not more than one-half the width of the cara-
pace, falling considerably short of the hinder end of the shell; notched
behind. Plastral scutes of the adults separated by tracts of soft skin.

Head large, snout projecting, jaws strong, the lower hooked. Toes
extensively webbed. Soft skin everywhere provided with prominent
fleshy papillae. Tail of males projecting beyond the carapace, coiled at
the tip, and furnished with a small nail. Posterior borders of the
thighs and lower leg with each a patch of horny, sharp-edged scales.

Color of the carapace brownish or horn-color ; uniform or spotted and
striped with dark brown. Upper surface of head, neck and limbs
brown ; the inferior surfaces paler. Head with two yellow stripes run-
ning back from the snout ; one over, the other below, the eye. Plastron

154

yellow. A specimen that was taken in May at Lake Maxinkuckee had
all the soft skin suffused with I'ed.

Length of carapace 4 or 5 inches.

Distributed from Maine to Florida and west to Louisiana and Western
Missouri. It is no doubt to be found throughout the whole State of
Indiana. It is reported from Brookville (Hughes), Mt. Carmel, 111.
(State coll.), lakes of Northern Indiana (Dr. G. M. Levett), Lake Max-
inkuckee and Marion county (Hay).

Habits. — This is to be regarded as essentially an aquatic tortoise. It
appears to be dieposed to frequent the deeper parts of ponds and small
lakes, since in such places it is safer than about shores or on the land. Its
disposition is timid, and it prefers to seek safety in concealment or in re-
treat, to defending itself actively. Nevertheless its disposition is not
altogether mild, since it will, when prevented from escaping, put out its
head slowly and close its jaws on its assailant with a sudden snap. Hol-
brook states that it will bite severely, if provoked. In their native haunts
they are often seen basking in the sun on some projecting rock or on some
fallen tree, from which on the slightest alarm they drop off into the water.
Their food is probably mostly or altogether of animal origin. They lay their
eggs on shores in holes that they have dug in the sand with their hind
feet. The eggs are from three to five in number, of an elongated ellipti-
cal shape, a little more than an inch long, and have a hard, smooth shell.
One kept in confinement by Agassiz laid after the middle of June.

It takes its specific name from the strong, musky odor which it emits in
life.

Genus KINOSTERNON, Spix.

Kinosternon, Spix, 1824, 90, 17; Kinosternwn, LeConte, 1854, 1, 180;
Cinostermim and Thyrostenium, Agassiz, 1857, 4, h 426 ; Cinosternum,
Boulenger, 1889, 84, 38.

Shell with the median keel indistinct even in the young ; almost or
entirely disappearing in the adults. Plastron with its anterior and pos-
terior lobes movable on the middle fixed portion. Length of plastron
almost equal to the length of the carapace. The width of the posterior
lobe more than one-half the width of the carapace. Suture between
the pectorals considerably shorter than that between the humerals.

Kinosternon pennsylvamcnm, (Gncelin).
Eastern Mud Turtle.

Testudo pennsylvanica, Gmelin, 1789, 64, ed. 13, 1042; Kinosternon
pennsylvanicum, Holhrook, 1842, 54, I, 127, pi. 21; Thyrosternum penn-
sylvanicwn, Agassiz, 1857, 4, i, 428, pi. iv, figs. 7-12 (y'g), and pi. v,
figs. 16, 17; Cinosteryium pemisylvanictim, Boulenger, 1889, 84, 39.

Body oval, n^t much elevated. The young with three indistinct

155

keels, a mediau and two lateral ; these almost wholly disappearing in
the adults ; ofteu a depression along the middle of the back. First and
second vertebral scutes considerably longer than broad. Plastron well
developed, lacking but little of filling up the opening of the carapace.
The anterior lobe rounded, extending even beyond the end of the cara-
pace, freely movable on the transverse hinge. Gular plate single,
small and triangular. The humerals large, and the suture between
them much longer than that between the pectorals. Hinder lobe of
plastron movable on the fixed portion ; notched behind. Head of mod-
erate size ; snout not greatly projecting ; lower jaw hooked. Soft skin
with a few or no fleshy papillse ; a pair of barbels behind the symphysis
of the mandibles. Males with two patches of sharp-edged scales, one
above the hollow of the knee, the other below. Tail of the males pro-
jecting beyond the shell, ending in a horny curved nail.

Color of the carapace horn-color or brown, with the sutures black.
Plastron yellow or brown, with the lines of growth usually very distinct.
Soft skin above brownish, with spots of yellow. A yellow stripe from
the snout over the eye and back on the neck. Another from the eye to
the coruer of the mouth and to the angle of the jaw. Skin of the lower
surfaces yellow. Size small, becoming probably not more than 5 inches
from front to back of carapace.

Distributed from Canada to Florida and west to Texas and Western
Kansas. In Indiana it has been taken by Mr. Robert Ridgeway, at
Wheatland, in Knox county. Prof. W. S. Blatchley reports to me
that he has collected a specimen at Terre Haute. Mr. Ridgway states
that it is common on the bordei's of Monteur's Pond, in Knox county.

Habits. — This tortoise is quite similar to the musk turtle in its mode
of life. It remains about ponds and muddy ditches, where it can bury
itself in the mud whenever it becomes alarmed. They are more in-
clined to passively withdrawing into their shells when attacked than is
the musk turtle, since the shell forms a more perfect protection and
their jaw^s are not fitted for the infliction of severe wounds. Their food
consists of fish, insects and similar small animals. They are said to
take the hook readily, but they nibble the angler's bait so slyly that
their presence is not observed for some time. Their eggs are similar to
those of A. odorata, but rather larger. They are laid in similar situa-
tions.

Family X. TESTUDINIDiE.

Shell completely ossified, varying in form from broad to narrow and
from high to depressed. Greatest height about the middle, whence the
shell elopes in all directions, flaring at the borders. Carapace with the
typical number of scutes, 4, 5, 4, with 25 marginals. Plastron large,,
composed of 9 bones, the entoplastron being present. Plastral scutes-
11 or 12 ; the pectorals coming into contact with the marginals.

156

Key to the Gene k a of Testudinidce.

A. Parts of tlie plastron immovably sutured to one another and to
tlie carapace,
a. Alveolar surface of the upper jaw Avith a median ridge par-
allel with the cutting edge of the jaw.

Chrysemys, p. 156.
aa. Alveolar surface without a ridge.

b. Alveolar surface broad. Choanse even with posterior

borders of the orbits. Malademys, p. 164.

bb. Alveolar surfaces narrow. Choanse between the eyes.

Clemmys, p. 168.
AA. Plastron with at least its anterior lobe movable on a transverse
ligamentous hinge.

c. Upper jaw not hooked. Shell two-thirds as wide as

long. Emydoidea, p. 170.

cc. Upper jaw hooked. Shell three-fourths as wide as

long. Cistuda, p. 171.

Genus CHRYSEMYS, Gray.

Chrysemys, Gray, 1844, 91, 27 ; Boulenger, 1889, 84-, 69 ; Pseudemys,
Gray, 1855, 25, 33; Ptychemys, Trachemys, and Chrysemys, Agassiz, 1857,
4, i, 431, 434 and 438.

Shell moderately depressed. Bridge wide ; the axillary and inguinal
processes of the carapace (seen in the skeleton) well developed, the latter
united to the 5th costal plate. Entoplastron lying wholly in front of the
suture between the humerals and the pectoral scutes. Alveolar surfaces
of the jaws broad, that of the upper with a median ridge parallel with
the cutting edge of the jaw. Choanse well toward the antei'ior border of
the eyes. Hind legs stout, all the digits webbed beyond the bases of
the claws. Skull with a bony arch bounding the eyes behind (temporal
arch).

Key to the Indiana Species of Chrysemys.

A. Alveolar surface of the upper jaw broad, with the median ridge
tuberculated. Upper jaw slightly or not at all notched in
front. (Ptychemys, Ag.)
a. Cutting edges of both jaws smooth or nearly so ; tubercles
of alveolar surface not prominent. Shell quite flat,
deeply serrated behind. Plastron with its hinder bor-
der distinctly notched. Head small.

hieroglyphica, p. 157.

157

aa. Cutting edge of the upper jaw smooth, of the lower ser-
rate. Median ridge of the alveohir surface coarsely
tuberculated. Shell serrate behind. Head of moderate
size. f labyrinthica, p. 158.

\ concinna, p. 159.

AA. Alveolar surface of upper jaw of moderate width ; the alveolar

ridge not tuberculated, at most slightly denticulated. Upper

jaw with a median notch, but no lateral teeth. (^Trachemys,

Ag.)
a. Head rather small; posterior border of the shell very
slightly serrated ; plastron with a shallow notch behind.
Plastral scutes each with a central blotch and a dark
border. troostii, p. 160.

aa. Head of moderate size. Shell serrated behind. Plastron
with a distinct notch behind. Plastral scutes with a
central blotch, their margins not bordered with black.

elegans, p. 161.
AAA. Alveolar surface of the upper jaw rather narrow, widest behind ;
the median ridge not prominent. Upper jaw with a notch in
front, on each side of which there is a small tooth.
{Chrysemys.)
a. Costal scutes alternating with the vertebrals, the trans-
verse rows not straight,
b. Costal scutes without red or yellow bands across them.

marginata, p. 163.
bb. Costal scutes crossed by red or yellow bands.

bellii. Appendix..

aa. Costal scutes placed even with the vertebrals, the rows

across the carapace being straight. picta. Appendix.

Chrysemys hieroglyphiea, (Holbrook).
Hieroglyphic Terrapin.

Emys hieroglyphiea, Holbrook, 1842, o^, i, 111, pi. 17; Ptychemys
hieroglyphiea, Agassiz, 1857, 4-, !> -434; Chrysemys hieroglyphiea, Boulen-
ger, 1889, 84, 76.

Head unusually small; suont somewhat projecting; upper jaw slightly
notched in front; both upper and lower jaws smooth or slightly denticu-
lated. Shell greatly depressed, and in large specimens without trace of
keel. In specimens five inches long there is a slight keel. Shell some-
times smooth, occasionally longitudinally v^'riukled. At its border,
especially behind the thighs, the sheli flares outward excessively, in some
cases producing an actual concavity in the shell above. Hinder margin.

158

-deeply serrated. The bridge is narrow from front to back, the width
being contained in the length of the plastron about tbree times or more.
It rises little toward the carapace, and this contributes to the apparent
flatness of the shell. Hinder border of the plastron with a deep notch.
Longest suture that between the abdominals; the shortest, that between
the humerals. Digits all strongly webbed. Hind feet very large and flat.

The ground color of the carapace varies from olive to dark brown.
This is variegated with numerous lines and stripes of yellow. On the
vertebrals the lines tend to run longitudinally. On the costals broad
yellow bands divide each scute into three or four areas, inside of each of
which are narrow concentric lines of the same color. The marginals are
marked with yellow and brown. The plastron is yellow, with some
splotches of brown on the bridge. The head, neck, feet and tail are all
dark green, with numerous longitudinal bands of yellow. The length of
the shell of large specimens is 12 inches.

Habitat from Georgia to Texas and north to the Wabash Valley.

Two shells of this species are in the State collection, which were sent
from Mt. Carmel, Illinois, on the Wabash River. No doubt it will be
found along the whole lower course of the Wabash. In the " Report of
the State Geologist of Indiana" for 1875, page 499, Dr. G. M. Levette
reports the occurrence of this species in the Kankakee River. Dr.
Levette had given considerable attention to the study of our tortoises, and
it is quite probable that he was correct in his determination of the species.
I have had the opportunity of studying a number of specimens of this
species in the National Museum.

Nothing appears to be known concerning the special habits of this
terrapin. It is undoubtedly entirely aquatic, as are its immediate relatives.

Chrysemys labyrinthica, (LeS.j.

Emys labyrinthica, LeSueur, MSS. in 113, 13 ; Malacochmmys geo-
graphica, in part, Agassiz, 1857, ^, i, 436; Boulenger, 1889, 84-, 90;
Ptychemys labyrinthica, G. Baur, MSS.

The type of this species was taken by LeSueur in the Wabash River,
probably at New Harmony, and is now in the Museum d' Histoire
Natnrelle, at Paris. Both Agassiz and Boulenger regarded it as belonging
to Malackmys gcographica, but it is evidently not this species. Dumeril,
in his description, states that the lower jaw is denticulated and furnished
with a hook which fits into a corresponding depression in the upper jaw.
He correctly compares the species with C. hieroglyphica, but says that it
differs from the latter in the less elongated oval of the carapace and the
elevation of the vertebral line, the shell of hieroglyphica being much
depressed. The species received its name, as said by Agassiz, from the

159

numerous meauderiug Hues upon the bridge of the sternum. Not having
seen s})ecimens, I am unable to state how it differs from C. coneinna. Dr.
G. Baur, of Chicago University, to whom I am indebted for notes
regarding it, states that the skull is much different from that of all other
species. He believes that Prof. H. Garman's specimen from the Wabash
River, described as condnna, belongs to LeSueur's labyrinthica. The two
species are closely related, and specimens should be carefully sought along
the Wabash and preserved.

Chrysemys coneinna, (LeConte).
The Neat Terrapin.

