AUTHOR’S EDITION. 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 
UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL SURVEY 
F. V HAYDEN, U. S. Geologist-in-Charge. 
NOTES 
ON THE 
HERPETOLOGY 
OF 
DAKOTA AND MONTANA. 
BY 
Drs. ELLIOTT COUES and H. 0. YARROW. 
EXTRACTED FROM THE BULLETIN OF THE SURVEY, Vol. IV, No. 1. 
Washington, February 5, 1878. ART. XI.—NOTES ON THE HERPETOLOGY OF DAKOTA 
AND MONTANA. 
Drs. Elliott Coues and H. C. Yarrow. 
The present article is based primarily upon a collection of Reptiles 
and Batrachians made in Dakota and Montana in 1873-74 by Dr. 
Coues, as Naturalist of the United States Northern Boundary Commis- 
sion. . 
In identifying these specimens, the authors have diligently compared 
them with other material from the same geographical area in the 
National Museum, and have added to the species collected by Dr. Coues 
others known to occur in the region under consideration, thus present- 
ing a tolerably complete list of the Reptiles and Batrachians of the 
two Territories. No species is introduced that is not fully identified 
and determined to inhabit this portion of the United States. Care has 
been taken with the synonymy to exclude doubtful references, except 
in one or two instances. The descriptions are drawn directly from the 
specimens, and considerable matter of popular interest has been intro- 
duced. The nomenclature and classification are mainly according to 
Professor Cope’s recent Check List, though the authors have not hesi- 
tated to difi'er from this authority on occasion. 
A.—REPTILIA. 
CIIELONIA. 
Family EMYDIDiE. 
Genus CHRYSEMYS. Gray. 
Chrysemys oregonensis. (Harlan) Ag, 
Emys oregonen8i8, Harl. Am. Jonrn. Sci. xxxi. 382, pi. 31.—Holbr. N. Am. Herpet. i. 
, 107, pi. 16.—DeKay, N. Y. Fn. iii. 1842, 20. 
Chrysemys oregonensis, Ag. Contr. Nat. Hist. U. S. i. 1857, 440, pi. 3, f. 1-3.—Bd. U. S. 
Mex. B. Surv. ii. pt. ii. 1859, Reptiles, 4 (Texas).—Allen, Proc. Bost. Soc. N. 
H. xvii. 1874, 68 (Fort Rice, Dakota). 
Oregon Golden Turtle. 
Specimen. 
1096. Mouse River, Dakota. Aug. 30, 1873. 
Shield Reptiles are not well represented in the region surveyed by 260 
BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 
the commission, where the present, the only one observed, appears to 
be the most characteristic species. Professor Agassiz notices speci- 
mens from different localities in Minnesota and from the Yellowstone, 
where it was also observed by the Prince Maximilian and Mr. J. A. 
Allen. The former naturalist expresses great doubts respecting the 
accuracy of Nuttall’s statement that it is found in Oregon, as it has 
never been seen in that Territory by any of the recent explorers, the 
only true Turtle of the Pacific slopes being the Chelopus marmoratus Bd. 
& Grd. (Emys nigra of Hallowed). It is, however, a species of wide 
distribution in the central region, having been observed southward 
nearly to the Mexican border in Texas. 
The following additional species of this order are indicated by authors 
as occurring on or near the northern boundary:— 
Genus PSEUDEMYS. Gray. 
Pseudemys ELEGANS. {Maxim.) 
Elegant Terrapin. 
Emys elegans, Maxim. Reise Nord-Amer. i. 1839, 213 (Upper Missouri).—Hayd. TraDS. 
Am. Phil. Soc. xii. 1862, 177 (Yellowstone). 
Tracliemy8 elegans, Agass. Contrib. Nat. Hist. U. S. i. 1857, 435.—Bd. U. S. Mex. B. Surv. 
ii. pt.. ii. 1859, Reptiles, 3 (Texas.) 
Pseudemys elegans, Gray.—Cope, Check List Bat. Rept. N. A. 1875, 53. 
Emys cumberlandensis, Holbk. N. Am. Herpet. i. 115, pi. 118 (Tennessee).—DeKay, N. 
Y. Fauna, iii. 1842, 20. 
Emys holbrookii, Gray, Cat. Brit. Mus. 1844, 23. 
Emys terrapin, Wailes, Geol. Rep. Mississippi, 1854, p. — {fide Agass.). 
A species originally described from the Upper Missouri by Prinz 
Maximilian you Neu Wied, and subsequently ascertained to occur 
throughout the Central region, east to the Ohio, and south to Texas. 
Genus CISTUDO. Fleming. 
Cistudo ornata. Agass. 
Ornate Box-turtle. 
Cistudo ornata, Agassiz, Contrib. Nat. Hist. U. S. i. 1857, 445, pi. 3, f. 12, 13.—Cope, 
Check List Bat. and Rep. N. A. 1875, 53. 
The Northwestern type of Cistudo, Professor Agassiz remarked, in 
proposing C. ornata, is of all the forms the most likely to be distinct, and 
such has proven to be the case. *• It is round, broad, and flat, without 
keel, even when young, while the young of Cistudo virginea are 
always strongly keeled.” The species is based upon specimens from the 
Upper Missouri and from Iowa. CODES AND TARKOW ON HERPETOLOGY. 
261 
Family TRIONYCHIME. 
Genus ASPIDONECTES. Wagler. 
