‘a | GUIDE |. } 645.2 [THE EXHIBITION | C57 | OF | 1923 BIANS and REPTILES REPT INNATI SOCIETY OF NATURAL einige Cincinty 5 Society of } Ory Cal “inl . -_— at cee oe. e* ( AD Se DING i Lt > $ Jaws of Rattlesnake FF, Poison Fangs; G, Gland secreting poison; C, Canal leading from gland to base of fang; T, Tongue; S, Salivary glands. Compiled By THE JUNIOR SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCES VE Mt SAN jon ay ad 4° Pl a4 “ wo as : ' Aa . : md > 7 4 Ln? 0% - . j Se pee Be eg ' if oem go" A a AP wel Z . UifiCi fiat: Soe ry rh " , “ Ay ey der 5 he exhibition P>* an | INTRODUCTION Herpetology (from a Greek word meaning ‘to creep’) is a science which deals with two classes of cold-blooded vertebrates, the Amphibians and the Reptiles. The first class contains the frogs, tcads, . salamanders, and certain worm-like forms constitu- ting a group called the Caecilians. The second, Reptiles, contains the turtles, snakes, lizards, croc- idilians, and Rhynchocephalians. The key does not take the Caecilians into consideration. KEY to CLASSES and ORDERS A. Skin without scales; young usually under- going a metamorphosis. Amphibia. a. A tail present in adult stage. Order Caudata- the Salamanders. aa. Tail absent in adult; hind legs modified for jumping. Order Salentia- the Frogs and Toads. AA. Skin with scales; young similar to parents when born. Reptilia. a. Anal opening transverse. b. Copulatory organs absent. Order Rhynchocephalia. bb. Copulatory organs present. Order Squamata-Snakes and Lizards. (These may be told apart by the absence of external ear-opening and eyelids in the former and presence of them in latter). BY j j OM aa. Anal opening longitudinal or round. c. Body covered with a heavy bony shield or car- apace; no teeth; jaws covered with horny shields. Order Testudinata -- the Turtles. cc. Body covered with horny, epidermic plates; jaws furnished with teeth; no bony carapace. Order Loricata -- the Crocodilians. The reptiles are very widely distributed, being found in all temperate and tropical portions of the world. The distribution of the Amphibians takes in about the same territory, but the salamanders reach their maximum development in temperate re- gions. It is not within the province of this pamphlet to give a general account of the reptiles and amphibi- ans. Such accounts may be had from the works cited in the bibliography appended. Herpetological Collections of the Cincinnati Society of Natural History. The main collection of this department was made between the years 1870 and 1905. This collect- ion was built up by Mr. Charles Dury and Professor Joshua Lindahl. Professor R. E. Call and Professor H. Garman also made valuable contributions. The greater part of this collection was destroyed through neglect, and most of the specimens of reptiles and amphibians now in the collection have been present- ed or collected bythe Junior Society of Natural Sciences. The collection now contains 3100 spec- imens, representing 142 species of North American reptiles and amphibians, besides many foreign spec- ies. Literature. The library of the Cincinnati Society of Natural History contains as fine a collection of books on herpetology as exists anywhere in the middle west. In the “Journal of the Cincinnati Society of Natural History’, the “American Journal of Arts and Sci- ences’, the “Proceedings of the United States National Museum,” the “Proceedings of the Junior Society of Natural Sciences’, and elsewhere, will be found papers dealing with the C.S.N.H. col- lection of Herpetology. AMPHIBIA (Class). CAUDATA (Order). The order Caudata comprises the salamanders, Amphibians which possess the tail throughout life and undergo a more or less complete metamor- phosis. These animals are little known except to the special student, and the popular mind groups them all under the headings “Mud Puppy’, “Water- | dog’’, or “Spring Lizard”. Nevertheless, in North America alone 85 forms occur. These are di- vided into three suborders. The first of these, the PROTEIDA, contains the well-known Mud-puppy of the eastern U.S. and also theblind Proteus of the caves at Carnicla. The members of this suborder retain the gills throughout life. The suborder MUTABILIA, comprises all the true salamanders and contains 81 of the 85 forms inhabiting North America. The adults of this suborder lose the gills when at- taining maturity. Two blind forms (Typhlomolge and Typhlotriton) of caves and artesian wells of the West, also belong to the Mutabilia. The last suborder of North American Caudata is MEANTES, comprising two forms, the peculiar Siren of the muddy ditches of the Southeastern U. S., and the equally interesting Pseudobranchus striatus of the swamps of Scuth Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. This suborder differs in various points of anatomy from the two preceding. PROTEIDA (Suborder). NECTURIDAE (Family). Necturus (Genus). 