Testudo coneinna, LeConte, 1820, G3, iii, 100 ; Emys coneinna, Holbrook,
1842, 54-, i, pi. 8 ; Pseudemys coneinna. Gray, 1855, 25, 34 ; Ptyehemys
coneinna, Agassiz, 1857, 4, h 432, pi. ii, figs. 4-6; Chrysemys coneinna,
Boulenger, 1889, 84, 83.

Form of the shell somewhat variable in specimens of all ages, some
having the greatest breadth at the middle, others at the hinder part;
some are depressed, others more elevated. The young have a distinct
keel, which is lost in half-grown specimens. The posterior border of the
carapace is slightly serrated, the notches being between the scutes.
Plastron with its posterior border with a distinct emargination ; the hinder
lobe not two-thirds the width of the carapace. Bridge wide, rising with
moderate rapidity toward the carapace. Head of moderate size, the snout
short and blunt. Upper jaAV not at all notched in front ; the cutting
edge smooth ; the alveolar ridge strongly tuberculated. Lower jaw with
its sheath flat and rough on the outside, the cutting edge coarsely serrated,
the tip with a sharp upturned point. Limbs well developed; all the
digits webbed beyond the bases of the claws. Claws of the fore limbs of
the males very long.

Color of the upper shell olive or brownish, with markings of yellow and
dark brown. A yellow band usually runs down the middle of each costal
scute. This usually sends off' lateral anastomosing branches, which divide
off* the surface into a few large areas. Within these the yellow and
brown are arranged in concentric lines. Both the upper and the lower
surfaces of the marginals have eye-like spots of brown and yellow, one
located across each suture. Across each scute there usually runs a yellow
vertical band. Plastron almost uniform yellow, a few small spots of
dusky on the anterior end, and about two on each bridge. Head, neck,
legs, and tail brown, with many longitudinal stripes of yellow, or some-
times red. On the head there is a median stripe from the snout to the
back of the head ; another starting over the eye, widening on the b?ck of
the head ; a stripe starting at hinder corner of the eye ; another originat-
ing under the eye ; and all, except the median stripe, running back on the

160

neck. The lower stripe is met behind the corner of the mouth by a stripe
from the middle of the lower jaw. At the tip of the jaw a stripe begins
which further back divides into two, these including another yellow stripe.

The length of the shell may become as much as 16 inches.

The species ranges from North Carolina to Texas and north to Southern
Indiana. Prof Harry Garman, of Lexington, Ky., states {61, 1892,
185), that he received a fine, large specimen of this species from Dr. J.
Schneck, of Mt. Carmel, Ills. ; and he further says that several others
have been ob.*erved in the same locality. The species will, therefore, be
found along the lower part of the Wabash River, and possibly further
north.

This species may always be readily distinguished from all others by the
smooth edge of the upper jaw and the serrated edge of the lower.

Habits. — Not much appears to be known about the habits of this ter-
rapin. It is quite common in the waters of the more southern States.
Mr. Fred. W. True, of the National Museum, states {52 i, 155), that it
seems to prefer brackish waters. Their diet consists principally of animal
matter, and they are reported, in the South, to feed on certain species of
worms, which they capture by inserting their claws into the worm-holes in
the clay. This seems extremely doubtful. Agassiz found twelve eggs in
the oviducts of one specimen. The eggs are of an elliptical form, about
an inch and a half long and an inch in the shortest diameter.

Chrysemys troostii, (Holb.).

Emys troostii, Holbrook, 1842, 54, i, 123, pi. 20; Trachemys troostii^
Agassiz, 1857, 4-, h 435 ; Pseudemys troostii, Cope, 1875, 13, 53 ; Chrysemys
troostii, Boulenger, 1889, 84-, 76.

Shell only moderately depressed ; said by Holbrook to be " greatly de-
pressed." There is only a trace of the keel iu the adults. Behind the
bridge the shell flares outward, but not so much as in C. hieroglyphica.
The posterior border is only slightly serrated. The upper surface is, in
adult specimens, somewhat wrinkled. The plastron has a broad shallow
notch behind. The bridge is wide, but does not rise much toward the
carapace. The longest suture of the plastral scutes is that between the
abdominals, the shortest that between the humerals. The head is rela-
tively small, flat above, and pointed. The cutting edge of the upper
jaw is convex on each side, with a slight nick in front ; the alveolar ridge
is low and smooth. Lower jaw ending in a turned up tip. Fore and
hind limbs well developed ; the digits all completely webbed ; the claws of
the fore foot of the males very long and curved. The tail of the males
very long.

The ground color of this species may be regarded as greenish horn-
color above, yellow below. The scutes of both the carapace and the

161

plastron are bordered with dark brown. On the carapace, within the
areas thus formed, there may be a little black in splotches. Or this may-
increase in amount until nearly the whole scute is covered. This is es-
pecially true on the hinder half of the shell. On the plastron, beside«
the dark margin, each scute may have a central spot of black, and this
by expanding may occupy most of the surface. This is also more likely
to be the case on the hinder end of the plastron. On each of the two
anterior scutes there is an eyelike spot, consisting of a circle of black in-
closing another of the same color. The yellow of the plastron is to a
considerable extent replaced by red. The soft skin of the head and up-
per side of neck is olive or dusky, varied with numerous fine anastomosing
lines of pale yellow. At the back of the eye a stripe begins and runs
back on the neck. This stripe is bright red, not well defined along the
edges, but seeming to run into the surrounding dark color. In some
cases the whole of the back of the head is red. The feet, legs, tail and
lower side of the neck are ornamented with broad yellow or green stripes.

The length of the shell may reach 9 inches, probably more.

Mississippi River and its tributaries from the Gulf to Northern Mis-
souri. It has been sent to the National Museum from Wheatland, Ind.,
by Mr. Robert Ridgway, to whom we are indebted for knowledge of
many rare reptiles of this State.

This is a very beautiful and a characteristically marked species. It
may readily be distinguished from C. elegaris by the brown borders of all
the scutes, and the absence of yellow stripes on the carapace. Both have
a blood-red stripe along the neck.

Habits. — Little is known, beyond the fact that it is aquatic. It pre-
sents a good subject for study to herpetologists who live on the lower
reaches of the Wabash.

Chrysemys elegans, (Wied).
Elegant Terrapin.

Emys elegaiis, Wied, 1839, 6'J, i, 213 ; Trachemys elegans, Agassiz, 1857,
4, i, 435, pi. iii, figs. 9-11 ; Pseudemys elegans, Cope, 1875, 12, 53 ;
Chrysemys scripta, var. elegans, Boulenger, 1889, 84-, 78.

Shell broad and depressed, the young with a moderate keel, which dis-
appears in the adults. Carapace serrated behind ; a slight emargination
in each scute and deeper ones between them. Surface of the costal
scutes smooth or sometimes slightly wrinkled longitudinally. Nuchal
scute very narrow. Plastron with its posterior border with a broad shal-
low notch ; the wddth of the hinder lobe being hardly two-thirds the
width of the carapace. Bridge wide, rising rapidly to the margin of the
carapace. Longest suture of the plastron that between the abdominals,
11

162

the soortest that between the huraerals. Head of moderate size ; snout
short and rather blunt. Edge of upper jaws convex along the sides,
notched in front ; smooth ; the alveolar surface with a low smooth ridge.
Lower jaw smooth or slightly denticulated. The tip curved upward.
Limbs well developed ; all extensively webbed ; claws of forefoot of
males very long and somewhat curved. Tail of moderate length.

Color of the carapace olive, with lines and spots of yellow and black.
On the vertebral scutes the lines rim mostly lengthwise, on the costals
transversely. Down the middle of each costal scute runs a yellow band
of varying width. Parallel with it are other lines and bauds of black
and yellow, narrow or wide. On both the upper and the lower surfaces
of the marginal scutes are sutural spots consisting of concentric circles of
yellow and black. Between them a yellow band crosses each marginal.
The plastron is yellow, with a black blotch on each scute, these often
ocellated with yellow. The spots on the bridge usually confluent. Head
with numerous narrow stripes of greenish or yellow. A broad stripe
starts under the eye and runs back on the neck, being met at the angle
of the jaw by a stripe from the middle of the lower jaw. Another stripe,
often blood-red, starts at the posterior corner of the eye and runs back
on the neck. The stripe is wanting which in C. coneinna starts above
the eye and extends on the neck. The legs and tail are striped with
yellow.

Length of the shell in large specimens about 10 inches.

This species has been found inhabiting the territory from South Caro-
lina to Mexico, and north along the tributaries of the Mississippi to the
Yellowstone. In Indiana it has been taken at New Harmony (Samp-
son's coll.) ; in the Wabash River at Mt. Carmel, Ills. (L. M. Turner).
The species was originally described by Max Von Wied from specimens
taken near New Harmony. About July 1, 1892, I took a specimen in
the Tippecanoe River at Winamac.

Dr. Boulenger, as above cited, regards this terrapin as only a variety
of C. scripta (Trachemys scabra, Ag.). However, at present it appears to
me that there are sufficient differences in both the young and the adults
of the two forms to justify their being regarded as distinct species.
Their geographical distribution is likewise different. The specimen of
C. elegans reported by Dr. Yarrow {10, 33) from Oakley, S. C, is a
young C. scripta.

Habits. — Quite as little is known about the manners of life of this
species as of most of the other aquatic turtles. Agassiz figures the egg.
It is elliptical in form, an inch and a half in its long and seven-eights in
its short diameter. This naturalist has also observed that this turtle has
a voice, as he believed most turtles have. It is said to "emit a piping
note." Dr. J. Schneck, of Mt. Carmel, Ills., kept a young e^e^ans for
more than two years, during which time it partook freely of food, but

1(58

made no perceptible growth. Prof. F. W. Craigin (^9, 1, 101) thinks
that these and other turtles are sometimes killed by minks and other car-
niverous animals. To the attacks of such enemies may be due the great
timidity of turtles, which seem to have so few enemies.

Chrysemys marginata, Ag.
Western Painted Tortoise.

Ghrysennys marginata, Agassiz, 1857, 4, i, 439, pi. i, fig. 6 and pi. v,
"figs. 1-4; Chnjsemys cinerea, Boulenger, 1889, 84-y 73.

Shell broad and depressed, broadest behind the middle ; the shell
flaring considerably posteriorly ; its surface very smooth ; no traces of a
keel, even in the young. Scutes of the carapace arranged as usual
among tortoises, the suture between the costals meeting the lateral border
of the proper vertebral about its middle. Vertebrals 2 and 3 wider than
long, but narrower than the costals. Anterior border of the carapace
often with a few dentations ; the posterior border not serrated. Plastron
broad and flat, truncated before and behind ; the anterior end often den-
ticulated. Bridge wide, flat, and rising rather rapidly to the margin of
the carapace. Head of moderate size ; snout not much projecting.
Jaws with smooth cutting edge, the front with an evident notch, on each
side of which is a small tooth. Alveolar ridge feeble. Lower jaw little
upturned. Limbs with moderate development; the digits webbed to the
claws. Tail of moderate length, that of the males longest.

The color of the carapace is usually dark green. The hinder border of
the costal and vertebral scutes is narrowly bordered with black. On the
anterior border of the same scutes, and lying immediately against the
black margin, are slightly wider lines of bright red (yellow in alcoholic
specimens). These red or yellow lines do not join so as to form straight
lines across the back. A very narrow line of red runs along the middle
of the back. Upper surfaces of the marginal plates with many crescent-
shaped marks, of bright red. Lower surfaces of the marginals black,
with large splotches of blood-red and bright yellow. Plastron bright yel-
low or brownish red, with a large dusky blotch occupying its central por-
tion. Soft skin of head, legs and tail dark olive, with red stripes. On
the occipital region are two large waxy yellow spots, nearly as large as
the eye; these prolonged backward into two narrower pale yellow stripes.
Another short yellow stripe from the upper corner of the eye ; another
from the lower side of the eye and running back on the neck. Two red
stripes on the front of the fore legs, and similar ones on the posterior sur-
faces of the thighs. Besides these, there are numerous small spots of red
all over the soft parts. All the red fades to yellow in alcohol.

The usual length of the shell is about 4 or 5 inches ; a length of 7
inches may be attained. This species is an inhabitant of the Northern

164

States of the Mississippi Valley from Ohio to Kansas, and north to Lake
Superior. In Indiana it is to be found everywhere. I have proofs of its
occurrence at so many points that it seems unnecessary to state them.

Habits. — This is at once our most beautiful and most common species
of tortoise. It is, however, probably less well known than the Snapping-
turtle, because of its strictly aquatic mode of life and its excessive tim-
idity. It appears to prefer to abide in ponds, pools, and the sluggish parts
of our streams. In such places it may be often seen lying with its fellows
on sortae fallen tree-trunk or on some projecting stone, basking in the sun-
shine. The senses of sight and hearing appear to be acute, for it easily
takes alarm and tumbles into the water and disappears. It is then often
to be found buried in the mud close to where it entered the water. It is
an entirely harmless turtle, and can hardly be provoked to bite, and its
effort is then a feeble one. The food of the Western Painted Turtle
probably consists of insects, tadpoles and other feeble and small animals.