Aspidonectes spinifer. (Les.) Ag. 
Trionyx spiniferus, Le Sueur, M&n. Mus. d’Hist. Nat. xv. 258, pi. 6. 
Aspidonectes spinifer, Agass. Contrib. Nat. Hist. U. S. i. 1857, 403.—Cope, Check List 
N. A. Bat. and Rep. 1875, 51. 
Trionyx ocellatus, Le Sueur (young $, fide Agass.; not of DeKay, which is Amyda 
mutica). 
Trionyx ferox, partim, Aliq. 
The Northern and Northwestern Aspidonectes, the characters and 
synonymy of which were first satisfactorily distinguished from those of 
the Southern A.ferox by Professor Agassiz in the work above cited, is 
represented as a common species from New York and Pennsylvania to 
the Rocky Mountains, where it is mentioned as occurring by Lewis and 
Clarke. According to Say and Allen, it is frequently found in the trib- 
utaries of the Missouri; the last-named naturalist took it in the Mussel- 
shell and Yellowstone. (See Allen, Proc. JBost. Soc. Nat. Hist. 1874, 
p. 09.) 
Family CHELYDRIDiE. 
Genus CHELYDRA. Schw. 
Chelydra serpentina. (X.) Harl. 
Snapping Turtle. 
Testudo serpentina, Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. 12, i. 1766, 354 (localities erroneously assigned 
as Algiers and China). Also of other older authors.—LeC. Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist. 
N. Y. iii. 127. 
Chelonura serpentina, Say, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. iv. 217.—Holbr. N. Am. Herpet. 
1st ed. iv. 21, pi. 3; 2d ed. i. 139, pi. 23.—DeKay, N. Y. Fn. iii. 1842, 8, pi. 3, 
f. 6. 
Emys serpentina, Gray, Syn. Rept. in Griffith’s An. Kingd. ix. 14. 
Chelydra serpentina, Harl. Med. & Phys. Res. 1835, 157.—Agass. Contrib. Nat. Hist. U. 
S. i. 1857, 417. And of most late authors.—Cope, Check List N. A. Bat. and 
Rep. 1875, 51. 
Emy8auru8 serpentina, & Bibr. Erp. G6n. ii. 350.—Storer, Rep. Mass. , 
212. 
Chelydra emarginata, Agass. op. cit. in text. 
“ Chelydra lacertina, Schw.” (young). 
“ Testudo serrata, Penn.” 
“ Testudo longicauda, Shaw.” 
A species of remarkably extended distribution, from the Northern 
border of the United States to South America; not, however, in the 
Pacific region. 262 
BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 
OPHIDIA. 
Family CROTALID.E. 
Genus CROTALUS. Linn. 
Crotalus confluentus. Say. 
Missouri Rattlesnake. 
Crotalus confluentus, Say, Long’s Exped. R. Mts. ii. 1823, 48.—Bd. & Gilt. Cat. N. Am. 
Reptiles, 1853, 8.—Bd. Pac. R. R. Rep. x. 1859, Reptiles of Whipple’s Route, 
40; pi. 24, f. 4.—Bd. U. S. and Mex. B. Surv. ii. pt. ii. Reptiles, 14.—Coop. & 
Suckl. Nat. Hist. Wash. Terr. Ie60, 295, pi. 12.—Cope, Check List N. A. Bat. 
and Rep. 1875, 33. 
Caudi8ona covfluenia, Cope, App. Mitchell’s Researches, 1861, 122.—Cope, Proc. Acad. 
Nat. Sci. Phila. 1866, 307, 309.—Allen, Proc. Bost. Soc. N. H. xvii. 1874, 69. 
Crotalus lecontei, Hallow. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. vi. 1851, 180.—Hallow. Sit- 
greaves’s Rep. Expl. Zufii and Colorado, 1853, 13Q, 147, pi. 18.—Hallow. Pac. 
R. R. Rep. x. 1859, Williamson’s Route, Reptiles, 18, pi. 3. 
Caudi8ona lecontei, Cope, App. Mitchell’s Researches, 1861, 121.—Hayd. Trans. Am. Phila. 
Soc. xii. 1862, 177.—Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1866, 307. 
Crotalus cinereus, LeConte apud Hallow. Sitgreaves’s Rep. Expl. Zufii and Colorado 
1853, 140 (in text). 
Specimens. 
1149. Sweet Grass Hills, Montana. , July 29,1874. 
1150. Sweet Grass Hills, Montana. July 29,1874. 
1197. Black Could, near Teton River, Montana. Sept. 6, 1874. 
1198. Black Could, near Teton River, Montana. Sept. 6, 1874. 
1199. Black Could, near Teton River, Montana. Sept. 6, 1874. 
The ascribed characters of G. lecontei, as compared with C. conflu- 
entus, are found not to hold good when sufficient series are examined. 
The number of superior labials in our specimens, and in others from the 
Yellowstone, ranges from thirteen to sixteen, while in others eighteen 
are described. Certain ascribed features of coloration are altogether 
uncertain, as specimens vary interminably in the distinctness of the 
dorsal blotches and in the details of the light markings about the head. 