1. Necturus maculosus (Rafinesque). MUD- PUPPY. The Mud-puppy is an entirely aquatic, noc- turnal species. Its large size, coupled with the fact that it retains its gills throughout life, makes it unique among North American salamanders. It lays its eggs in “nests”, which are usually shal- low excavations beneath a sheltering stone or plank in the clear waters of the large streams which it inhabits. The female guards the young. This species sometimes attains a length of 17 inches. MUTABILIA (Suborder). AMPHIUMIDAE (Family). Amphiuma (Genus). 2. Amphiuma means Garden. CONGO EEL. Found from Virginia to Florida, west to Louis- iana. Inhabits swampy situations. The eggs of this salamander are not laid singly, but are at- tached by jelly-like cords. CRYPTOBRANCHIDAE (Family). Cryptobranchus (Genus). 3. Cryptobranchus alleganiensis (Daudin). HELLBENDER. This form reaches a greater size than any other - North American salamander; it has been known to attain a length of two feet. It isan exceedingly voracious animal. SALAMANDRIDAE (Family). Triturus (Genus). 4. Triturus viridiscens viridiscens (Rafinesque). COMMON NEWT. Appears in two forms; one, aquatic, is olive green with black specks and black-edged red spots; the other, terrestrial, is red, with the black-edged red spots, but with black specks absent from back. 5. Triturus viridiscens dorsalis (Harlan). GARMAN’S NEWT. Smaller and more slender than preceding, with a dorsolateral line of red (white in spirits): darker in color. Coastal region of North Carolina. AMBYSTOMIDAE (Family). Ambystoma (Genus). 6. Ambystoma maculatum (Shaw). SPOTTED SALAMANDER. A terrestrial species. Found from Nova Scotia west to Wisconsin, southward to Georgia and Texas. 7. Ambystoma texanum (Matthes). SMALL-MOUTHED SALAMANDER. Similar to preceding in habitat. Found at Cincinnati. 8. Ambystoma opacum (Gravenhorst). MARBLED SALAMANDER. Inhabits drier situations than most salaman- ders. 9. Ambystoma talpoideum (Holbrock). TADPOLE SALAMANDER. This form is an inhabitant of both moist and dry situations. Taken in company with opacum (Hendersonville N. C.). PLETHODONTIDAE (Family). Desmognathus (Genus). 10. Desmognathus quadra-maculatus (Holbrock). BLACK TRITON. This interesting form snaps fiercely when seized, but cannot pierce the skin with its exceed- ingly minute teeth. Avery active, aquatic species. Desmognathus tuscus fuscus (Rafinesque). DUSKY SALAMANDER. Perhaps the commonest species of the Pleth- odontidae; the food consists of insects, arachnids, earthworms, molluscs, and isopods. 12. Desmognathus fuscus carolinensis (Dunn). CAROLINA TRITON. A terrestrial species, inhabiting rotten logs. Reaches an altitude of over 6000 ft. in Smokies. 13. Desmognathus fuscus imitator Dunn. IMITATING TRITON. Found in company with preceding in Smokies; has been taken in act of eating lepidcpterous larva and a snail, (Zonites sp.). Received its name from its close resemblance in color to Plethedon jordani of the same region. Known from the Great Smoky Mountains. Plethodon (Genus). 14. Plethodon glutinosus (Green). SLIMY SALAMANDER. An extremely common terrestrial species. 15. Plethodon jordani Blatchley. RED-CHEEKED SALAMANDER. Common in the forests of the Smokies, 4400- 6000 ft. Food habits similar to those of D. fuscus imitator. 16. Plethodon cinereus (Green). ASHY SALAMANDER; RED-BACKED SALA- MANDER. This species is said to progress by leaping when excited. If angered or frightened, it will. cast its tail; a new caudal appendage soon appears. 17. Plethodon metcalii Brimley. UNSPOTTED SALAMANDER. Inhabits the mountains of the Southeastern U. S., burrowing in the ground under logs, stones, etc. Pseudotriton (Genus). 18. Pseudotriton ruber ruber (Sonnini). RED SALAMANDER. This species is usually found in springs. In ad- dition to the usual insect and other invertebrate food, ruber has been found to eat other salaman- ders, and also frogs. Eurycea (Genus). } 19. Eurycea bislineata bislineata (Green). TWO-LINED SALAMANDER. A much more aquatic form than longicauda or guttolineata, or its near relative wilderae. The Two-lined salamander is also known to be some- what cannibalistic in feeding habits. 