Smith {18, 665) states that in Michigan this turtle has been found out
of its winter quarters as late as October 22, and in the spring on March
31. From tortoises that have been marked, it appears that all these ani-
mals wander but short distances from where they have been hatched.
According to Agassiz' figures, the eggs of this tortoise are about an inch
and a quarter long and nearly seven-eighths in the shorter diameter.
Many interesting things are to be found concerning the closely related
G. picta in Agassiz' work on the Testudinata of North America (^).

Genus MALACLEMYS, Gray.

Malaclemys, Gray, 1844, 91, 28; 1855, 25, 37; Graptemys and 3fala-
coclemmys, Agassiz, 1857, 4, i, 436, 437 ; Boulenger, 1889, 84, 88.

Shell depressed, Avith a distinct keel. Bridge wide, with the axillary
and inguinal processes well developed, the latter united to the 5th costal
plate. Entoplastron lying wholly in front of the suture between the
humerals and pectorals. Jaws with the alveolar surface broad to very
broad and entirely without a median ridge. Choanse behind the level of
the eyes. Skull without a bony temporal arch. Digits extensively
webbed.

Keel strongly tuberculated ; an elongated, transverse, yellow streak
behind each eye. Carapace strongly serrated behind.

pseudo-geographica, p. 165.

Keel not tuberculated; a triangular yellow spot behind each eye.
Carapace feebly serrated behind. geographica, p. 166^

165

Malaclemys pseudo-geographioa, (LciS.).

LeStieur's Map Tortoise.

E. pseiidogeographica, LeSueur, MSS. in Holbrook, 1842, 54, i, 103 pi.
15; Grapternys lesuevrii, Agassiz, 1857, 4. i. 436, pi. 2, figp. 10-12;
Malaeoclemmys lesueurii, True, 1875, 10, 34; Boulenger, 1889, 84., 91
(not Eymjs lesueurii of Gray).

Shell oval, depressed, rising roof-like to the distinct medial keel. Pos-
terior border of some or all of the vertebral scutes with each a prominent
tubercle, largest on the 2d and 3d vertebrals. Shell strongly serrated
behind. Nuchal with a notch in its hinder border. Plastron with its
hinder lobe not much over one-half the width of the carapace ; a broad
shallow notch in its hinder border. Bridge broad and flat, rising little
toward the carapace. Head of the males small ; that of the females
rather large. Snout not at all projecting. Cutting edge of the upper jaw
smooth, convex, the jaw not notched in front; the alveolar surface of
moderate width, wholly separated in front by soft skin. Lower jaw with
smooth, concave cutting edge, not hooked at the tip. Limbs well devel-
oped, the digits webbed to the bases of the claws. Tails of the males, as
with most turtles, bringing the vent beyond the edge of the carapace.

The color of the upper surface of the carapace is olive or occasionally
brownish. Usually there are no black spots on the carapace ; but occa-
sionally there is a blotch, as if made with the inked end of the finger, on
each of the larger scutes and on most of the marginals. Over all the
scales there is a network of greenish lines, often obscure, which divide
each scute into about 4 or 5 areas. The plastron is yellow, with a little
clouding or mottling of brown, or with many irregular and obscure stripes
and lines of dark color. Bridge almost uniform brown or with numerous
streaks of yellow and brown. Head, neck, limbs, and tail dark green,
with many stripes of yellow, and many rows of small yellow spots. Be-
hind the eye there is a very characteristic transverse streak of yellow,
sometimes short, sometimes turned forward beneath the eye. When the
streak is short, there is a yellow dot under the eye.

The shell of this species may reach a length of 10 inches. Adult female
specimens will average 8 inches or less ; males usually smaller.

This is a species belonging to the Mississippi Valley, ranging from Ohio
to Kansas, south to Louisiana, north to Wisconsin. It doubtless occurs
throughout the State of Indiana ; nevertheless, I did not find it at Lake
Maxinkuckee, and Dr. Levette does not give it in his list of turtles found
in the northern part of the State. It is abundant about New Harmony
(LeSueur, Max. V. Wied, and Sampson's coll.) ; found at Brookville
(Hughes) ; Terre Haute, rare (Blatchley) ; Monroe county (Bollman).

166

This species is quite distinct from M. geographica, as shown by the
much narrower alveolar surfaces of the jaws, the strongly tuberculated
vertebral scutes, the more distinct keel, the transverse streak behind the
eye, the coarser network of lines on the carapace, and the greater amount
of brown on the plastron. Some authors, among them recently Dr.
Boulenger and Prof Harry Garman (4£, xxii, 70) have given as distinct-
ive characters the large head of geographica and the smaller head of
'pseudo-geographica. The size of the head is a sexual character in both
species, the males having a small head, the females a large head.
Females of the two species of the same size have heads of approximately
the same width, and the same is true of the males. Of this I have satis-
fied myself by measurement of specimens in the National Museum and in
my own collection. The head is, however, variable in relative size in
different individuals of the same sex. Moreover, it will be found, I think,
that the males average considerably smaller in size than do the females.

Habits. — This is an eminenily aquatic tortoise, spending its life in
rivers, lakes and ponds, and coming out of the water only to bask in the
sun on some rock or fallen tree, or to deposit its eggs. The food of
LeSueur's Map-Turtle has hitherto been regarded as animal in nature,,
such as small fishes, reptiles and the like, but Prof Garman states that
the digestive canal of most of the specimens that he observed were filled
with the bulbs of a sedge. In some cases, however, it was found to have
eaten crayfishes. The t-ggs are large, being an inch and a half in the
longest and an inch in the shortest diameter. According to Agassiz.
this species deposits its eggs earlier in the season than any others of our
turtles. At Natchez, Miss., one was found to have laid her eggs as early
as the first of June. It may here be stated that Agassiz concluded that
our fresh-water turtles do not lay eggs before the eleventh or fourteenth
year.

This species does not appear to be employed to any considerable extent
as food, yet there seems to be no reason why its flesh should not be as sav-
ory as that of many species which are highly esteemed.

Malaclemys geographica, (LeS.).
Geographic Terrapin; Map Tortoise.

Testvdo geographica, LeSueur, 1817, 2, 86, pi. v; Emys geographica,.
Holbrook, 1842, 54-, i, 99, pi. xiv ; Graptemys geographica, Agassiz, 1857,^
4, i, 436, pi. ii, figs. 7-9 ; Malacoclemmys geographicus, Cope, 1875, 12, 53 ;.
Boulenger, 1889, 84. 90; Emys lesueurii, Gray, 1831, 112, 31.

Shell depressed, and keeled in small individuals, becoming more ele-
vated, higher and more rounded in full grown adults. Keel with rudi-
mentary tubercles, this evidence of the keel persisting even in adults.

1G7

Carapace feebly serrated posteriorly. Nuchal narrow, its hinder border
notched. Carapace rounded bebiai ia. the females, more pointed in the
males. Plastron with its posterior lobe about two-thirds the width of the
carapace; distinctly notched behind. Bridge wide, rising little toward
the carapace. Limbs well developed, scaly, the digits well provided
with webs. None of the claws of the male much elongated. Head of
the males small, that of the females large. Snout not at all projecting.
Upper jaw with the cutting edge smooth, somewhat sinuated, not notched
in front; the alveolar surface very broad, united with its fellow back
nearly to the choanse. Lower jaw flat, its alveolar surface resembling
that of the upper jaw. The jaw not hooked at the tip.

Ground-color of the carapace dark olive. Over all the scutes there is
a network of greenish lines, so that each of the large scutes is divided
into about 8 to 10 areas. Under side of the marginals with sutural spots
of dark green, which enclose irregular lines of yellow. Head, neck,
limbs and tail dark green, almost black, with numerous lines and streaks
of greenish yellow. Behind the eye is a somewhat triangular spot of
greenish yellow, often elongated backward. Plastron yellow, with the
sutures of the scutes marked with a dark line. Occupying the center of
the plastron is a large lyriform blotch of brown, which looks as if the
color had almost faded out.

The size of this species averages larger than that of M. pseudo-geograph-
ica, full grown specimens being about 10 inches long. It may become
still larger.

This species is distributed from Pennsylvania and New York to Michi-
gan and A rkansas. It is found no doubt in all the streams and lakes of
Indiana. Known localities are New Harmony ; Brookville ; North Man-
chester, Wabash county (A. B. Ulrey) ; Lake Maxinkuckee ; Eel and
St. Joe rivers; Terre Haute (Blatchley); Fall Creek, Marion county
(W. P. Hay) ; Kankakee River at English Lake ; Tippecanoe River at
Winemac.

This turtle can be readily distinguished from any other species occurring
in Indiana by the extremely expanded masticatory surface of the jaws.
From M. pseudo-geographica it may be distinguished by the reduced keel,
especially of the large females, the rudimentary tubercles of the keel,
and especially by the triangular spot behind the eye. As stated in the
description of M. pseudo-geogr-aphica, it is the head of the female that is
large; that of the male is little, if any, larger than males of the same
size of pseudogengraphica. My observation is that the females are usually
much larger than are the males. Dissections made of 7 specimens taken at
Lake Maxinkuckee showed that 4 were females, all with carapace more
than 6 inches long ; the others were not over 4 inches long, and all were
males. I think that males may become somewhat larger than these, but
not nearly so large as the largest females.

168

Habits. — The mode of life of the Map Turtle is as thoroughly aquatic
as that of its relative, 31. pseudogeographica. It probably never, unless
compelled to do so, leaves the immediate vicinity of its native stream.
Holbrook states that it is bolder and more active than most other turtles,
those that he had seen approaching even the snapping turtles in their dis-
position to bite when disturbed. The food of this species consists of an-
imals of various kinds. Prof. Harry Garman (4^, xxii, 70) states that
an examination of the contents of the alimentary canal showed that the
food consisted exclusively of mollusks, the young eating the thinner
shelled species, the adults the larger and thicker shelled kinds. At
Lake Maxinkuckee three persons caught about 30 specimens of this
species in a few hours. Without probably an exception they were found
near the shores, where there were great numbers of the water-breathing
univalves. After a number had been kept for a few days in a tub there
were found in it large numbers of the opercles of such mollusks ; and in
the intestines of one were the remains of a crayfish, some fish scales,
and what appeared to be the cases of some kind of caddis-worm. Its
broad masticatory surfaces are well fitted for crushing the shells of mol-
lusks.

The eggs of this species, as figured by Agassiz, appear to be somewhat
smaller than those of LeSueur's tortoises. I have found 16 eggs in a
large female. DeKay states that the flesh of this tortoise is good for food.
Where they are abundant they might be turned to good account.

Genus CLEMMYS, Wagler.

Clemmys, A^agler, 1830, 75, 136 ; Boulenger, 1889, 84, 100 ; Nanemys,
Calemys, Glyptemys, etc. ; Agassiz, 1857, 4y h "^^'^ seq.

Shell moderately to strongly depressed. Bridge wide, with strong axil-
lary and inguinal processes of the plastron just reaching the 1st and 5th
costal plates. Entoplastron crossed by the suture between the humerals
and the pectorals. Alveolar surfaces of the jaws narrow and without a
median ridge. Choanse toward the front of the eyes. Skull with a bony
temporal arch. Digits more or less extensively webbed.

Clemmys guttata, (Schneider).
Speckled Tortoise.

Testudo guttata, Schneider, 1792, 120, x, 264 ; Emys guttata, Holbrook,-
1842, 54, i, 81, pi. 11 ; Najiemys guttata, Agassiz, 1857, 4, h 442, pi. i,
figs. 7-9 ; Oielopus guttatus. Cope, 1875, 12, 53 ; Clemmys guttata, Bou-
lenger, 1889, 84, 109.

Shell oval, widest behind, rather depressed, no traces of keel in the
adult, little trace even in the young. Nuchal scute very narrow. Plas-
tron large ; the hinder lobe about three-fourths the width of the carapace,

109

Avilh a shallow ernarganatiou iu the posterior border. The anterior lobe
truueated, not movable on a transverse hinge. Bridge rather narrow,
not more than half the width of the hinder lobe of the plastron, rising
rather rapidly to the carapace. Plastron of the male concave. Head of
moderate size, covered with a hard smooth skin. Snout not at all pro-
jecting. Upper jaw notched in front ; the alveolar surface very narrow.
Lower jaw with the sheath externally very wide; the tip upturned.
Choaure well forward, under the front of the eyes. Legs and feet all
covered with scales, those of the front limbs large and overlapping. Feet
not large, the claws rather short, the web not extensive. Tail long, that
of the male bringing the vent beyond the carapace.

The general color of the carapace is black. Sometimes there appear to
be patches of reddish brown showing through the darker. On each
scute there appear from one to a dozen round spots of bright orange, each
larger than the pupil. The plastron is red, orange and black, the black
generally predominating. The orange usually occupies the center of the
plastron and the margin. Head above black, with orange dots. Gen-
erally there is a large spot of orange just above the ear. The neck is
black, with more or less red mingled therewith. The shoulders are ex-
tensively red or orange. The upper surfaces of the limbs are black, with
dots of yellow and red ; the lower surfaces red and orange. The tail is
black, with red at the base. Length of shell 4 or 5 inches.