This appears to be due in part to age, as the smaller specimens are 
usually the most boldly blotched, while on some of the largest examined 
the markings are nearly obsolete. These statements are fully borne out 
by our experience, we having noticed in this particular species that 
the blotching cannot be relied upon as a distinctive character, as in some 
individuals, notably from localities where the color of the soil is light, 
the blotches in some instances are barely perceptible; moreover, the 
forms of the blotches vary indefinitely, as some are serrated on their 
borders, others present an unbroken line. The distinctness of the pat- 
tern of coloration also depends somewhat upon seasou, the markings 
being clearest just after the shedding of the skin. There is certainly 
no specific difference between the two supposed species, and vari- COUES AND YARROW ON HERPETOLOGY. 
263 
etui distinction can hardly be predicated, at least upon the characters 
as yet adduced. In any event, the specimens above enumerated are the 
true 0. covfluentus of Say. Two of these are of unusual size, being both 
over four feet in length, a dimension near the known maximum of this 
species, though less than that of some others. The average length is 
less than three feet, and the calibre of the body, even in the largest 
examples, is relatively inferior to that of several Southern species. 
The number of rattles in this and other species, though of course increas- 
ing with age, is not an infallible clue to the age of a speciraeu ; for, acci- 
dental variation aside, it is far from proven that an annual increase by 
one is regular. On the contrary, the growth of the organ must depend 
largely, as in all parallel cases, upon the vigor of the individual, which 
is not the same at all periods of life, granting even a continuous state 
of perfect health. The purpose subserved in the economy of the ani- 
mal by this singular organ has been the subject of much speculation and 
discussion. It is difficult to perceive of what use the rattle can be, either 
in procuring prey or avoiding enemies. We do not know that it comes 
into play at all in the pursuit of prey, while the actual result of its use 
as a menace in sell-defence is the reverse of beneficial to the serpent, 
since the sound serves to direct and provoke attack from all enemies 
which the animal has occasion to fear. The theory that the rattle is a 
part of the serpent’s means of terrifying its intended victim, used as an 
adjunct of other supposed powers of fascination, may be safely held in 
check until it is proven that this peculiar influence is ever exerted to 
the extent of preventing its prey lrom seeking safety in flight. The 
notion that the rattle is intended to serve as a warning, and thus offset 
the venomous nature and highly dangerous powers of the serpent, is 
contrary to all analogy, since animals are endowed with attributes for 
their own good, irrespective of the result upon others, and would re- 
quire a faith in the intervention, for the benefit of the dominant species 
of the Mammalia, of special Providences, a belief now held by few thought- 
ful persons. It has been suggested that the rattle may be used to call 
the sexes together, and thus servo a useful purpose in the perpetuation 
of the species,—a hypothsis less untenable than some of the others which 
have been advanced. Another supposition, made irrespective of u final 
causes”, is, that the rattle has resulted, in the course of time, from the 
continual agitatiou of the caudal extremity of these highly nervous and 
irritable creatures, and that it has no special function. This seems not 
unreasonable, although, in view particularly of the fact that rattlesnakes 
alone, of the many equally or more venomous reptiles, have such ap- 
pendage, it is not entirely satisfactory. One thoroughly established fact 
concerning the rattle is that its practical operation is injurious to its 
possessor by provoking attack from those who can cope with it success- 
fully. It may be suggested, that inasmuch as to an unpracticed ear the 
rattle of the Crotalus cannot be distinguished from the crepitation of the 
large Western grasshopper, it may serve the purpose of attracting 264 
BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 
witbin reach of the fangs of the snake the many birds who greedily de- 
vour these insects. The rattle has been heard at times when no apparent 
cause of irritation to the snake existed, and a case has been reported in 
which a biped was drawn within reach of a rattler, thinking it a grass- 
hopper. 
The principal enemies of the rattlesnake, besides man, are wild hogs, 
peccaries, and deer. The latter kill the serpent when coiled by striking 
with the hoofs; the former attack it successfully with hoofs and teeth, 
and in some regions derive no small part of their subsistence from this 
source. The popular belief that the venom of the rattlesnake is innoc- 
uous to hogs is merely a partial statement of the fact that the fluid usu- 
ally fails to enter the circulation through the layer of adipose tissue 
with which these animals are commonly covered. The venom is con- 
ceded to be innocuous when introduced to the stomach, and the flesh 
of the rattlesnake is as edible as that of other serpents. The fatality of 
the rattlesnake's bite is by no means the constant element generally 
supposed, but the result may vary from the slightest amount of poison- 
ing to one rapidly fatal. This depends altogether upon the amount of 
venom absorbed in the system, and the rapidity of its diffusion through 
the circulation, matters which turn upon the amount of venom in store 
at the moment of striking, the vigor of the auimal at the time, the pen- 
etration of the tooth, the part of the body struck, and, finally, the state 
of health of the person attacked. No positive specific antidote is 
kuown. Surgical means of preventing dispersion of the poison through 
the system, and alcoholic stimulation to the highest pitch, are the 
usual resorts. 