20. Eurycea bislineata wilderae Dunn. MOUNTAIN TWO-LINED SALAMANDER. A terrestrial species; is taken in the Smokies in com- pany with Plethodon jordani, Desmognathus fus- cus carolinensis, D. f. imitator, etc. Also inhabits springs. 21. Eurycea longicauda (Green). LONG-TAILED SALAMANDER. An inhabitant of caves, but often found elsewhere in damp situations. 22. Eurycea guttolineata (Holbrook). HOLBROOK’S TRITON. Found in the Southeastern U. S._ It is a terrestrial species, inhabiting rather dry situations. Is most active atnight. Reaches an altitude of over 2000 feet in the mountains of North Carolina. SALIENTIA (Order) INTRODUCTION TO SALIENTIA. The Salientia, or leaping Amphibians, differ from the Caudata in the fact that the adults lack atail. There are several suborders of this group recognized, but for practical purposes it may be divided into two groups (Superfamilies) each con- taining a number of smaller groups or families, each of which is descended from a common ances- tor. The two major groups are: 1. ARCIFERA. Two halves of shoulder girdle (coracoids and precoracoids) overlap in front so that the chest is capable of expansion. This group contains the toads, some of the tree frogs, and other families. One family, the Discoglossidae (of which the only North Ameri- can representative is Ascaphus truei) , is considered to represent a separate suborder (Linguata), .ap- proaching the salamanders in the possession of ribs and other detailed characters of the skeleton. 2. FIRMISTERNIA. Two halves of shoul- der girdle meet in front and unite (coracoids and epicorocoid cartilage), so that the chest is not capa- ble of expansion. Includes the frogs and the Engystomids in North America. The skin of the various Salentia secretes poi- son, which is useful as a protection against ene- mies. The frogs and toads are extremely useful ani- mals as they destroy an enormous amount of nox- ious insects. Salientia have a world wide distribu- tion. Thereare many species, of which 75 inhabit “UINJe/NIeU BUlOYsAquiy ‘1apueUIEles jo jUIUIdOJeAeq UI S2BeIG 6-2 | ‘ds euey ‘8017 jo yusuidojaaag ul 8238S 9-| SNVIGIHdNV JO LNAWdOTSIAAG REMARKABLE SALAMANDERS OF THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES 1. Siren 2. Hellbender 3. Congo "eel” 4. Mud puppy N. America. The development of Salientia is varied to a wonderful degree; many species undergo their metamorphosis in water after the manner of most of our North American species, but an equal number metamorphose in strange and _ var- ied manners; one South American species (Pipa americana) passes the larval or tadpole stage in small cavities in the back of the mother. LINGUATA (Suborder) SCAPHIOPODIDAE (Family) 23 Scaphiopus (Genus) ‘22. Scaphiopus holbrookii holbrookii (Harlan) This curious and interesting species leads a bur- rowing life. Dickerson, in the “Frog Book”, gives the following interesting account of this form: ret strange weird-looking creature is the Hermit Spade- foot when he is turned out of his ground burrow. At first sight helooks like asmall brown ball of earth, but almost immediately air is expellea from the lungs, so that the inflated sides collapse, and two elevations rise at the smaller end and become two round staring eyes of so brilliant a gold that they seem out of place in such a dusky surround- ing. Awkward hands are lifted one at a time and rubbed over the eyes. The Spadefoot, now quite awake and alert, begins trying to escape. He does not stealthily creep away as do many of the toads; he does not startle one with a pro- digious leap, as do the frogs and treefrogs. He be- gins sinking out of sight into the soft earth, and in less time than it takes to tell i:, has wholly dis- appeared from view. The Hermit Spadefcot is not well known. It burrows in the ground and sleeps days or weeks atatime. A gravedigger once found one 3 ft. 4 inches from the surface of the ground, with no evi- dence of entrance to or exit from the burrow. The Spadefoot is seldom found in gardens or orchards; but it is certainly true that if a Spadefoot Toad were turned out of its burrow by the plow, the cas- ual observer would not give it a second glance, be- cause it looks so much like an ordinary dingy brown toad, unless one sees its eyes”. The Spadefoot, besides being solitary, is entire- ly nocturnal in habit. In the breeding season, the Spadefoots are far from inconspicuous. They congregate by the hun- dreds in ponds in the spring for the purpose of de- positing eggs, and during this time they make the night hideous with their raucuous