Distribution from New England to North Carolina, west to Indiana.
In this State it appears to be found only in the northern portion among
the numerous lakes, streams and swamps found there. Dr. G. M. Le-
vette first found it in that region, reporting it as occurring "in ditches
around Kendallville, and doubtless over the whole region." Two speci-
mens were picked up one morning at Lake Maxinkuckee in May, 1891,
by members of the Indiana Academy of Science. Taken also at Ro-
•chester, Fulton county, by Dr. Vernon Gould ; English Lake (Dr. Baur).

Habits. — This little turtle is less exclusively aquatic than any of those
that have been described, except the snapping-turtle. It seems to de-
light in being in the neighborhood of swamps and sluggish streams, and
it probably spends the greater part of its time in the water. Neverthe-
less it often leaves the water, and it may be picked up while it is making
its journeys. It is a very harmless animal, and deserves protection.
Holbrook says that it is timid and gentle, and can easily be domesticated.
When at freedom they collect in numbers on objects above the water and
enjoy the sunshine; but if any fancied enemy is seen approaching they
slide off rapidly into the water and soon bury themselves in the mud.
Their food is said to consist of tadpoles, lyoung frogs and other weak ani-
mals. On land they devour earthworms, crickets and grasshoppers.

Their eggs are few in number; never, according to Agassiz, exceeding

no

three or four. They are about an inch and a quarter long and three-
quarters in the shorter diameter. The eggs are laid about the 20th of
June, in a perpendicular hole dug by the use of the hind legs. After the
eggs are deposited the dirt is pushed back over the opening so as to con-
ceal it entirely.

Genus EMYDOIDEA, Gray.

Emys, Duraeril, 1806, 119, 76 ; Agassiz, 1857, 4-, h 441 ; Boulenger,
1889, 84, 114; Emydoidea, Gray, 1870, £5, Sup. 19; Baur, 1890, 22,
xxiii, 1099.

Shell moderately elevated. Bridge narrow, the plastron not sutured
to the carapace, but united to it by ligament ; therefore, more or less
movable on it. Plastron divided by a transverse hinge at front end of
bridge into two lobes, which are movable on each other. Axillary and
inguinal processes of the plastron short, the latter just reaching the fifth
costal plate. Entroplastron reaching but hardly intersected by the
suture between the humeralsand the pectorals. Alveolar surface narrow,
without a median ridge. Choan:© between the eyes. Skull with a bony
temporal arch. Digits webbed.

According to Dr. Baur, this genus differs from the Old World Emys in
that the frontals enter the orbits, and the rib-heads are long, as in
Chelydra.

Emydoidea blandingii, (Holb.).

Blanding's Tortoise.

Cistuda blandingii, Holbrook, 1842, 54, i, 39, pi. 3 ; Emys meleagris,
Agassiz, 1857, 4> i> 442, pi. iv, figs. 20-22 ; Emys blandhigii, Boulenger,

1889, 84, 114; Emydoidea blaiidhigii. Gray, 1870, 25, sup. 19; Baur,

1890, 22, xxiii, 1099.

Shell elongated oval, widest just behind the middle; rather high, con-
vex, and without keel. Carapace not serrated behind. Plastron large,
entirely closing the shell ; movable on carapace on the ligamentous hinges,
the two lobes movable on each other on a transverse hinge covered by
the suture between the pectorals and the abdominal scutes ; the posterior
lobe somewhat excavated behind. Posterior border of the entroplastron
reaching the humero-pectoral suture, but not intersected by it. Bridge
narrow and very short, almost obliterated Head long and wide, the
eyes opening somewhat upward. Upper jaw with the cutting edge con-
vex at the sides and notched in front. The alveolar surface narrow.
Lower jaw with narrow alveolar surface and with a hooked tip.

Limbs, including the feet, scaly ; the toes short and provided with a
narrow web. Tail covered with scales ; that of the male about two and
two-thirds times in the length of the shell, that of the female shorter.

171

Color of the shell above, dark green to black, each scute with several
round, triangular or oblong spots of yellow or orange, those of the mar-
ginals largest ; all, however, sometimes wanting. Plastron yellow, with
the outer posterior portion occupied by a blotch of brown. This blotch
may expand so as to take in almost the whole scute. Head and neck
above and aloug the sides dusky, with numerous yellow dots ; chin, throat
and under side of the neck yellow. Legs yellow, with mottlings of
brown. Tail striped longitudinally with yellow and brown.

The carapace may attain a length of nine inches, but this is uncommon.

This species is wholly Northern in its distribution, being found from
Massachusetts and Canada to Northern Illinois. In Indiana it occurs
only in the region of lakes in the northern portion. Dr. Levette (93,
1875, 499) reports it as occurring "sparingly in the northern parts of
Lagrange and Steuben counties." A live one was seen at Lake Maxin-
kuckee in May, and I have a shell of one that was taken at Rochester,
Fulton county, by Dr. Vernon Gould, of that place. It does not appear
to be rare in that region. It is also common at English Lake, in Starke
county.

Habits. — Not much accurate information has been gathered concerning
the habits of this tortoise. It is probably somewhat less aquatic than the
speckled tortoise, Clemmys guttata, yet it undoubtedly prefers the neigh-
borhood of streams and ponds. I find no account of its food, but this is
probably of an animal nature. Its eggs, as figured by Agassiz, are large
and oval, measuring an inch and three-eighths by almost an inch. There
are from seven to nine of them laid together once a year. The shell is
thick, smooth and hard. According to Agassiz's figures there are no.
yellow or orange dots on the shell of the very young. In this respect they
are in contrast with the young of Clemmys guttata, which are said to have
the spots developed long before leaving the egg, even before the lungs are
developed.

This species is to be distinguished from the box-tortoise by the more
elongated, less elevated and less convex shell, the posteriorly notched
plastron, and absence of anything like a hook to the upper beak.

Genus CISTUDA, Fleming.

Cistuda, Fleming, 1822, 115, ii, 270; Oistudo, Bonaparte, 1830, 116,
162; Agassiz, 1857, 4, i, 444; Boulenger, 1889, 84, 115.

Shell high and very convex. Plastron united to the carapace by
ligament and movable on it; the axillary and inguinal processes rudi-
mentary. Plastron divided by a transverse hinge into two movable lobes,
the hinge covered by the suture between the pectoral and abdominal
scutes. Entoplastron cut by suture between the humerals and the
pectorals. Alveolar surface of jaws narrow, without median ridge.

172

Upper jaw with the beak projecting downward, notched or not. Choanse
between the eyes. Skull without a bony temporal arch. Digits with
short or no web.

Shell with traces of a keel, rounded above ; no bridge.

Carolina, p. 172.
Shell without traces of a keel, flat above; a distinct bridge.

ornata. Appendix.

Cistuda Carolina, (Linn.).
Box Tortoise.

Testudo Carolina, Linnaeus, 1758, 64., x, 198 ; Gistudo Carolina, Gray,
1831, 112, 18; Holbrook, 1842, 5^, i, 31, pi. 2; Boulenger, 1889, <?"4,
115; Gistudo virginea, Agassiz, 1857, 4, i, 445, pi. iv, %s. 17-19.

Shell broadly oval, sometimes four-fifths as wide as long; high and
very convex ; extremely solid. On at least the posterior part of the
<!arapace are evidences of a keel; this in the young quite distinct.
Margin of the carapace sloping rapidly upward from transverse hinge of
the plastron. Plastron large, tightly closing the opening of the carapace,
consisting of two lobes movable on each other and the carapace. The
bridge entirely abolished ; no axillary or inguinal scutes. The plastron
rounded in front and behind. Head of moderate size, the snout not
projecting; upper jaw with the cutting edge drawn down in front into a
hooked beak, the hook not notched; the alveolar surface narrow. The
lower jaw turned upward at the tip. Limbs and feet scaly, especially the
anterior. Claws stout ; the web between the digits narrow. Tail short.
Scutes sometimes very smooth, sometimes showing distinctly the concen-
tric lines of growth. *

The colors of the carapace are yellow and brown or black. Sometimes
the darker color predominates, sometimes the yellow. Usually the ground
is brown or reddish brown, while the yellow appears as spots of various
shapes; often radiating from the point of growth of the scute. The
ground color may appear to be yellow, relieved with black spots. The
plastron is variously ornamented with black and yellow. The young
have a single yellow spot on each of the scutes of the carapace. The
head, neck, limbs, and tail are brown, with numerous spots of yellow and
orange. Often the scales of the fore-legs are especially bright yellow.

The length of the carapace is about 4 or 6 inches in full grown ex-
amples.

This tortoise is distributed from New England to the Gulf and westward
to Texas. It inhabits the whole of Indiana, and appears to be especially
abundant in the southern portion. New Harmony (Sampson's coll.) ;
Brookville (Hughes and Butler) ; Monroe county (Bollman) ; Terre Haute
(Nor. Sch. coll.) ; Lafayette and Westfield (F. C. Test) ; Jefferson, Mar-
shall, and Marion counties (Hay); Wabash county (C. Ridgley).

178

Habits. — This species is a thoroughly terrestrial auimal ; so much sO'
that the statement has been made that it never goes near the water, can
not endure even rain. This is a mistake, however, as I have seen the
tortoise in a small, shallow rivulet which it might easily have avoided.
On the other hand, it appeared to be enjoying the bath. Mr. Ed.
Hughes of Brookville tells me that he too has seen them in the water ;
but also that he has seen them dead in deeper water, as though they had
drowned. Considering the great thickness and weight of their shells it is
not to be thought that they can swim readily or even at all.

These animals are entirely harmless, and when disturbed, retire within
the shell and submit passively to their captor. They may be regarded as
comparatively feeble animals, and in their thick, strong shells, which may
be almost hermetically closed, we see a due compensation for their indiffer-
ent powers of self-defense.

The food of the box-tortoise appears to be of a mixed nature. Hol-
brook states that it feeds on insects, such as crickets, etc.; but he men-
tions LeConte's statement that they feed on fungi, such as Clavaria. Mr^
Ed. Hughes of Brookville says that he dissected one and found in its
stomach what appeared to be vegetable matter, but no insects. Max.
Von Wied states (103, xxii, 6) that they greatly love cucumbers and let-
tuce, and do great injury to these plants. They are said to be very fond
of mushrooms. Holbrook further says that this tortoise may be easily
domesticated, and will eat whatever is offered it, as bread, potatoes,,
apples, etc. The notion that it will destroy mice aad serpents as food he
properly regards as improbable. The eggs of this species are of the usual
shape, oval, about an inch and a half by three-fourths of an inch. They
number from four to six, have a rather thin shell, and are laid about the
latter part of June or later. During the winter these tortoises, like all
others in our climate, remain buried in the earth. They appear to have
been favorites for persons who attempt to secure immortality of name by
engraving their names on terrapins' backs. From this practice something
has been learned of their longevity. Dr. J. Schneck of Mt. Carmel, Ills.,
states (23, 20, 897,) that one at Albion, Ills., had had some initials en-
graved on it in 1824. It was found in the same vicinity in 1865, and
marked w^ith an additional letter. Again in 1885 it was seen within a
half mile of the spot where it was liberated 20 years before. All the
markings were quite distinct. Other cases of the kind prove that this
tortoise lives a long time, and furthermore that it does not wander far
from its early home.

174
APPENDIX.

The following species seem to require description here on account of
the fact that they have been found not far from the borders of Indiana,
and may, therefore, yet be taken within our limits.

Amby stoma xiphias, (Cope).
Sword-tailed Salamander.

Amblystoma xiphias, Cope, 1866, 1, 192; 1889, 51, 87, with figures;
Boulenger, 1882, 28, 45.

The only known specimen of this species is in the National Museum,
and was taken at Columbvis, Ohio. It is a very close relative of A. tigri-
num. The head is narrower, the width being contained in the distance
from the snout to the groin 4.5 times. The lower jaw projects promi-
nently beyond the snout. The tail is longer than in most specimens of
A. tigrinum, being considerably longer than the rest of the animal. The
» color, also, is different, yellow predominating in A. xiphias, dusky in
A. tigrinum. Any specimens of apparent tigrinum which have peculiari-
ties approaching those here mentioned should be carefully preserved and
examined. Prof. W. S. Blatchley has shown me a specimen from Terre
Haute which has the color peculiarities of xiphias, but it lacks the pro-
jecting jaw and the very long tail. It appears to be a true A. tigrinum.

Ambystoma talpoideum, (Holbrook).
Mole Salamander.

Salamandra talpoidea, Holbrook, 54, v, 73, pi. 24; Amblystoma talpoi-
deum. Cope, 1889, 51, 52, with figures ; Boulenger, 1882, S8, 40.

Most of the known specimens of this species are from the Southern
States, but it has been sent to the National Museum by R. Kennicott,
from about Cairo, III. It is, therefore, to be sought for in the south-
western portion of our own State.

It is the smallest, stoutest, and most clumsily constructed of the species
of the genus. The head is described as being broad and large, the width
being contained in the length to the groin 3.5 times. There are only ten
costal grooves. The tail is very short, being contained in the rest of the
length 1.5 times. The color is a light brown, paler below, with sprink-
lings and marblings of silvery or leaden gray. There are some obscue
dark spots on the back and tail. The length of the animal when full
grown is less than four inches. Prof. Cope states that it lives in damp
places below logs and stones.

175

Plethodon seneus, Cope.
Bronzy Salamander.

Cope, 1881, 23, 878; 1889, 51, 143.