It may not be out of place to refer in this connection to the inter- 
esting mechanism of the poison apparatus, as it is a matter not very 
generally known as yet, though clearly set forth by the researches of 
specialists, notably Dr. S. Weir Mitchell. The venomous fluid to be 
injected iuto a wound made by the teeth has nothing to do with the 
ordinary saliva, as popularly supposed; nor does the forked tongue or 
any of the numerous small teeth of the mouth take part in the infliction 
of the wound. The tongue and smaller teeth are essentially the same 
as in any harmless serpent. The active instruments are a pair of fangs.* 
one on each side of the upper jaw, rooted in the maxillary bones, which 
bear no other teeth. The fangs vary in size, being sometimes half 
an inch long. They are somewhat conical and scythe-shaped, with an 
extremely fine point; the convexity looks forward, the point downward 
and backward. The fang is hollow, for transmission of the venom ; but 
*It may be mentioned, as a fact of some interest, that, while in C. confluenlus the 
fan<js are generally shed or pushed out of place at variable periods of time (probably 
in twelvemonths), in C. adamanleus atrox, a species common in the Sonoran region, this 
shedding, or loss, frequently fails to take place, and it is common to liud generally iu 
ihe right side of the jaw of this species two or more fangs in position. Iu one speci- 
men lately examined, three were found iu position, and behind them three or four oth- 
ers were advanced in growth. COUES AND YARROW ON HERPETOLOGY. 
265 
the construction of the tube is not as if a hole had been bored through 
a solid tooth. It is in effect a flat tooth, with the edges rolled over 
together till they meet, converting an exterior surface, first into a groove, 
finally into a tube. This is shown, on microscopic examination of a sec- 
tion of the tooth, by the arrangement of the dentine. Unlike an ordi- 
nary tooth, the fang is movable, and was formerly supposed to be hinged 
in its socket, since it is susceptible of erection and depression. But 
the tooth is firmly socketed, and the source of this movement is the 
maxillary bone itself, which rocks to and fro by a singular contrivance. 
The maxillary is a small, stout, triangular bone, movably articulated 
above with a smaller one, the lachrymal, which is itself hinged upon the 
frontal. Behind, the maxillary articulates with the palatal and ptery- 
goid, both of which are of rod-like shape, and are acted upon by the 
spheno-pterygoid muscle, the contraction of which pushes them for- 
ward. This forward impulse of the palatal and pterygoid is communi- 
cated to the maxillary, against which they abut, causing the latter to 
rotate upon the lachrymal. In this rocking forward of the maxillary, 
the socket of the fang, and with it the tooth itself, rotates in such man- 
ner that the apex of the tooth describes the arc of a circle, and finally 
points downward instead of backward. This protrusion of the fang is 
not an automatic motion, consequent upon mere opening of the mouth, 
as formerly supposed, but a volitional act, as the reverse motion, namely, 
the folding back of the tooth, also is; so that, in simply feeding, the 
fangs are not erected. The folding back is accomplished by the ecto- 
pterygoid and spheno palatine muscles, which, arising from the skull 
behind as a fixed point of action, in contracting draw upon the jaw-bones 
in such a way that the maxillary, and with it of course the fang, are 
retracted, when the tooth is folded back with an action comparable to the 
shutting of the blade of a pocket-knife. All the motions of the fangs 
are controlled by these two sets of antagonistic muscles, one of which 
prepares the fangs for action, while the other stows them away when 
not wanted. 
The fangs, when not in use, are further protected by a contrivance for 
sheathing them, so that they rest like a sword in its scabbard. This is 
a fold of mucous membrane, the vagina dentis, which envelopes the tooth 
like a hood, enwrapping its base, and slipping down over its length, 
partly as a consequence of its elastic texture, partly on account of its 
connections. Erection of the fang causes the sheath to slip off, like the 
finger of a glove, and gather in folds around the base of the tooth. This 
arrangement can be readily examined without dissection. 
The poisonous fluid is secreted in a gland which lies against the side 
of the skull, below and behind the eye, of a flattened oval shape, obtuse 
behind, tapering in front to a duct that runs to the base of the tooth. 
Without going into the minute anatomy of the gland, it may be described 
as a sac, or reservoir, in the walls of which the numerous secretory fol- 
licles are imbedded; it is invested with two layers of dense, white, fibrous 266 
BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 
tissue, the outer of which gives off three strong ligaments that hold it 
in place. In a large suake, the entire gland may be nearly an inch long 
aud one-fourth as wide, weighing, empty, ten or twelve grains, and hav- 
ing a capacity of ten or fifteen drops of lluid. There is no special reser- 
voir for the venom, other than the central cavity of the gland. A certain 
dilatation of one portion of the duct, formerly supposed to be such store- 
house, is due to thickening of its walls, without corresponding increase 
of capacity, resulting from muscular fibres which serve as a sphiucter 
to compress the canal aud prevent wasteful flow of the contents. There 
is further provision to this same end. When the tooth is folded back, 
the duct attached to its root is submitted to some strain, which pushes 
it against a shoulder of the maxillary bone, and tends to shut off the 
communication. 
The injection of the venom, though to all appearance instantaneous, 
is a complicated process of several rapidly consecutive steps. Forcible 
voluntary closure of the jaws may always be, if desired, accompanied 
by a gush of the venom, owing to the arrangements of the muscles which 
effect such movement of the under jaw. These are the temporales, one 
of the three of which is situated in such relation to the poison-sac that 
its swelling in contraction presses upon the receptacle and squeezes out 
the fluid. The force of ejection is seen when the serpent, striking wildly, 
misses its aim; under such circumstances, the stream has been seen to 
spirt five or six feet. A blow given in anger is always accompanied by 
the spirt of venom, even when the fang fails to engage, from whatever 
cause. But since this result does not follow upon mere closure of the 
mouth, it is probable that the two posterior temporals ordinarily effect 
this end, the more powerful action of the anterior temporal (the one 
which presses upon the poison-sac) being reserved for its special purpose. 