cries. BUFONIDAE (Family) Bufo (Genus) 24. Bufo americanus Holbrook. AMERICAN TOAD. This is the common toad of the region east of the Rocky Mountains from Mexico to Great Bear Lake. It shares the Southern States with Bufo terrestris, and New York and New England. with Bufo fowleri. This species sometimes felgns. death | when frightened. Miro Sobor s hdbhe 25. Bufo punctatus Baird and Girard’ SPOTTED TOAD. This handsome species is a denizen of the Western States - Texas, Arizona and Lower Cali- fornia. Its life history and habits are not well known, but it is said to live in burrows. HYLIDAE (Family) Acris (Genus) 26. Acris gryllus (LeConte). CRICKET-FROG. This species is perhaps the most active of our small tree frogs. It inhabits the eastern U. S., liv- ing on the ground in damp situations. Hyla (Genus). 27. Hyla crucifer Wied. SPRING-PEEPER. This is the smallest representative of the genus in North America. It inhabits the Eastern United States and attains a maximum length of one and one-quarter inches. 28. Hula versicolor versicolor (LeConte). TREE TOAD. This strictly arboreal variety is at once one of the most interesting and one of the commonest of the Amphibia Salientia inhabiting the eastern U. S. It ranges west to Kansas. The colour of Hyla versicolor varies greatly at different times and under different conditions, ranging from white to stone-gray or brown with many intermediate shades. RANIDAE (Family) Rana (Genus) 29. Rana aesopus (Cope). GOPHER FROG. The Gopher Frog is known from Florida only. It is of very wary and secretive habits, and is rare in collections. | Except in the breeding season, when it frequents ponds and swamps, it inhabits the burrows of the Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), leading a solitary life. This frog is especially fond of toads as an article of diet. Ow- ing to the extraordinary development of its jaws, it can accomodate toads of surprisingly large size. 30. Rana catesbiana Shaw. BULL-FROG. These huge frogs are found throughout the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. They are usually less common than most other frogs, not only owing to their numerous natural enemies, but also to the fact that they are much desired as food by man. In the south they are secured by “gig- ging” or spearing. This is done at night; one of the hunters holds the frog immobile by shining a strong light, usually an electric torch, in its eye, while another member of the party impales the frog upon the “gig” or barbed spear. The bullfrog remains in the larval stage for a year, and the tadpoles reach a very large size. 31. Rana clamitans Latreille. GREEN-FROG. A handsome species, which shows a preference for springs and brooks. The cry of the Green Frog is peculiar and not unpleasing, and can be varie- gated from a scream suggesting a frightened bird to a low, musical “k-tun-n-ng”, this last uttered when the frog jumps into water. Common through- out Eastern North America, including Canada and Florida. 32. Rana pipiens Schreber. LEOPARD FROG. This is the most common frog of the United States east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It of- ten wanders far from its aquatic home and is thus more often encountered than any other frog. The Leopard Frog is among the first of our frogs to leave its hibernating quarters in the spring, congre- gating in the shallow waters of marsh, pond, lake and even temporary pools, in early March, for the purpose of depositing its eggs. 33. Rana sylvatica LeConte. WOOD FROG. Few frogs, either in North America or else- where, can vie with this species in beauty. Essen- tially a terrestrial form, the Wood Frog is found in aquatic situations only during its breeding season. At other times, it may be found wandering about the damp woods which form its home, or in some sheltered crevice in rock or decayed log. It is the first of our frogs to appear from its hibernating quarters in the spring, emerging from its bur- row in leaves and moss in February or early March. REPTILIA (Class) DIAPSIDA (Subclass) LORICATA (Order) The Crocodilians are carnivorous, fresh-water reptiles of large size. They are found only in tro- pical or semi-tropical regions. Their body is cov- ered with epidermic plates; underneath some of these are bony dermic scutes. Modern zoologists divide the Loricata into three genera, Croccdilus, Alligator, and Gavialis. The first two of these have representatives in American waters, (Croco- dilus acutus and Alligator mississipiensis) ; the last is found tn India, Borneo and N. Australia. The key will serve to separate these genera. KEY. A. Nasal bones form part of nasal aperture. a. Head is short and broad. Union of two rami of lower jaw does not extend beyond fifth tooth. Alligator. aa. Head longer and narrower. Union of rami of lower jaw does not extend beyond the eighth tooth. Crocodilus. AA. Nasal bones do not form part of nasal aper- ture. Gavialis. The members of the Loricata are very benefi- cial as scavengers; whether they cause any destruct- ion of human life is a question open to dispute. Certainly the damage they may do in this way is neglible. CROCODYLIDAE (Family). Alligator (Genus). 