Form and proportions as in P. glutinosus. Vomero-palatine patches in
two straight lines, which do not pass out behind and beyond the choanse.
Costal grooves 13. The color is black, but the upper surface is thickly-
spotted with large, yellowish-green blotches. These occupy almost the
whole surface of the head. The spots on the sides are considerably
smaller. The lower surface is dusted with yellow.

This species was described from a single specimen which was found by
Prof. Cope at the mouth of Nickajack Cave, located at the point where
the three States of Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee adjoin. Dr. L.
Stejneger informs me that the species has more recently been found in
Lee County, Virginia.

Genus GYRINOPHILUS, Cope.

Gyrinophilus, Cope, 1869, 1, 108 ; 1889, 151, 154.

Vomero-palatine teeth in two transverse series which pass out beyond
the choanse. Parasphenoidal teeth present, in two parallel bands, these
meeting the vomero-palatiues at a right angle. Tongue with a free edge
all around and standing on a central stalk. The premaxillary bones not
ankylosed. Digits 4-5.

Gyrinophilus porphyriticus, (Green).
Salmon Triton.

Salamandra porphyritica, Green, 1827, 103, i, 3; Cope, 1889, 5i, 155;
Spelerpes porphyriticus, Bouleuger, 1882,^7, 64.

The type of this genus is G. porphyriticus (Green). This is a native of
the Alleghany Mountains from the Adirondacks to Georgia, but since it
has been reported from Columbus, Ohio, it is possible that it may yet be
found in Indiana. I therefore add a short description of it. For fur-
ther details regarding it see Cope's " Batrachia of North America."

Body elongated, slender and depressed; there is little constriction at
the neck, and the tail tapers gradually to tip. The bead is flat, and the
upper jaw projects beyond the lower. There is a prominent ridge run-
ning from the eye to the edge of the jaw outside the nostril. The eyes
are large and prominent. There are sixteen costal grooves, not counting
one immediately in the axilla. There is also a distinct dorsal groove.
The limbs are rather weak and widely separated. The inner digits are
rudimentary.

176

The color above is a light brownish red ; below, a pale salmon. The
species closely resembles some of the varieties of Spelerpes ruber, and in
cases of doubt it may be necessary to expose the premaxillary bone in
order to determine with certainty the genus.

Spelerpes ruber, (Daudin.).
Red Triton.

Salamandra rubra, Daudin, 1802, 69, viii, 227; Spelerpes ruber, Bou-
lenger, 1882, ^8, (52 ; Cope, 1889, 51, 172, with figures.

This species has not at this date been found within the territory of
Indiana ; yet since it has been taken about Cincinnati and Columbus,
Ohio, and in the region about Chicago, it undoubtedly is an inhabitant of
Indiana. It is, therefore, proper that it should be here described, for the
double purpose of calling attention to it and of enabling observers ta
identif}^ it. Wherever it occurs it appears to be an abundant species.

This is a rather heavily built species, although the young are more
slender. The width of the head is contained in the distance to the groin
six times or a little less. The length of the tail two-fifths the total length.
It is thick at the base, flattened toward the tip, keeled above from a
short distance from the base, and below along the pcisterior half. The
limbs are feebly developed ; when the fore and hind legs are pressed to
the side they lack about seven costal interspaces of meeting. Of the costal
grooves there are fifteen, rarely sixteen. The tongue is boletoid. The
vomerine teeth run along the hinder border of the choanse transversely,
then bend at a right angle and run backward to meet the parasphenoidal
patches.

The color above varies from salmon to orange, vermillion, or brown-
ish red. The belly is usually of some shade of red and without spots.
Above there are numerous spots of black, which are distinct in the
young, but in the old are more diffused, giving a brownish tinge to the
whole upper surface. The total length may be six inches.

This beautiful animal is more aquatic than any others of the genus that
we have with us. Prof. Cope states that its chief haunts are cold springs,
but it is frequently seen in damp situations under the bark of fallea
trees. It comes on the land after rains.

Spelerpes guttolineatus, (Holbrook.)
Holbrookes Triton.

Salamandra guttolineata, Holbrook, 1842, 54, v, 29, pi. 7 ; Spelerpes
gtittolineatus, Boulenger, 1882, 28, 65; Cope, 1889, 51, 170, with figures.

This is another species that may yet be found to occur in ludiana.
It is most abundant in the Alleghany Mountains, but has been reported
by Robert Kennicott from New Madrid, Mo.

177

It is of the size and general proportions and features of Spekrpes longi-
caudus. It has, however, thirteen instead of twelve costal grooves.
Above, the color is brownish yellow. There are three stripes of dark
brown, one iu the median line, another on each side, beginning at the
eyes and extending to the tip of the tail. The under surface is yellow,
mottled with brown. Pi-ofessor Cope says that its habits resemble those
of Plethodon cinereus. It appears, then, to be essentially terrestrial.

Hyla carolinensis, (Pennant).
Carolhm Tree-frog.

Calamita carolinensis, Pennant, 1792, 59, ii, 33] ; C. cinerea, Schneider,
1799, 4.1, i, 174; Hyla viridis, Holbrook, 1842, 54, iv, 119, pi. 29;
Hyla carolinemis, Giinther, 1868, 60, 105; Boulenger, 1882, 27, 377;
Cope, 1889, 51, 366, with figures.

This species has not been seen in Indiana up to this time. It appears
to be a common frog in the Southern States from Washington, D. C.
(W. P. Hay) to Texas, but it has been taken at St. Louis, Mo., by Dr.
Englemann; and Prof. Harry Garman {61, 189) reports having found it
in Union county, Illinois. It is, therefore, to be looked for in the
southern portion of our State.

The size is usually greater than that of M. versicolor, the head and
body being sometimes more than two inches. The head tapers to the
rather pointed snout, and is rather longer than broad. The body is
slender and the limbs long. The heel reaches in front of the eye. The
fingers are distinctly Avebbed ; the toes are webbed to the disks. The
digital disks are a little smaller than the tympanum. The surface above
is smooth or faintly granulated. The belly and lower parts of thighs
are strongly granulated ; the throat moderately so. The color above is
brownish or olive-green in spirits, but grass-green in life. There are
some spots of a light color ; at the snout starts a streak of white which
runs along the upper lip, under the ear, and over the arm to the side of
the body. A similar streak runs along the hinder border of the arm, and
still another along the hinder border of the tibia and foot.

Rana septentrionalis, Baird.
Northern Frog.

Rana septentrionalis, Baird, 1855, 1, 51; Garnier, 1883, £2, 945;
Boulenger, 1882, 37, 37; Cope, 1889, 51, 416, with figures.

Rana septentrionalis is a species of frog which ranges from New York

to Minnesota, and which may therefore be expected to occur in Northern

Indiana. It resembles closely R. clamata. The patches of vomerine

teeth, however, are minute and do not project behind a line joining the

12

178

posterior borders of the choanse. Tympanum variable, not as large as
the eye. Skin above often rough, but without pustulations. Two dorso-
lateral glandular folds, as in R. clamata, but sometimes indistinct. Feet
fully webbed ; soles without tubercles. Above, the color is light or dark
olive, with many narrow, irregular lines of paler. The sides and hinder
half of the back with large spots of brown. The hind limbs with dark
bars. The living frog is said to have a peculiar minky odor (22, 1883,
945).

Rana eantabrigensis, Baird.

Cambridge Frog.

^ Rana eantabrigensis, Baird, 1854, 1, 62; Boulenger, 1883, 27, 45;
* Cope, 1889, 51, 435, with figures.

JRaiia eantabrigensis is a near relative of R. sylvatica, and ranges through
British America and Alaska. Not many specimens of it appear to have
been taken within the United States, but in the National Museum is a
specimen (51, 437) which is reported to have come from Clark County,
Illinois. This county bounds Vigo County, Indiana, on the west, and it
is probable that this frog also belongs to Indiana territory. It is more
likely to be found in the northern portion of the State. Specimens of
supposed sylvatiea need to be closely scrutinized in search of eantabrigensis.

This species differs from sylvatica in having the heel reach only to the
middle of the orbit, the tympanic disk only half the diameter of the
orbit, the skin of the back between the glandular folds smooth, three
phalanges of longest toe free from web, and with a light stripe down the
middle of the back. Probably no one of these characters will be
sufficient to identify this frog, but most of them must be present.

Carphophis vermis, (Kenn.).
Worm Snake.

Celuta vermis, Kennicott, 1859, 1, 99 ; GarphopJiiops vermis, Cope, 1875,
12, 34; (Jarpliophis vermis, Smith, 1882, 18, 699; Carphophis amcena var.
vermis, Garman, 1883, 13, 101.

Carphophis verynis is found from St. Louis, Mo. , to Kansas and south to
Louisiana. It is to be expected in Southern Indiana. It is regarded by
Garman as only a variety of C. amcEna. There are two pairs of frontals,
as in aiyicena. However, the head is smaller and the snout more pointed
than in amcena. The color above is dark iridescent purple, almost black.
This dark color descends only to the third row of dorsal scales and ceases
abruptly. The upper lip is of the color of the abdomen. This is flesh
color ; while the tail below is red. In a specimen taken at Little Rock,
Ark., thei-e are 145 ventral plates and 25 subcaudals. The length is 10
inches. I regard this form as a good species.

179

Virginia valeriee, B. & G.
Valeria's Snake.

Virginia valeriee, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 127; Garman, 1883, 13,
98, pi. vii, fig. 3.

This species is said to occupy the territory from Maryland to Georgia
and Illinois. It is therefore likely to be found in Indiana. Specimens in
the National Museum are reported to be from Cook county, 111., and from
" Southern Illinois."

It differs from V. elegans especially in having the scales in only 15 rows,
instead of 17. Ventral plates 118 to 127 ; subcaudals 24 to 36. Length
11 inches or less. Color yellowisb or grayish brown; dull yellow be-
neath. On the upper surface there are a few black dots; while on each
scale of the back there is a faint line, which makes the body appear as if
striated. Named for Miss Valeria Blaney, of Maryland.

Abastor erythrogrammus, (Daudin).

Red-lined Snake.

Abastor erythrogrammus, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 125 ; Hydrops
erythrogrammus, Garman, 1883, 13, 35.

The genus Abastor differs from the genus Farancia only in having the
prefrontals distinct, those of opposite sides not being fused. Abastor ery-
throgrammus reaches a length of 40 inches, and has the same colors as
Farancia abacura. The red, however, forms three longitudinal lines, or
stripes. The two lower, or outer, rows of scales are red. Occasionally
this stripe is a little wider or a little narrower. The next three rows of
scales are black or blue-black. Then follows a stripe of red, occupying
one row of scales. Above this is another blue-black stripe three scales in
width. The tenth row of scales, the one on the middle of the back, is red.
The lower surface is red or flesh color, with a series of blackish spots near
the ends of the ventral plates^. There are some spots of red on the head.
Thus we have here a striped snake, instead of a spotted one. as is Farancia
abacura. There are about 180 ventral plates.

This snake is best known as a resident of the Southern States east ot
the Alleghany Mountains, but it has been reported, on the authority of
Mr. Garman (13, 35) and others as having been taken about Mt. Carmel,
ip Illinois. If this is true, it will yet be found in Indiana.

180

Genus HALDEA.B. &G.

Haldea, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 122.

A genus containing a single species of small snakes. Head rather
elongated, hardly distinct from the neck; the snout pointed. The place
of the prefrontals occupied by a single small plate. Postfrontals large,
entering the orbits and suppressing the anteorbitals. Loral present.
Nasals 2. Scales keeled. Aual plate divided.

Haldea striatula, (Linn.).
Brown Snake.

Coluber striatuliis, Linnseus, 1766, 6'^, 375; Haldea striatula, Baird and
Girard, 1853, 6, 122; Cope, 1892, 3, xiv, 376; Virginia striatula, Gar-
man, 1883, IS, 97, pi. vii, fig. 2.

A small, slender snake, not exceeding probably one foot in length ; the
tail forming about a fifth the total. Head pointed. Crown shields 8,
the prefrontals being united. Nasals 2, with the nostril between. A single
postorbital and one large temporal. Inferior labials 6. Superior labials
5, the eye over the 3d and 4th. Scales in 17 rows, feebly keeled, those
of one or two outer rows large and smooth. Ventral plates 119 to 133 ;
pairs of subcaudals 25 to 46.

Color of upper surface grayish or reddish brown. Abdomen yellowish.
There is said sometimes to be a light chestnut band across the back of the
head.

Distribution chiefly in the Southern States ; said by Prof. S. Garman
to occur from Massachusetts to Mississippi. I have taken it in central or
southwestern Arkansas.

Little or nothing is known concerning the habits of this snake. In a
female taken in Arkansas I found about half a dozen long slender eggs,
in each of which was found a young Haldea. From the thinness of the
egg membranes I judge that the young are brought forth alive and ac-
tive.

Uatrix rigida, (Say).

Stiff Snake.

Coluber rigidus, Say, 1825, 2, 239 ; Tropidonotus rigidus, Holbrook,
1842, 54; iv, 39, pi. 10; Regina rigida, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 46;
Tropidonotus leberis, var. rigidus, Garman, 1883, 13, 28 ; Natrix rigida.
Cope, 1892, 3, 668.