There is one very curious piece of mechanism to be noted here. Since 
the serpent always snaps its jaws together in delivering a blow, the 
points of the erected fangs would penetrate the under jaw itself in case 
they failed to engage with the object aimed at, were there no contriv- 
ance for preventing such disaster to the snake. But there is a certain 
movement amoug the loose bones of the skull, perhaps not well made 
out, the result of which is to spread the points of the fangs apart in 
closure of the mouth, so that they clear the sides of the under jaw, in- 
stead of impinging upon it. 
The complicated mechanism of the act of striking may be thus de- 
scribed :—The snake prepares for action by throwing itself into a number 
of superimposed coils, upon the mass of which the neck and a few iuches 
more lie loosely curved, the head elevated, the tail projecting.and rap- 
idly vibrating. At the approach of the intended victim, the serpent, 
by sudden contraction of the muscles upon the convexity of the curves, 
straightens out the anterior portion of the body, and thus darts forward 
the head. At this instant, the jaws are widely separated, aud the back 
of the head fixed firmly upon the neck. With the opening of the mouth, COUES AND YARROW ON HERPETOLOGY. 
267 
the spheno-palatines contract, and the fangs spring .into position, throw- 
ing off the sheath as they leap forward. With delivery of the blow and 
penetration of the fangs, the lower jaw closes forcibly, the muscle that 
executes this movement causing simultaneously a gush of venom 
through the tubular tooth into the wound. There are .also some second- 
ary actions, though all occur at nearly the same instant. The mouth 
fixed at the wound drags upon it with the whole height of the snake’s 
body. This dragging motion is accompanied by contraction of the 
ectopterygoid and spheno palatine muscles, which ordinarily fold back 
the tooth; but the fang being at this moment engaged in the flesh, the 
action of the muscles only causes it to bury itself deeper, and thus en- 
large the puncture. The train of action seems to be, the reaching of 
the object, the blow, the penetration, the injection of the poison, and 
the enlargement of the wound. These actions completed, the serpent 
loosens its hold by opening the jaws, and disengages itself, sometimes 
not without difficulty, especially when the bitten part is small and the 
numerous small teeth have caught. The head is withdrawn, the fangs 
folded, the mouth closed, and the former coiled attitude of passive 
defense is resumed. 
These remarks apply in substance to other species as well as to the 
one now under special consideration. Upward of eighteen species, not 
counting Ancistrodon, are described as inhabitants of the United States, 
nearly all of which occur in the West and Southwest. Our rattlesnakes 
fall in two genera, Crotalus and Caudisona, readily distinguished by the 
scutellation of the head. In the former, the top of the head is covered 
with a large number of small asymmetrical scales like those on the body; 
in Caudisona, the same region is shielded by a definite small number of 
large flat places symmetrically disposed. Crotalus horridus is a most 
widely dispersed species of Eastern North America, the only other spe- 
cies of the same portion of the continent being C. adamantcus, the “Dia- 
mond” rattlesnake of the South Atlantic and Gulf States. With the 
latter is found associated a species of Caudisona, namely, C. miliarius, 
the small spotted rattlesnake; but the best known species of the latter 
genus is Caudisona tcrgeminus, the common “ Massasauga” of the interior 
States and of the Plains. Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona furnish the 
largest number of species. 
Crotalus conjluentus is a species of more and general distribution in 
the West, from the Mexican to the British boundary, and on both sides 
of the Rocky Mountains. It is associated in some parts with the 
Massasauga, but in other regions, as in the one now uuder considera- 
tion, it is the only known representative of its family. It appears to 
be particularly numerous in the region of the Yellowstone, where, 
according to Mr. Allen, it was estimated that two thousand were killed 
during the expedition of 1872. Farther northward, it is less abuudant, 
though fairly to be considered common in the region of the Upper Mis- 
souri and Milk River and some of their northern tributaries. Along the 268 
BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 
northern boundary line, its distribution appears to be determined very 
nearly by the Missouri watershed, as limited by the Coteau. This car- 
ries its range somewhat into the British Possessions, so that it is prob- 
ably the most northern species of the genus. It does not appear to 
exist along that portion of the line represented by the watershed of the 
Red River of the North, where none were observed by the commission. 
1 shall have frequent occasion to allude to the great difference in the 
fauna and flora of these two portions of the lino sharply divided by 
the Coteau of the Missouri. The presence among plants of the Opuntia 
missouriensis and the prevalence of Artemisia, the occurrence of Gentro- 
cercus urophasianus among birds, of Cynomys ludovicianus among mam- 
mals, and of Phrynosoma douglasi and Crotalus confluentus among rep- 
tiles, are some of the prominent features of the Missouri watershed as 
contrasted with that of the Red River. C. confluentus is .also found 
extending to New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, California, Nevada, 
and even to the islands of Santa Barbara Channel, California; but the 
typical Crotalus of the Sonoran region is C. adamanteus atrox, a sub- 
species of our Southern serpent, of the Pacific. C. lucifer, a well- 
marked and distinct form, is found in Arizona and the Pacific region. 