34. Alligator mississipiensis (Daudin). AMERICAN ALLIGATOR. Most people are more or less familiar with this reptile, which inhabits the swamps of the Southern United States, as far west as Texas, and as far north as North Carolina. The largest spec- imen known to Cope had a length of 14 feet. Ac- cording to the best authorities, this species will not attack man. The hide of the American Alligator is valuable commercially, and the species is fast becoming extinct, owing to the merciless and senseless slaughter by “sportsmen” and profession- al hunters. The Alligator is oviparous (for egg, see exhibit). RHYNCHOCEPHALIA (Order) HATTERIIDAE. (Family) The only living representative of this order of generalized reptiles is the Tuatera of New Zealand. This form is closer to certain fossil types (Palaeo- hatteria, Permian; Hyperodapedon, Triassic) than to any existing reptile. Sphenedon (Genus) 35. Sphenodon punctatus Gray. TUATERA. The few remaining individuals of this strange reptile are confined to a few small islands off the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. Owing to the persecution of man and to the num- ber of their natural enemies, the Tuateras will scon belong to the rapidly increasing list of animals which have inhabited this earth during our own era but which no longer exist. While it remains, the Tuatera is probably the most extraordinary an- imal on the face of the earth. Lizard-like in form, it is the closest to the birds of existing reptiles. Its nearest relatives are species of the Permian and Triassic ages, and it itself might well be called a living fossil. Perhaps even more interesting to anatomists than the generalized structure of Sphen- odon is the light which it throws on the former use of the pineal gland. Dissection of Sphenodon has shown that this structure is the vestige of a third eye. The pineal eye of the Tuatera is visible in young specimens as a light spot in the skin of the forehead; this is usually overlaid by pigment in the adult, but can sometimes be seen even in old spec- imens. The Tuatera lives in burrows, often in com- pany with the Puffin (Fratercula). It is held in superstitious awe by the natives but is nevertheless killed by them for food. The skeleton on exhibition is that of a young adult. SQUAMATA (Order). The order Squamata contains most of the existing species of Reptiles. It is divided into two suborders, the SAURIA (Lizards) and the SER- PENTES (Snakes). Lizards and snakes are most abundant and reach their greatest size in the trop- ical regions of the earth, but are very widely dis- tributed; the snakes are absent from many islands. Most lizards are terrestrial, but some are arboreal or semi-aquatic, and there is a single marine form. The only lizards which have been proved poison- ous are the two species of the mono-generic fami- ly Helodermatidae of the Southeastern U. S. and Mexico (Heloderma hcrridum and H. sus- pectum). Lizards generally possess limbs, but there are numerous gradations in the number and size of digits and some forms are limbless (Anguis, Ophisaurus) and some even worm-like (Rhineura of Florida). The snakes, while seemingly degenerate forms, are actually much more specialized than the Lizards from which they have arisen, The mus- cular and nervous systems are very highly organ- ized, and there are numerous remarkably peculiar- ities in the skeleton. The snakes progress by mo- tion of the anterior ventral scales, which are fixed against the irregularities of the surface upon which the reptiles moves; the ribs are drawn first from one side, then to another; the hind portion shoots forward, and the process is repeated. Considering the method of progress, the celerity and grace of locomotion shown by snakes is extraordinary. There are quite a few species of poisonous snakes- some are arboreal, but the deadliest are aquatic or terrestrial. However the good done by the