This species has been reported from Indiana, but there is now so much
doubt about the matter that I prefer to arrange it among the species that
have not yet been taken in the State. Indeed it is doubtful if it occurs
west of the Alleghany Mountains.

181

The scales are arranged in 19 rows. A^entral plates 132 to 135 ; sub-
caudals 52 to 71. The outer row of scales is smooth, the second nearly
so. The ground-color is greenish brown. The middle of the back is of
the groundcolor, but on each side of this there is a narrow dark stripe,
which centers on the 8th row of scales. These stripes are usually dis-
tinct. Along the flanks, lying on the 2d row of scales, is a baud of pale
color. The belly is yellowish, with two rows of dark spots, which lie
close together and run from the throat to the vent. Upper jaw, lower
jaw and throat yellow.

A specimen with 170 ventrals, from Illinois, on which, in Jordan's
Manual, I assigned rigida to that State, seems to be rather a specimen of
N. grahamii.

Natrix grahamii, (B. & G.).
Graham's Water Snake.

Regina grahamii, Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 47 ; Tropidonotus grahamii,
Giinther, 1858, 26, 78; Tropidonotus leberis, var. grahamii, Garman,
18-3, 13, 28; Natrix grahamii, Cope, 1892, 3, 668.

This species occurs from Michigan to Louisiana and Texas. It is there-
fore certain to be found in Indiana, though no one has yet recorded it.

The rows of scales are 19, and ail keeled ; and the number of ventral
plates is greater than in the related species, being from 160 to 170. Pairs
of subcaudals about 60.

The general color is brown. The middle of the back has a pale band
occupying 3 scales in width. Outside of this, on the 8th row of scales,
is a narrow dark stripe. On each flank, occupying the three outer rows
of scales, is a pale streak. Both above and below this is a very narrow
dark stripe. The belly is uniform yellow, except that in the middle line,
along the hinder portion of the body, there is a dusky stripe.

The eggs of N. grahamii (taken from the oviducts) were found to be
1.5 inch long by .75 in the short diameter. The young, taken from such
an egg, was 7 inches long, and was partly enclosed in a sort of concave
disk formed of the remains of the yolk. The stripes of the young were
much more distinct than those of the adult, and the determination of the
species was less difiicult. The young are no doubt brought forth alive
and active,

Natrix cyclopion, (Dum. & Bib.)

Florida Water-snake.

Tropidonotus cyclopion, Dumeril & Bibron, 1854, 74-, vii, 576; Garman,
1883, 13, 26, pi. 2, fig. 4; Natrix cydopium. Cope, 1892, 3, 673.

Natrix cyclopion is best known as a Floridan snake ; but it has been

182

sent to the National Museum, by Robert Kennicott, from Southern Illi-
nois, and Mr. Garman, as cited above, gives its range as "Ohio to
Florida." It is, therefore, not unreasonable to expect to find it yet in
Indiana.

The scales of N. cyclopion are disposed in from 27 to 33 rows. All the
scales are distinctly keeled, except those of the outer row, which are
only faintly keeled. The ventrals are from 138 to 150; the subcaudals,
60 to 75 pairs. There is one anteorbital, two postorbitals and two sub-
orbitals. The species may usually be readily recognized by the upper
labials being cut ofl' from contact with the eye by these suborbitals.
However, this test occasionally fails. The general color is an, olive brown
or a lead color. Along the pides are faint vertical bands two scales long,
and separated by narrow spaces. These may meet on the back, or they
may alternate. This species appears to be closely related both to N. tax-
ispilota and rhombifera.

Ophibolus ealligaster, (Harl.).

Coluber ealligaster, Harlan, 1835, 39, 122; Ophibolus evansii, Kennicott,
1859, 1, 99 ; Ophibolus ealligaster, Cope, 1875, 12, 37 ; Ophibolus iriangu-
lus, var. ealligaster, Garman, 1883, 13, 66.

Resembles 0. doliatus triangulus, but has the ground-color lighter. The
scales are in 25 or occasionally 27 rows. Light olive-brown or gray,, with
a dorsal series of about 60 subquadrangular, emarginate, dark chestnut-
brown blotches, and on each side two series of smaller lateral spots.
Belly reddish yellow. Central Illinois to Indian Territory. Dr. Yarrow
{10, 94) reports this snake in the National Museum from Mt. Carmel, 111.
There is. therefore, no reason why it should not occur in Indiana. It has
been stated to occur at Brookville, but since there is doubt about the cor-
rectness of the identification, I do not include it among the known snakes
of the State.

Genus PITUOPHIS, Holbrook.

Pituophis, Holbrook, 1842, 54, iv, 7 ; Pityophis, Hallowell, 1852, 1,
181 ; Baird and Girard, 1853, 6, 64; Garman, 1883, 13, 51.

Large and rather stout snakes, with distinct heads and short tails.
Head rather long and pointed. Crown shields 9 or 11 ; the postfrontals
being usually divided into a transverse row of four. Rostral high and
narrow. Loral present, small. Anteorbitals 2, rarely 1. Postorbitals 3
or 4. Nasals 2, with the nostril between. Scales keeled; in 29 to 35
rows. Anal plate entire.

188

Pituophis melanoleucus, (Daudiu.)
Eastern Bull-snake. Pine Snake.

Colubei- melanoleueus, Daudin, 1802, 69, vi, 409 ; Pituophis vielanoleiicus,
Holbrook, 1842, 54, 7, pi. 1 ; Baird and Cirard, 1853, 6, 65.

This suake has an Eastern and Southern range, but it has been re-
ported by Dr. W. H. Smith (IS, 688), on what authority I do not know,
to occur occasionally in the State of Ohio. It is possible, therefore, that
it may yet be found along our eastern border. Hence I give a description
of the species.

The head is broad bejiind, pointed in front. Two pair of postfrontals,
an inner and an outer. Rostral narrow, rising to the inner postfrontals.
One auteorbital. Upper labials 7, the 4th entering the orbit. Lower
labials 13 or 14, the 5th and 6th largest. Scales in 27 to 29 rows, all
keeled except about 4 of the lower rows. Ventral plates 212 to 216 ;
subcaudals, about 60 pairs.

The ground-color above is whitish. On the middle of the back there
is a series of about 30 large reddish brown blotches, all margined with
black. On the sides there are three or four series of irregular spots, more
or less indistinct. Posteriorly these unite into transverse bands, which
may alternate with the dorsal series or come opposite them. The abdo-
men is yellow, with a series of brown blotches on each end of the ventral
plates. The length may become five feet or more.

Pituophis sayi, (Schleg.).
Western Bull-snake. Sai/s Pine Snake.

Coluber sayi, Schiegel, 1837, Essai, ii, 157; Pituophis sayi, Baird and
Girard, 1853, 6, 152.

This species is much more likely to be found in Indiana than the one
just described. In some parts of Illinois it was, in the past, quite abund-
ant, and it has been found well into the eastern part of that State. I
have no record of its occurring in Indiana, but it may be looked for along
the western border, especially northward, with confidence.

It diflfers from melanoleucus, especially in its coloration. The S2:)ots
along the back are more numerous, being about 70 in number. The gen-
eral color, too, is darker, being reddish yellow or, on the back, chesnut
brown. The ventrals are also greater in number than in melanoleucus,
ranging from 220 to 240.

']tenus TROPIDOCLONIUM, Cope.

Tropidoclonium, Cope, 1860, 1, 76.

Head little distinct from the body. Crown shields. 9. Loral present.
Nasal single, grooved below the nostril. Auteorbital 1. Postorbitals 2.
Scales in 19 rows; keeled. Anal plate entire.

184

Tropidoelonium lineatum, (Hallowell).
Streaked Snake.

Microps lineatus, Hallowell, 1856, 1, 241 ; Iropidochnmm lineatum,
Cope, 1860, 1, 76; H. Garman, 61, iii, 187; Storeria lineata, S. Gar-
man, 1883. 13, 32, pi. 1, fig. 4.

This species will almost certainly yet be taken within the limits of our
State. It has been found lately by Prof. Harry Garman, at Urbana,
Ills., within 35 miles of the Indiana line. It has been reported from
Hughes, Ohio, by Dr. Yarrow (10, 131), but I am informed by Dr. L.
Stejneger, of the National Museum, that the specimen so determined is a
Storeria.

This species greatly resembles Tropidonotus rigidus, but the generic
characters are quite different. The scales are in 19 rows, are strongly
carinated, 'and the animal has a very rough appearance. The ventrals
are from 138 to 150; the subcaudals 26 to 35 pairs. The 6th upper
labial has been crowded from its place and lies above and between the
5th and 7th. The ground-color above is ashy-brown. Along the middle
of the back there is a streak of gray one scale and two half scales wide,
and a similar band along each side on the 2d and 3d rows of scales. A
row of black spots on the bases of the lowest row of scales, another just
above the lateral line, and a third on each side of the dorsal streak.
Belly gray or yellow, with two rows of black spots, one on each side of
the middle line, the two spots on many of the ventrals narrowly con-
fluent.

The size is somewhat greater than that attained by Storeria dekayi.
The distribution of the species is from Texas to Kansas and east to Illi-
nois.

Agkistrodon piscivorus, (LaC).

Water Moccasin; Mokason.

Crotalus piscivorus, LaCepede, 1789, Serp. ii, 130; Trigonocephalus
piscivorus, Holbrook, 1842, 54-, iii, 33, pi. 7 ; Toxicophis piscivorus, Baird
and Girard, 1853, G, 19; Ancistrodon jiiscivorus, Garman, 1883, 13, 121,
pi. 8, fig. 2.

This is an abundant snake everywhere about the water courses of the
Southern States. It has not yet been seen by any scientific observer in
any locality in Indiana, although Mr. Robert Ridgway says that he has
been informed" that it was abundant at one time about Viucenues. I be-
lieve that it will yet be found along the lower portions of the Wabash
river and the neighboring parts of the Ohio. It is found in numbers in
the swamps in Union county, Illinois, and this is little further south than

185

Posey county, Iu<j. Ho>vever, uo specimens of it were in the collection
of Mr, Sampson, of New Harmony. It ought to he diligently sought for
in that region, and specimens saved. It is entirely aquatic and will be
found hiding among stones, and in fallen timber, or basking in the sun
along the banks of ponds and streams.

This reptile differs from the Copperhead in having no loral plate, no
suborbitals, the scales in 25, instead of 23 rows, and colors darker. The
ground color is dark chestnut-brown, with blotches of still darker brown.
The head is very dark. Upper lip with a whitish streak that continues
back on the neck. Belly yellowish, with many blotches of black.

Aromochelys earinata, Gray.

Keeled Mud Turtle.

Aromochelys earinata, Gray, 1855, 25, 47, pi. 20 ; Yarrow, 1875, 19,
V, 582; Gouioclielys triquetra, Agassiz, 1857,^, i,423; Cinosternum carina-
tum, Boulenger, 1889, 84, 38.

This species is common in the streams and ponds of the Southern
States from Georgia to Arizona. It has been reported from Northern
Illinois by Messrs. Rice and Davis, and if their determination is correct it
adds to the known range of this turtle in a remarkable manner, and as a
consequence it is to be looked for in Indiana along the Wabash River.
It differs from A. odorata in attaining a larger size, in having a larger
head and stronger jaws, and in having a high shell with a median sharp
keel toward which the slightly convex sides slope up roof-like. The
scutes of the carapace overlap those lying behind them. The plastron is
truncated in front and notched behind. The gular scute is wanting. The
pectorals are large, and the suture between them is longer than that be-
tween the humerals. The males are furnished with two patches of small,
sharp-edged scales, one above, the other below, the hollow of the knee.
The color of the shell and skin above is olive, with streaks of yellow and
spots of brown. The posterior borders of the scutes of the carapace are
blackish. All the inferior surfaces are more yellow. There are no
streaks of yellow on the head. Habits in general those of its relative, the
Musk Turtle.

Chrysemys picta, (Schneider).

Painted Tortoise.

Testudo picta, Schneider, 1783, 87, 348; Eimjs picta, Holbrook, 1842,
64-, i, 75, pi. 10 ; Chrysemys picta, Gray, 1855, 25, 32 ; Agassiz, 1857,
4, i, 438, pi. i, figs. 1-5, and pi. iii, fig. 4; Boulenger, 1889, 84, 72.

This species has at various times been reported from localities in this
State, and was given as a resident of Indiana in my "Preliminary List."

186

There is, however, now so much doubt concerning it that I give it as
merely one of the possibilities and leave it to the future to settle.

C. picta is a close relative of niargiyiata, so close that some authors regard
the latter as only a variety of the former. Picta differs from marginata prin-
cipally in the arrangement of the vertebral and costal scutes, these being
so disposed that the sutures between the costals meet the corresponding
sutures between the vertebrals. Hence the scutes form four straight rows
right across the back, an unusual thing among turtles. The red or yel-
low margin of the front of the scutes is also much wider than in marginata,
and they produce conspicuous colored bands across the shell. In the col-
lection of the National Museum I have seen a specimen with the plates
somewhat intermediate in arrangement; nevertheless I believe thatpicte
has quite thoroughly and in a remarkable manner freed itself, as a species,
from marginata.