The pairing season of these serpents is in midsummer, when they 
have several times been observed in coitu. Little, however, has been 
ascertained respecting their reproduction. About half the year, in most 
latitudes, they hibernate in holes in the ground. They have, however, 
been observed abroad after severe frosts in the Yellowstone region. At 
Port Randall, on the Missouri, they were stated to reappear in May 
with the loosening of the ground from frost. As in the case of other 
species, there is a regular annual, or perhaps, as in some other Ophi- 
dians and as in Saurians, a more frequent casting of the skin. During 
the moult, they are reported to be specially venomous, but probably 
upon no other foundation than that at this time their sluggishness 
results in the accumulation of a large supply of the poisonous fluid. In 
one of the specimens secured were found the remains of a Prairie Squir- 
rel (Spermophilus richardsoni), the most abundant mammal of the Milk 
River region; and it is probable that these animals, together with the 
allied species, form a large part of their subsistence. 
While the venomous properties of these reptiles, not easily overrated, 
should suffice to ensure due caution in capturing or killing them, it is as 
well to remember that the utmost range of a rattlesnake’s blow is less 
than its own length. They may readily be captured alive by pinning 
down the neck with a forked stick, and may be handled with impunity, 
when not too large and powerful, if seized immediately behind the head. 
In case of a strong snake, however, the power of constriction is suffi- 
cient to paralyze the muscles of both arms, as in the case of a person 
we knew who had seized two of these reptiles by the back of the neck. 
He had to be relieved by a bystander. A method employed in the South 
to capture the C. adamanteus is perhaps worthy of mention. A silk COUES AND YARROW ON HERPETOLOGY. 
269 
handkerchief is fastened to the end of a pole, which is held toward the 
reptile, which strikes fiercely at it, the fangs and teeth become engaged 
in the fibre of the silk, and a dexterous movement of the stick readily 
pulls out the fangs, and the reptile can be approached with safety. 
There seems to be a special and peculiar enmity existing between the 
Rattlesnake and Moccasin and the Blacksnake (Bascanium) and “ King 
Snake” (Ophibolus getulus sayi); these two latter species \fagiug a 
constant warfare against the former, and invariably conquering, accord- 
ing to information received from reliable parties. After the couflict, the 
vanquished is eaten by the victor. In one case reported, a large Black- 
snake (Bascanium constrictor) had seized a Rattlesnake (Crotalus ada- 
manteus), and entwined two or more folds behind his head and several 
six or eight inches farther back; then by muscular effort had torn the 
body. It is a well-known fact that both Rattlesnakes and Moccasins 
will endeavor to get away from the u King Snake” (Ophibolus getulus 
sayi)} and in the South this beautiful and harmless species is protected 
in view of this fact. 
Genus CAUDISONA. Laur. 
Caudisona tergemina. (Say) Cope. 
The Massasauga, or Prairie BattlesnaJce. 
Crotalu8 tergeminu8, Say, Long’s Exped. R. Mts. i. 1823, 499.—Harlan, Jour. Acad. 
Nat. Sci. Pkila. 1827, 372.—Cope, Mitchell’s Researches, App. 1861, 125.— 
Hayd. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc. xii. 1862, 177 (Yellowstone). 
Crotalophorus tergeminus, Gray, Synop. Rept. 78 ; Cat. Rept. Br. Mus. 18.—Holbr. N. 
Am. Herpet. 2d ed. iii. 1842, 29, pi. 5.—DeKay, N. Y. Fn. iii. 1842, 57.—Bd. 
& Gir. Cat. N. A. Rept. 1853, 14.—Bd. P. R. R. Rep. x. 1851, pi. 25, f. 9 
(no text). 
Caudisona tergemina, Cope, Check List N. A. Bat. and Rep. 1875, 34. 
Crotalophoru8 , Agass. L. Superior, 1850, 381, pi. 6, f. 6, 7, 8. 
Yar ? (Black Massasauga.) 
Crotalophorus kirtlandii, Holbr. N. Am. Herpet. 2d ed. iii. 1842, 31, pi. 6.—Gray, Cat. 
Br. Mus. 18.—Bd. & Gir. Cat. N. A. Kept. 1853, 16.—Bd. P. R. R. Rep. x. 
1859, pi. 251, f. 11, 11 bis (no text). 
Crotalophoru8 massasauga, Kirtl. apud Bd. Serpents N. Y. 11, pi. 1, f. 2. 
This species is distributed in prairie countries from Ohio and Michigan 
westward, finding its most western limit in the region of the Yellow- 
stone. It is readily distinguished from any species of Crotalus by the 
presence of few (9) large symmetrical plates on the head, as in serpents 
generally, instead of numerous small scales, like those on the body. 
The rattle is much smaller than in Crotalus. The size varies from one to 
three feet. The ground-color above is brown, marked with blotches of 
deep chestnut-brown, blackish on the periphery, and margined with 
yellowish-white. 270 
BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 
Family COLUBRIDzE. 
Genus HETERODOX Beauv. 
Heterodon simus nasicus. (B. & 0.) Cope. 
Hog Closed Snake; Sand Viper; Puffing Viper; Blowing Adder. 
Hetetodon nations, Baird & Girard, Stansbury’s Exp. Great Salt Lake, 1852, 
352.—Baikd & Gir. Cat. N. A. Reptiles, 1853, 61, 157.—Hallow. Sit.gr. Rep. 
Expl. Zufii and Colorado R. 1853, 147.—Bd. P. R. R. Rep. 4, 1859, Whipple’s 
Route, Reptiles, 41.—Bd. P. R. R. Rep. x. 1859, Beckwith’s Route, Rep- 
tiles, 19.—Bd. U. S. Mex. B. Survey, ii. pt. ii. 1859, 18, pi. 11, f. 1.—IIayd. 
Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc. xii. 1862, 177.—Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 
1866, 307.—Allen, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. xvii. 1874, 69. 
Heterodon simus subsp. nasieus, Cope, Check List Bat. and Rep. N. A. 1875, 43. 
Specimen. 
No. 1101. Big Muddy River, Montana. June 25, 1874. 
The serpents of the genus Heterodon are medium-sized or rather 
small species, thick-set in form and sluggish, of repulsive aspect, not 
distantly resembling some of the venomous species, especially the Cop- 
perhead (Ancistrodon contortrix). The similarity to poisonous species is 
heightened by the flat, broad, triangular shape of the head and the 
habit of hissing wheu irritated. They are commonly called “Adders” 
and “Vipers”, and are reputed venomous; nevertheless, they are per- 
fectly harmless. They cannot be provoked to bite. The belief in the 
poisonous qualities is farther heightened by the presence of two toler- 
ably large teeth in each upper jaw, resembling fangs, these teeth being 
the ninth (?) of the series in some individuals, their bases being below 
the fifth upper labial. There is no groove present, nor is the tooth mov- 
able. We do not know that this fact has ever been before mentioned, 
although the post-palatine teeth are spoken of as being larger than 
others. These large teeth have, however, a sort of sheath over them, 
similar to the fang-sheath of Grotalus. There is an interval between 
the small anterior teeth, and these are not contained in the same sheath 
as the fang-like tooth, which in some cases is found to have in its sheath 
one or more smaller fang like teeth. They may be distinguished from 
any other serpents of this country by the sharp-pointed and elevated 
end of the muzzle, the rostral plate being prolonged into a spur. 
The present species finds its nearest ally in tha Heterodon simus of the 
Southern States, sharing with this species the separation of the median 
plate behind the rostral from the frontals by the interposition of several 
small plates. From H. simus it is distinguished by the slaty-black, 
which occupies all or most of the under surface. The color above is an 
obscure grayish-brown, with very numerous darker blotches along the COUES AND YARROW ON HERPETOLOGY. 
271 
dorsal line, and usually other smaller ones on the sides. But the 
markings are never bold, sometimes nearly obsolete. 
This is the most abundant and wide-ranging species of the genus, 
occurring throughout the West east of the Rocky Mountains. The 
specimen above noted is particularly interesting iu the fact that it is 
the northernmost one hitherto recorded, demonstrating a wider range, 
uot only of the species, but of the genus, than was before known. Mr. 
Allen procured it on the Yellowstone, and it appears to increase in 
numbers southward, being one of the more common serpents of New 
Mexico and Arizona. I am under the impression that I saw the same 
species beyond the Missouri watershed, at Chief Mountain Lake; but 
the individual was unfortunately not secured.* 
* Professor Cope, in bis recent Check List, has seen tit to reduce the numbers of 
species of this genus to four, which are readily separated into two groups as follows:— 
A. Heterodon platyrhinus. 
Heierodon platyrhinus subspecies atmodes. 
With the azygos behind the rostral plate in contact with the frontal plates. 
B. Heterodon simus subspecies aim us. 
Heierodon simus subspecies nascius. 
With the azygos behind the rostral plate separated by a varying number of 
small plates. 
In this connection, it may be mentioned that if color should be taken into considera- 
tion as a specific marking, it seems that Baird and Girard’s H. niger should be admitted 
as a subspecies of H. platyrhinus, for not only is there a very marked difference of col- 
oration (some species of H. niger being entirely black), -but as a rule the rostral of H. 
niger is much more developed than that of H. platyrhinus, and the dorsal carina are 
acute and very well marked, and there are obvious differences iu the size of the scales. 
It is true that in examining a number of specimens of H. platyrhinus, H. niger, and 
H. atmodes, it will be found that a regular intergradation of color exists; but if atmodes 
is to be admitted as a good and valid subspecies of II. platyrhinus, it would seem that 
H niger is entitled to the same respect. In an examination of the different specimens of 
Heterodon in the National Museum, Smithsonian Institution, the authors were fortunate 
enough to discover a species called Heterodon kennerlyi by Kennicott, in the Proceed- 
ings of the Acad, of Nat. Sci. Phila., 1860, pp. 336 and 337 ; and as after a careful exam- 
ination of several specimens, the specific characters of them compare entirely with the 
type, the entire description is here given. The species naturally falls near the B. or 
simus group, in which the azygos is separated from the frontals, not by a varying num- 
ber of plates, but by exactly two plates in five specimens and by three in one speci- 
men. These specimens are from the following localities:— 
1282. Matamoras, Texas. 
7290. Lower Rio Grande. 
6185. Fort Stockton, Texas. 
8878. Southern Arizona. 
8413. Southern Arizona. 
A comparison of these specimens with eighteen well-marked species of H. simus 
nasicus shows that although these latter vary as to the number of scales separating 
the azygos and frontals, in no respect does it approach the regularity and systematic 
arrangement of the scales in H. simus kennerlyi. 
Heterodon simus kennerlyi. (Eennic.) C. $ Y. 
H. kennerlyi, Kennicott. 
Spec. char.—Head broad, very short anteriorly. Rostral plate very large. Loral 
plate very small, sometimes absent. Only two supplemental plates behind the azygos ; 272 
BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 
Genus EUTiENIA. Baird & Girard. 