thousands of harmless species in the destruction of insect and rodent pests far outweighs the trifling damage done by the poisonous forms. Numerous superstitions concerning snakes, such as “Snakes do not die till sundown” and the fabled power of a snake to charm or hypnotize birds or other ani- mals, have arisen. Needless to say, these are false, though some are based on misinterpretations of observed facts. Most members of the order Squamata are beneficial to man, and their needless slaughter is to be heartily condemned; they should be rigor- ously protected. The majority of Snakes and Lizards are ovipa- rous (see Guide Book Number 68 of exhibit for a typical snake egg). Some are ovoviviparous; the Natricine (Natrix, Thamnophis) and Crotaline TUATERA .- 35. Sphenodon punctatus Gray. Scalation of snake. A, Dorsal view of head, Thamnophis sp.; B, ventral view of head, Pituophis sp.; C, junction of body and tail; D, lateral view of head, Thamnophis ordinoides vagrans; E,Junction of body and tail; Charina bottae utahensis. 1, rostral; 2, internasal; 3, prefrontal; 4, frontal; 5, supra-ocular; 6, parietal; 7 and 8, first and second temporals; 9, symphyseal; 10, infra- labials; 11 and 12; anterior and posterior genials; 13, preocular; 14, postocular; 15, gastrostege; 16, anal plate; 17, urostege; 18, supralabials; 19, and 20, nasals; 21, loreal; 22, vestigal limbs. (Agkistrodon, Crotalus, Sistrurus), snakes of this country belong to that group. SAURIA (Suborder) Iguanidae (Family) Anolis (Genus) 36. Anolis carolinensis Voist. AMERICAN “CHAMELEON”. This form, common in the Southeastern U. S., is totally unrelated to the true Chameleons of the Old World, and should be called the “Anolis”. The color changes for which it is so widely known are not governed by the material upon which it is placed, but by temperature, humidity, and the mood of the animal. Ctenosaura (Genus). 37. Ctenosaura hemilopha Cope. SAN LUCAN SPINY-TAILED IGUANA. This large lizard is very common in parts of the southern portion of the Lower California Pen- insula, where it is found among rocks or in trees. It eats vegetable food by preference, but is said to eat crabs when other food is scarce. Its flesh is eaten by the natives, and its spiny tail is used by it as a means of defence. Crotaphytus (Genus) 38. Crotaphytus collaris (Say). COLLARED LIZARD. A handsome species, found from Arkansas south to middle Texas and west to Eastern New Mexico. Usually found in high altitudes, and is a very agile and graceful form. Entirely insectivo- rous. Sceloporus (Genus) 39. Sceloporus undulatus (Latreille). PINE SWIFT; FENCE LIZARD. Common in the Southeastern U. S. Occurs sparingly in Ohio and has recently been seen at Cincinnati. Is largely arboreal in its habits, and insectivorous in diet. The males are brownish, with a black-edged blue patch on throat and ab- domen; the females are grayish, barred with black, with no dark markings on abdomen. Phrynosoma (Genus) 40. Phrynosoma cornutum (Harlan). HORNED LIZARD. This is the “Horned Toad” of the pet stores. With other members of this western genus, it has the habit of occasionally squirting blood from the corner of the eye. It will not drink water from a dish or other receptacle, but absorbs it when sprin- kled on its skin. Ophisaurus (Genus) 41. Ophisaurus ventralis (Linne). GLASS SNAKE. This lizard inhabits the Southeastern U. S. and extends north to Michigan. The body is elongated and serpentine, with no traces of limbs. The tail, which forms about two-thirds of the total length, can be discarded at will, but this habit is shared by many other lizards, and this species is unusual only in being destitute of the limbs which are us- ually present in lizards. HELODERMATIDAE (Family) Heloderma (Genus) 42. Heloderma suspectum Cope. GILA MONSTER. This, with its Mexican relative, H. horridum Weig., is the only known poisonous lizard in the world. The teeth of the lower jaw are grooved, and each is connected with an efferent duct com- municating with a poison gland. The virulence of the poison is not as greai as that of the poison- ous snakes, but the animal can inflict a dangerous wound. In captivity, the Gila Monster is gentle and sluggish, and may be freely and unceremon- iously handled. Very little is known of its food or habits in Nature, but its method of eating in cap- tivity, which we have recently had the opportunity of observing, is very interesting. An egg is placed in a flat dish in the lizard’s cage. The Heloderma immediately approaches this receptacle and begins to