Habits. — The habits of C. picta are similar to those of C. marginata and
have been more carefully observed. The reader is referred to Agassiz's
"Contributions" for further information. Prof. J. A. Allen says of
these turtles, as known to him in Massachusetts: "The shrill, piping
notes of this species is frequently heard in May and June, especially
during intervals between showers on hot sultry days."

Chrysemys belli, (Gray).

Etnys belli, Gray, 1831, 112, 31; Chrysemys belli, Gray, 1855, 25, 33;
Agassiz, 1857, 4, h 439, pi. 6, figs. 8-9; Chrysemys cinerea, var. belli,
Boulenger, 1889, 84, 74,

This is another species that has not yet been taken within our limits, but
which may nevertheless be an iuhabitant f-.f the State. It occurs from
Mississippi to western Illinois, thence northwestward to British Colum-
bia. It has been taken in western Illinois by Agassiz, and more recently
by Prof Harry Garman, and it appears to be very common in the sloughs
of the ' ' bottom land " about Quincy. It should be looked for in the
lower Wabash.

The arrangement of the scutes of the carapace is the same as in G. mar-
ginata. The ground-color is copper-red or bronze-color. Across the costal
scutes there are some irregular red or yellow bands and some red dots.
The marginals are divided above by a yellow streak, while on their lower
surface there are black, eyelike spots on a red ground. The plastron is
covered all over with blackish markings of various shapes The size be-
comes greater than that of either picta or marginata, some 8 inches as the
length of the shell.

187

Cistuda ornata, (Ag.).
Ornate Box-tortoise.

Cii>tudo ornata, Agassiz, 1857, 4, h 445, pi, iii, figs. 12 and 13;
Boulenger, 1889, 84, 118.

This species of the genus Cistuda occurs abundantly west of the
Missouri River, being, as reported by F. W. Cragin, " so abundant in
some sections of Southern Kansas that it amounts to a nuisance as a
cumberer of the ground." (4&, 100.) The species, however, ranges
further east into Illinois, and some years ago specimens were sent to the
National Museum from Fairfield, Wayne County, Illinois, within 35
miles of the Wabash River (10, 37), hence its occurence within Indiana
territory may be discovered at any time.

The shell of ornata is proportionally shorter and broader than that of
earolina. The back is also flatter, especially along the middle line, and
there is no trace of a keel, even in the young. The plastron does not
completely close the shell, and there is a short but distinct bridge. The
head is larger, the snout shorter, and the upper jaw is notched in front.
The shell is more elegantly marked than in Carolina, the ground color
being olive-brown to black, while there are numerous spots and streaks
of bright yellow. The yellow markings usually seem to radiate from
the center from which each scute began to grow.

GLOSSARY.

Abdominal Scutes, or Abdominals (of tortoises). See figure 12.

Alveolak surface, a flat masticatory surface of the jaws of tortoises,
seen just withiu the cutting edge.

Amphiccelous. Concave at both ends ; said of certain vertebrae

Anal plate. The large scale immediately in front of the vent of
serpents.

Ankylosed. Joined by bony union.

Anteorbital. a small epidermal plate of the head of snakes, which
lies immediately in front of the eye. If there are but three plates
between the eye and the nostril, either the anteorbital or the loral is
missing. If the plate present next the eye has its greatest length
horizontal, it is the loral ; otherwise it is the anteorbital.

Axilla. The arm-pit.

Axillary. Pertaining to or placed in the axilla.

AzYGOUS. Placed in the middle line, and, therefore, without a fellow.

Balancers. Organs of adhesion at the sides of the mouths of tadpoles ;

"holders."
Barbels. A short, worm-like process of skin about the mouth or at the

chin.
Branchle. Gills.
Branchial arches. Bony or cartilaginous arches that support the

gills of fishes, or arches that correspond to these in other animals.
Bridge. That portion of the shell of a tortoise which joins the carapace

and the plastron.

Callosities. Patches of hard skin on the plastron of soft-shelled turtles.
Canthus rostralis. a slight ridge from the eye to the tip of the

snout, separating the upper surface of the head from the side.
Carapace. The upper portion of the shell of tortoises.
Carinated. Furnished with a keel, or sharp ridge.
Choanje. The internal nostrils.

Clavicles. A bone corresponding to the human collar-bone.
Cloaca. The common chamber into which the intestine, the ureters and

the genital ducts open.

189,

CoRACOiD. The bone or cartilage that forms the portion of the shoulder

girdle in front of the glenoid cavity.
Costal. Pertaining to the ribs. The costal furrows, or grooves, of

Urodeles run across the body between the fore and the hind legs.

For costal scutes of tortoises, see figure 11.
Crown-shields. The large plates which cover the upper surface of

snakes' heads. See figure 9.

Dentaky. The anterior bone of the lower jaw, the one usually bearing

the teeth.
Dermal folds. The thickened ridges of skin on the backs of some

frogs; the glandular folds.
DiAPOPHYSis. The transverse process of a vertebra; here used of that

of the sacral vertebra.

Entoplastron. One of the bones of the plastron of a tortoise.

Emarginate. Furnished with an obtuse notch.

Emargination. a broad, shallow notch.

Epidermal. Belonging to the outer layer of the skin.

Ethmoid. A bone or cartilage between and often surrounding the nasal

sacs.
Eustachian tube. A passage from the tympanic cavity to the pharynx.
ExTRALiMiTAL. Outsidc of the limits immediately adjoining Indiana.

Femoral. Pertaining to the thighs; femoral pores are found on the
under side of the thighs of some lizards.

Frontals. Plates of the heads of snakes. See figure 9.

FoNTANELLE. A spacc filled with membrane between bones that ap-
proach one another without meeting.

GuLAR. Pertaining to the throat; gular fold, a fold of skin across the
throat; gular scute (of tortoises), see figure 12.

Holders. Organs of adhesion at the corners of the mouth of a tadpole.
Humerals. Scutes of the plastron of a tortoise; see figure 12.

Inframarginals. Scutes of some tortoises lying below the marginals.
Inguinal. Pertaining to the groin.

Keel. A well defined ridge. Keeled, furnished with a sharp ridge.

Labial. Pertaining to the lips. Labial plates (of snakes), see figure 9.
Larva. The undeveloped young of some animals, as the caterpillar of

an insect or the tadpole of a frog.
Loral. Pertaining to the space in front of the eye ; see anteoi'bital,

also figure 9.

Marginals. See figure 11.

• 190

Maxillary. A bone of the upper jaw lying behind the premaxillary of
each side, usually bearing the outermost row of teeth ; missing in
Siren and Necturus.

Metamorphosis. Transformation ; change from tadpole to adult form.

Nuchal Plate. See figure 11.

Occipital. Belonging to the hinder part of the head. See figure 9.

OcELLATED, Fumished with eye-like spots, spots consisting of concen-
tric rings.

Olive. Brownish or yellowish green.

Opisthoccelous. Said of vertebrae which are concave at the hinder
end and convex at the anterior end.

■Oviparous. Producing young from eggs that hatch after deposition.

Ovoposition. The laying of eggs.

OvoviviPAROus. Producing young from eggs which hatch before being
laid.

Palatine. A bone of the roof of the mouth lying behind the vomer
on each side.

Palatopterygoid. The united palatine and pterygoid.

Papilla. Minute folds or elevations of the skin or mucous membrane.

Parasphenoid. a broad bone underlying the brain-case; parasphe-
noidal teeth are found in the hinder part of the roof of the mouth.

Paratoid. Belonging to the region found at the hinder lateral part of
the head ; paratoid glands of toads are elevated glandular bodies at
the sides of the back part of the head.

Pectorals (of tortoises). See figure 12.

Plnnate. Arranged along the sides of a central axis like the vane of a
feather.

Plastron. The lower portion of the shell of a tortoise.

Pleurodont. With the teeth grown fast to the inner side of the bone
of the jaw.

PosT-FRONTALS. See figure 9.

Prefrontals. See figure 9.

Premaxillary. The bone forming that part of the upper jaw immedi-
ately at the snout. The two premaxillaries are sometimes united.

Proccelous. Said of vertebrae which have the anterior end concave, the
hinder convex.

Pterygoid. A bone of the roof of the mouth lying on each side imme-
diately behind the palatine.

^Quadrate. The bone on each side to which the lower jaw of batrach-
ians and reptiles is swung.

JRostkal. The epidermal plate covering the snout of snakes and lizards.
See figure 9.

191

HcuTE. A large epidermal scale.

Septum. A dividing wall, as that between the nasal passages.

Snout. The portion cf the head in front of the eyes.

Splenial. a bone at the hinder and inner part of the lower jaw ; oc-
casionally bearing teeth.

Squamosal. A bone usually overlying the inner ear ; in snakes attached
to the hinder portion of the skull and supporting the quadrate.

SuBCAUDALS. The large scales on the underside of the tail of a snake.

SuPERCiLiARiES. The plates over the eye of a snake. See figure 9.

Supraorbitals. Same as superciliaries.

Symphysis. The union of two bones of opposite sides, in the middle
line, and with little or no motion.

Tail. Portion of the body behind the vent.

Temporal arch. A bony bar from the upper jaw to the quadrate, over-
lying the temporal muscle ; found in some tortoises.
Terete. Cylindrical and tapering.

Urostyle. The rod-like posterior termination of the s^^inal column of
frogs.

Ve»t. The opening outwardly of the cloaca.

Ventral plates. The epidermal plates on the belly of snakes, etc.

Vertebral scutes. The median row of plates on the back of a tortoise.

See figure 11.
Vertical. See figure 9.
ViLLiFORM. Having the form or appearance of villi ; like the pile of

velvet.
ViTTA. A stripe.
Vomer. A bone lying in the roof of the mouth just behind the premax-

iliary. One on each side of batrachia and reptiles.
Vomero-palatine. The united vomer and palatine.

List of publications referred to in this work, together with the numbers
hj which they are cited.

1. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.

2. Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.

S. Proceedings of the U. S. National Museum, Washington, D. C.
4-. Agassiz's Contributions to the Natural History of the United
States. 1857.

5. Wilkes' United States Exploring Expedition : Herpetology. 1858.

6. Baird and Girard's Serpents of North America. 1853.

7. Popular Science Monthly.

192

8. Bulletins of the U. S. Geological and Geographical Survey.

10. Yarrow's Check-list of N. A. Reptilia and Batrachia. 1882.

12. Cope's Check-list of ?s^. A. Batrachia and Reptilia. 1875.

13. Samuel Garman's Serpents of North America. 1883.
IJf. Long's Expedition to the Rocky Mountains. 1823.

18. Reptiles and Amphibians of Ohio. Dr. W. H. Smith in Geolog-

ical Survey of Ohio for 1882.

19. Wheeler's Survey West of 100th Meridian. Vol. V, 1878.

20. Reports on the Pacific Railroad Survey. Vol. X, 1859 ; VoL

XII, 1860.
22. American Naturalist.

25. Catalogue of the Shield Reptiles of the British Museum, 1855 ;

Supplement, 1870; and Appendix, 1872. Dr. John Edward
Gray.

26. Catalogue of the Colu brine Snakes of the British Museum. Dr. A»

Giinther. 1858.

27. Catalogue of Batrachia Salientia of the British Museum. Dr. G.

A. Boulenger. 1882.

28. Catalogue of Batrachia Gradientia of the British Museum. G. A.

Boulenger. 1882.

29. Catalogue of the Lizards of the British Museum. G. A. Boulenger.

'Vols. I and II, 1885; Vol. Ill, 1887.

30. Fauna of New York, J. E. DeKay. 1842.
33. Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge.

3^. Proceedings of the American Association for the Advancement
of Science.

36. Transactions of the American Philosophical Society.

37. Marcy's Exploration of the Red River Valley, 1854.

39. Medical and Physical Researches. Dr. Richard Harlan. 1835.

^0. B. S. Barton's Letter on Siren lacertina. 1821.

4-1. Schneider's Historia Amphibiorum. 1799.

4^. Bulletins of the Essex Institute.

43. Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History.

47. American Journal of Science and Arts.

48. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. New

York.

49. Bulletin of the Washburn College Laboratory of Natural History.

50. Science, a Weekly Newspaper of all the Arts and Sciences. New

York.

51. Batrachia of North America. Dr. E. D. Cope. 1889.

62. Fisheries Industries of the United States. Washington, D. C.

1884.
53. Holbrook's Reptiles of North America. Edition of 1838.
64. Holbrook's Reptiles of North America. Edition of 1842.

193

57. Latreille's Histoire Naturelle des Reptiles. 1802.

58. Stover's Report on the Reptiles of Massachusetts. 1809.

59. Peunant's Arctic Zoology. 1792.

60. Catalogue of the Batrachia of the British Museum. Dr. A.

Giinther. 1858.

61. Bulletins of the Illinois Laboratory of Natural History.

62. Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York.

63. Reise in das lunere Nord America, von Maximillian Prinz zu

Wied. 1839 and 1841,

6^. Linnaeus' Systema Naturae. Edition X, 1758 ; edition XII, 1766.

66. Der Naturforscher.

67. Manual of Vertebrates of the Eastern United States. Dr. D. S.

Jordan. Ed. v, 1888.

68. Daudin's Histoire Naturelle des Rainettes, etc. 1803.

69. Daudin's Histoire Naturelle des Reptiles. 1803.

71. Shaw' s General Zoology. London. 1802.

72. D'Orbigny's Dictionaire d' Histoire Naturelle. 1843.

73. Zoological Miscellany. 1842.

74-' Dumeril & Bibron's Erpetologie Generale. 1834 to 1854.

75. Natiirliches System der Amphibien. J. Wagler. 1830.

77. Isis von Oken. Erster Band, 1822.

79. Preliminary Catalogue of the Amphibia and Reptilia of Indiana.

O. P. Hay, 1887, in No. 94.

80. American Monthly Magazine.

82. Fitzinger's Systema Reptilium. 1843.

83. Archiv fiir Naturgeschichte.

84- Catalogue of Chelonians in the British Museum. Dr. G. A. Bou-
lenger. 1889.

85. Annals du Museum de Paris.

86. Memoires du Museum d' Histoire Naturelle de Paris.

87. Schneider's Schildkrote. 1783.

88. Schweigger's Prodromus Monographise Chelonorum. 1814.

90. Spix' Species Novse Testudinum, etc. 1824.

91. J. E. Gray's Catalogue of Tortoises. 1844.

92. Tableau Encyclopedique et Methodique Erpetologie. Paris. 1789.

93. Reports of the Geological Survey of Indiana.

94-. Journal of the Cincinnati Society of Natural History.

95. Amcenitates Academicse Linnsei.

96. Wagler's Tentamen Systematis Amphibiorum. 1820.

97. DeBlainville's Journal de Physique.

98. Smith's Correspondence of Linnaeus. 1821.

99. Tschudi's Classification der Batrachier. 1838.

100. Agassiz' Nomina Systematica Generum Reptilium. 1848.

101. Annals and Magazine of Natural History. London.
13

194

102. Contributions to Maclurean Lyceum.

lOS. Maximillian von Wied's Verzeichniss der Reptilien. 1865,

104- Tijdschrift voor Katuurlijke Geschiedenis en Physiologic.

105. Gravenhorst's Uebersicht der Zoologiscben Systeme. Gottingen,

1807.

106. Siebold's Fauna Japonica. 1838.

107. Atlantic Journal.

108. Rafinesque's Annals of Nature. 1820.

109. Lauren ti's Synopsis Reptilium. 1768.

110. Zoological Journal.

112. J. E. Gray's Synopsis Reptilium. 1831.

113. Dumeril's Catalogue Methodique des Reptiles. 1851.
114.. Annals of Philosophy.

115. Fleming's Philosophy of Zoology. Edinburgh, 1822.

116. Bonaparte's Osservazione sulla sec. Ed. del Regne Animale. 1830.

119. Dumeril's Zoologie Analytique. 1806.

120. Schriften der Gesellschaft Naturforschender Freunde. Berlin.
122. Studies from the Biological Laboratory of Johns Hopkins Univer-
sity.

12s. Gmelin's Systema Naturse. 1789.

12J/.. Cuvier's Regne Animal.

PLATES AND DESCRIPTION.

196

PLATE I.

Figures all four times the natural size.

Figure 1. Open mouth of Ambystoma microstomum.

Figure 2. Open mouth of Pleihodon glutinosus. V. L, the vomerine teeth ; p. L, the
parasphenoidal bands of teeth. Above the vomerine bands are seen
the choanse.

Figure 3. Open mouth of Spelerpes longicaudus, showing the vomerine and parasphe-
noidel teeth and the tongue.

Figure 4. Koof of the mouth of Spelerpes maeulicauduR ; v., the hook-ehaped bands
of vomerine teeth ; p., the parasphenoidal bands.

Figure 5. Open mouth of Desmognathus fusca; eh., the choanse; v., the vomerine
teeth; p., the parasphenoidal teeth ; L, the tongue. '

Figure 6. Open mouth of Diemyctylus viridescens, showing the two rows of vome-
rine teeth arranged in /\-form.

PLATE I.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 5.

Fig. 6.

198

PLATE II.

Figures all twice the natural size.

Figure 7. Sternum and shoulder-girdle of the Frog, Rana. Os., omosternum ;

St., eternum ; cr., coracoid ; cL, clavicle ; ec, epicoracoid ; sc, scapula ;

h., humerus.
Figure 8. Sternum and shoulder-girdle of Toad, Bufo. Letters with the same

significance as in Fig. 7.
Figure 9. Upper view of head of Black-racer, Bascanion constrictor.
Figure 10. Side view of same head. Numerals with same significance in both

figures. 1, vertical plate; 2, occipital plates; 3, superciliaries ; 4,

the postfrontals ; 5, the prefrontals ; 6, the anteorbitals ; 7, the loral ;

8, the postorbitals ; 9, the rostral ; 10, the upper and lower labials ;

11, the temporal; 12, the nasals.

Fig. 7

fig. 10.

200

PLATE III.

Figure 11. Carapace of Chrysemys marginata ; d., the neural epidermal plates; c,
the costals; m., the marginals; n., the nuchal. Natural Hize.

Figure 12. Plastron of Chrysemys marginata; g., the gular plates; h., the humerals;
p., the pectorals ; a,, the abdominals; /., the femorals ; a?i., the anals.
Natural size.

PLATE III.

x:

S

^

4

^

^

X

Fi^. 11.

Fig. 13.

14

I IsTIDEX

Page

Abastor 179

A. erythrogrammus . . . . 179

Acris 53

A. gryllus 53

A. gryllus crepitans . . 54

Agkistrodon 123

A. cuntortrix 123

A. piscivorus 184

Alleghany black-snake . 93
Allegh;iny salamander . 15

Alligator lizard 132

Alligator snapping tartle . 151

Ambystoma 17

A. copeianum 26

A. jeffersonianum ..... 22

A. laicrostomum 19

A. opacum 29

A. punctatum . 27

A. talpoideuin 174

A. tigrinum 23

A. xiphias 174

Ambystomatidse 17

Amphiuma 12

A. means _ 13

Amphiumida3. 12

Anguidaj 134

Appendix ... ... 174

Aromochelys 153

A. carinata 185

A. odnrata 153

Ashy salamander 33

Bascaioon . .... 81

B. constrictor . .... 81

Black-racer .81

Black-snake 81

Blanding's tortoise . . . 170

Blue-racer 81

Blue-tailed lizard .... 14il

Box-tortoise. ..... .172

Bronzy salamander .... 175

Brown-baeked lizard . . . 139

Brown snake 180

Brown triton 43

Bufo 49

B. lentiginosus 50

Bufonidas 49

BuU-.snake, Eastern . . . 183
Bull-snake, Western . . 183

Cambridge frog 178

Carolina tree-frog .... 177
Carphophis 78

C. amcena ........ 78

C; vermis 178

Chameleon tree-frog . . 56

Cheokereil snake 79

Chelonia 142

Chelydra 14S

C. serpentina 149

Chelydrida3 148

Chicken-snake ..... 107

Chorophilus 61

C. nigritus 61

C. nig. feriarum .... 62

Page.

C nig. triseriatus 62

Chrysemys 156

C. belli 18".

C. concinna 159

C.elpgans , . , 161

C. hieroglyphica 153

C. labyrinthica 158

C. marginata 163

C. picta 185

C. troostii 160

Cistuda 171

C. Carolina 172

C. ornata 187

Clemmys 168

0. guttata 168

Cnemidophorus 137

C. sexlineatus. 137

Coluber 90

C. guttatus ....••.. 92

C.obsoletus 93

C vulpinus 90

Colubridae 76

Congo snake 13

Cope's salamander 26

Copperhead 123

Coral snake 121

Cotton mouth 184

Cricket frog 53

Crotalidse 122

Crotalus 128

C. horridus 128

Cryptobranchidas . . . . 15
Cryptobranchus 15

C. alleganiensis 15

Oyclophis 85

C vernalis 85

Dekay's snake 88

Desmognathinffi . . . . 42
Desmognathus 42

D. fusca 43

Diadophis 8t

D. pancfatus 84

Diamond water-snake . , 101
Diemyctylus ....... 45

D. viridescens 45

East ra mud-turtle .... 154

Elapidse 121

Klaps 121

E. fulvius 121

Wmydoidea 170

E. bland ngii 170

Eumeces 139

HI. fasciatus 140

Eut:iinia 112

K. butlerii 120

E. radix 115

E. snurita 113

B. sirtalis 117

Farancia 79

F. abacura 79

Florida water-snake . 181
F"our-toed salamander . . 32
Fox-snake 90 1

. Page7

(4arter-8nake lib

Geographic terrapin . . .I'M

Glass-snake .131

Graham's water-snake . 189

(jreen frog 66

Green iriton in

Ground-snake. . . . . 7b

Uyrinophilus 176*

G. porphyriticus 17o

Haldea. , 18o

H. striatula 186

Hellbender 12

Hemidactylium 3^

H. scutatum 32

Heterodon 102

H. platirhinos 106

H. simus 107

Hieroglyphic terrapin . .152

HoK-nosed snake 10

Hoi brook's triton 17^

Hoosier frog. ... .68

Hoosier salamander. . . 3^

Horn-snake 7^

House-snake 107

Hyla 55

H. carolinensis 17^

H. pickeringii 5^

H. Vtjrsicolor 5^

H. squirella 5^

Hylidaj 52

Iguanidaj 1.3i

.Jefferson's salamander . . 22

Joint-snake. 13^

Keeled mud-turtle .... 185

Kins-snake llO

Kinosternidse 152

Kiaosteroon 154

K. pennsylvanicum. . . . 1.54

Lacertilia 131

Leather-snake 96

Leopard frog 65

Lesueur's map-tortoise . . 165

Lizards . 131

Long-tailed triton .... 38

Lygosoma . 138

L. laterale 1.39

Macroclemys . . ... 151

M. temminckii 151

Malaclemys 164

M. geographica . 166

M. pseudogeographica . . 165
Marbled salamander ... 29

Massasauga , 126

Map terrapin 166

Milk-snake 107

Moccasin 184

Mole salamander . . . . 174

Mud-eel 8

Musk turtle 153

Natrix 95

N. cyclopion 181

N. grahamii 181

N. kirtlandi 97

204

Page.

Natrix leberis 96

N.rhombifera 101

N.rigida 180

N. sipedon 98

Neat terrapin 159

Necturus 10

N. maeulatus 10

Newt 45

Northern frog ... . . 177

Opbibolus ... 107

0. calligaster 182

0. doliatus 107

0. dol. triangulus . . . 108

0. dol. syspilus 108

U.geti'lus ... ... 110

Ophidia 75

Ophisaurus 134

0. ventralis 134

Ornate box-tortoise . . . .187
Painted tortoise, Eastern . 185
Pain ted tortoise, Western . 163

Phyllophilophis 86

H.sestivus 87

Pickering's tree-frog ... 58

Pine snake 183

Pine-tree lizard 132

Pituophis 182

P. melanoleucus 183

*. sayi 183

Plethodon 33

P. seneus ...... . . 175

P. cinereus 33

P. glutinosus 36

Plethodontidse 31

ProteidiB 10

Racine garter-snake . . . 115

Rana ... 64

R. areolata circulosa ■ 68
R. cantabrigensis . . . 178
Rana catesbiana .... 70

K. clanoata 69

R. palustris 67

Page.

R. pipiens 65

R. septentrionalis .... 177

R. sylvatica 71

Ranidae 64

Rattlesnake, Banded . . 128
Rattlesnake, Prairie . . . 126
Red-backed salamander . 33
Ked-headed lizard . . . .140

Red- lined snake 179

Hedtriton 175

Reptiles 74

Ribbon-snake 113

Ring-necked snake .... 84

Salamandridaj 44

rialientia . . 48

Salmon triton 175

Sand- viper 105

Scaly salamander 32

Seeloporus 132

S. undulatus 132

Scincid* 138

Siren 8

S.lacertina 8

Sirenidffi 8

Sistrurus 125

S.catenatus 126

Spotted salamander ... 27

Si.x- lined lizard 137

Slimy salamander .... 36
Small-mouthed sal'mand'r 19
Smooth green-snake ... 85

Snakes 75

.">uapiiing turtle 149

Soft-shelled turtle, Agas-

siz's 144

Soft-shelled turtle, spine-
less 143

Soft-.^helled turtle, spiny . 146
Speckled tortoise . . 168

Speierpes 37

S. bislineatus 40

S. guttolineatus 176

Page .

S. longicaudus 38

S. maculicaudus 39

S. ruber 175

Spotted coluber 92

Spreading viper 102

Squirrel tree-frog 58

StiflF-snake 180

Storeria 88

S. dekayi 88

S. occipitomaculata. ... 89

Storer's snake 89

Streaked snake 184

Swamp frog 67

Sword-tailed salamander. 174

Teiidte 136

lestudinata 148

Testudinidse 155

Tiger salamander 23

Toad 50

Tortoises 142

Triouychidfe 142

Trionyehoidea 142

Trionyx 143

T. agassizii 144

T. muticus 143

T. spiniferus 146

Tropidoclonium 183

T. lineatum 184

Turtles 142

Two-lined triton . . 40

Urodela 6

Valeria's snake 179

Virginia . . 80

V elegans 80

V. Valeria; . . 179

Virginia's snake 80

\V:iter-moceasin 184

Water-snake 98

Wood-frog 71

Worm-snake 178

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