lap up the egg with its fleshy tongue. __It continues doing this very quietly for about ten minutes. Then it lifts its head into the air until its snout is almost perpen- dicular to the body, and permits the egg to run down iis threat. The process is repeated until the dish isempty. The Gila Monster thrived for some time on this diet, but refused food when the cool weather set in. A short time before it died it was heard to give vent to a short cough on several oc- caisions. The cast exhibited was prepared by Charles Dury, noted entomologist and taxidermist. TEINDAE (Family) Cnemidophorus (Genus) 43. Cnemidophorus sexlineatus (Linne). SIX-LINED RACE-RUNNER. This Race Runner ranges from Florida to Maryland, west to Mexico, and north to Michigan. SCINCIDAE (Family) Eumeces (Genus) 44, Eumeces fasciatus (Linne). BLUE-TAILED LIZARD. SKINK. SCORPION. This, one of our most interesting eastern liz- ards, was formerly abundant at Cincinnati; speci- mens are still taken here. Eumeces fasciatus var- ies so much in color, scutellation, and proportions with age and sex, that it has been given over a dozen scientific names. The female incubates the eggs, lying curled laterally around them in a hol- low in a rotten log. The eggs are usually ten in number, and the young, when born, have tails of brilliant blue. This color is retained for several years. Specimens are often found with forked or | double tail, due to the lizard’s power to cast off and regenerate this organ at will. LEPOSTERNIDAE (Family) Rhineura (Genus) 45. Rhineura floridana (Baird) FLORIDA WORM LIZARD. This peculiar species, superficially resembling an earthworm, is confined to peninsular Florida. In life, the color is a lustrous pink. The worm lizard leads a subterranean life: very little is known of its habits. SERPENTES (Suborder) COLUBRIDAE (Family) Carphophis (Genus) 46. Carphophis amoena amoena (Say). WORM SNAKE. This diminutive, worm-like snake is common in timbered regions of the United States, from Con- necticut to Florida and west to Ohio, Illinois and Indiana. It inhabits the mouldy deposits of leaves and other decaying vegetation that cover the floor of the great deciduous forests of this region. It may also be unearthed by the plow, and is often found under the loose bark of decaying logs. Ow- ing to its secretive habits, it is seldom seen, even in regions where it is abundant. Farancia (Genus) 47. Farancia abacura (Holbrook). HORN SNAKE; MUD SNAKE. Though attaining a length of six feet, this handsome form is distinctly degenerate and is a- dapted for the subterraneous life which it leads. It is found in the swampy regions of the southeast- ern U. S., hiding under fallen timber or burrowing in the earth. Diadophis (Genus) 48. Diadophis punctatus punctatus (Linne). RING-NECKED SNAKE. This species, while small and secretive, is can- nibalistic. It also eats salamanders, small lizards and insects. Found in the Eastern U. S., in the southern lowlands from Florida to North Carolina. Heterodon (Genus) 49. Heterodon contortrix (Linne). HOG-NOSED SNAKE; SPREADING ADDER. Heterodon contortrix is one of the most inter- esting North American members of the Serpentes. It receives one of its common names from its re- curved rostral plate. The others heve arisen from its peculiar method of defense. When frightened, the Hognosed snake, if unable to escape from the object of its fright, attempts to intimidate its enemy. Taking a deep breath, which causes its short, stout body to greatly increase in size, it spreads the an- terior ribs laterally, thus flattening the head and neck until the width of the latter is trebled. The snake now presents a picture of ferocity equal to that presented by the deadly Cobre; an angry rat- tlesnake would appear quite harmless as compared to it if seen by an observer unacquainted with Her- petology. It then expells its breath with a loud and prolonged hiss, and may fc!!ow this by striking repeatedly at the object which has excited it. Yet ali this demonstration is a pure bluff. The Hog- nosed snake is a mild and inoffensive reptile and refuses to bite when given the opportunily. If the observer is not intimidated by its ferecious actions, the animal brings further defensive rescurces into play. li suddenly throws itself into contortions; these gradually become quieter, diminishing to a spasmodic wriggling cf the the tail and finally ceasing entirely. ‘The snake turns on its back, lies limp, and is, to all appearances, dead. It is very persistent in feigning death; even if handled, it re- mains limp and relaxed; yet it will always betrays itself under one conditien. If placed with its ven- tral surface next to the ground, it will instantly turn over on its back. It seems to think that the only possible position for a respectable snake to assume in death is that of belly upwards. Heteredon contortrix is commonly found in two phases; a normally colored form, and a melan- istic phase, entirely black. This last has been given the scientific appelation of niger, but differs from the typical contortrix in no respect save color, and occupies the same range. It is strictly ana- logous to the melanistic form of Plethodon ciner- eus. | Liopeltis (Genus) 50. Liopeltis vernalis (Harlan). SMOOTH GREEN SNAKE. This pretty species is almost entirely insecti- vorous and should be carefully protected. It is found in the Eastern United States, Canada south to Florida and west to Texas. Opheodrys (Genus) 51. Opheodrys aestivus (Linne). ROUGH GREEN SNAKE. The Rough Green Snake is arboreal in habits and is more southern in distribution than L. vernal- is. Like that form, it is insectivorous. It has a cur- ious habit, common among arboreal snakes of the Tropics, of protruding its tongue rigidly from its mouth, rather than vibrating it rapidly as do most snakes. Coluber (Genus) 52. Coluber consirictor constrictor (Linne). BLACK SNAKE. Despite its latin specific name, the Black Snake is not a constrictor. It is, however, canni- balistic, and has been known to eat Crotalid snakes. In common with many other snakes, Coluber con- strictor has the habit of rapidly vibrating the tip of the tail when disturbed. If it chances to be among dry leaves when this takes place, a rattling sound is produced which is strikingly sim- ilar to that made by the caudal appendage of Cro- talus. Masticophis (Genus) 53. Masticophis flagellum flagellum (Shaw). WHIP-SNAKE. Surprizingly little is known of the habits and life history of this common and widely - distribu- ted form, which receives its name from the resem- blance of the arrangement of its dorsal scales to a braided leather whip. It is known to be somewhat arboreal, and reaches a length of over eight feet. The food is composed of insects, small mammals, and other snakes. Needless to say, this species does not “whip” its enemies, as it is reputed to do in the Southern U. S. Elaphe (Genus) 54. Elaphe guttata (Linne). CORN SNAKE. One of the most handsome of North Amer- ican serpents, the Corn Snake is extremely ben- eficial to man, as are all members of Elaphe. It receives its name from the fact that it frequents corn-fields and granaries, attracted to these places by the abundance of harmful rodents, which form its main article of diet. 55. Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta (Say). PILOT BLACK-SNAKE. An arboreal species, reaching a length of 8 ft. Is very gentle in its demeanor to man and makes an excellent pet. Constricts its prey, as do other members of Elaphe. Common in the Alleghany Mountains. 56. Elaphe quadrivittata (Holbrook). CHICKEN SNAKE. The popular name is a misnomer, as the spe- cies, while it may occaisionally eat a young chick- en, feeds largely on rodents. Pituophis (Genus) 57. Pituophis mugitus (Barbour). FLORIDA PINE SNAKE. When annoyed, this Pine Snake, (as do other Pituophis) emits aloud and prolonged hiss. A powerful constrictor; is fond of eggs as an article of diet. Lampropeltis (Genus) 58. Lampropeltis elapsoides elapsoides (Holbr.) SCARLET KING SNAKE. This burrowing species is named from its ex- traordinary resemblance to the poisonous Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius), a species to’ which it is totally unrelated. 59. Lempropeltis getulus getulus (Linne). KING SNAKE. The King Snake is cannibalistic, and is well known through its ability to kill and eat the various poisonous snakes. Is immune to the poison of Crotaline snakes, and kills its prey by crushing it in its powerful coils. 60. Lampropeltis getulus floridana (Blanchuarn: ! FLORIDA KING SNAKE. The extreme southern representative of getu- lus. Reaches a greater size than the typical form. 61. Lampropeltis getulus nigra (Yarrow). BLACK KING SNAKE. Replaces getulus in Ohio. Natrix (Genus). 62. Natrix kirtlandi (Kennicott). KIRTLAND’S SNAKE. A small species which has taken up a partly terrestrial life. Common at Cincinnati, where it is known as the “Red-Bellied Snake”, a name applied to the species of Storeria in the East and to Abas- tor in the South. 63. Natrix septemvittata (Say). QUEEN SNAKE. Frequents the banks of small brooks.