Coluber, Iropidonotus, sp., Auct. 
Eutainia, Baird & Girard, Cat. N. Am. Reptiles, 1853. 
Eutcenia, emend. 
To the few species of this genus known to the older authors under 
the names of Coluber or Tropidonotus, many were added, in 1853, by 
Baird and Girard, at the date of establishment of the genus Eutcenia, a 
majority of the fifteen species described in the catalogue of the authors 
the latter is sometimes replaced by two symmetrical contiguous plates, and without any 
supplemental. The prenasal and prefrontal in contact with the posterior process of 
the rostral. Dorsal row of scales twenty-three, all carinated except the first and sec- 
ond, which are perfectly smooth. Ground-color light yellowish gray ; a dorsal series 
of rather indistinct, rounded or subquadrate, brown blotches; a secoud series of smaller, 
circular spots, much darker and more distinct; below this a third and ihore indistinct 
series. 
Descr.—In its general form and appearance, this resembles the II. nasicus, with 
which it is sometimes found associated. The body, however, is rather shorter and 
thicker than in H. nasicus, and the head is broader, with the part of the head anterior 
to the eye decidedly shorter. The nasals are not as well developed longitudinally as 
in H. nasicus, but the result of this shortness of the anterior part of the head is seen 
in the very small loral, which is frequently wanting entirely. There is never more 
than one loral, while frequently two are seen in H. nasicus, in which the loral is in 
every case strikingly larger than in kennerlyi. The most striking difference between 
these species is in the number of small plates surrounding the azygos or postrostral. 
While in H. nasicus there are always at least ten of these, one or two of which margin 
the inner edges of the preuasals and prelrontals, there are never more than two, and 
frequently but one additional plate, in H. kennerlyi, and the prenasal aud prefrontal 
are always in contact with the posterior process of the rostral. The azygos is short, 
nearly as broad as long, and usually there are jusc behind it two contiguous plates of 
about the same size, separating it from the postfrontal, but not from the prefrontal. 
Frequently, however, the azygos is longitudinally divided, and without any additional 
plates, but in contact with the rostral anteriorly, and the vertical posteriorly, and not 
separated from the postfrontals. The vertical, occipitals, superciliaries, and labials 
are much as in H. nasicus, though generally less developed longitudinally. The rostral 
is as large as in H. nasicus. The two outer dorsal rows are both perfectly smooth ; in 
H. nasicus, the second is distinctly though delicately carinate. 
The ground-color is light yellowish-gray, with a dorsal series of rather indistinct 
subquadrate or rounded blotches, two to two and a half scales long, and separated by 
intervals of one or two scales, rather wider anteriorly. Below this is a series of very 
distinct, purplish-black, circular blotches, covering four scales transversely and two 
longitudinally ; below this one or more indistinct series of spots. This pattern of col- 
oration is very similar to that of H. nasicus, but the ground-color is always lighter, and 
the dorsal spots are lighter and less distinct. The upper lateral series is of a purplish- 
black, and much more distinct, forming a prominent character. 
Abdomen nearly entirely black, except a few yellow scuta. The head is marked as 
in H. nasicus, except that the nasals, prefrontals, aud rostral are all yellowish; while, 
in the latter species, they are dark in front of the light transverse line which crosses 
the crown behnd the rostral; and, in H. kennerlyi, the light line across the superci- 
liaries and vertical is much broader than in H. nasicus. This species differs from II. 
simus in many of the same features as does II. nasicus. These, together with the small 
or absent loral and small number of supplemental plates, will readily distinguish it. 
Rio Grande (Dr. Ktnnerly). Sonora. COUES AND YARROW ON HERPETOLOGY. 
273 
just named being new. To these several more have since been added, 
chiefly by Mr. Kennicott and Professor Cope, from various parts of the 
West, the present number of current United States species being over 
twenty. 
That the species of this large and difficult genus require thorough 
critical revision, with a reduction of the number of accredited species, 
will be evident to any one who undertakes the identification of any con- 
siderable series of specimens. A certain proportion of the specimens 
cannot be referred without hesitation to the described species they are 
supposed to represent, or, rather, may be referred, with about equal 
propriety, to more than one such species. This indicates either that the 
descriptions drawn from particular type-specimens are too exclusive to 
fairly afford specific diagnoses, or that the supposed species they rejrne- 
sent are not valid, but blend with each other through intermediate spe- 
cimens. There is unquestionably a gentle and complete intergradation 
between several of the accredited species. 
Too much stress altogether has been laid, in the preparation of spe- 
cific diagnoses, upon points which should properly be only adduced in 
illustration of the normal inherent range of variation of the individual, 
and have no value whatever as functions of the actual specific equation. 
For instance, “ superior labials seven” and “superior labials eight” are 
expressions found in the diagnosis of certain species as distinguishing 
marks. Whereas the fact is, as any one may satisfy himself by exam- 
ination of the first dozen specimens of Euttvnia that come to hand, that 
the superior labials may be either seven or eight in different spe- 
cimens of indubitably the same species, or that there may be eight of 
them on one side of the mouth, and seven on the other, in the same 
specimen. Subdivisions of the genus have been based upon the number 
of dorsal rows, whether 17,19, or 21. Whereas it is a fact that different 
specimens vary a pair or two of scales in this respect, and that different 
parts of the body of the same specimen show a different number of rows 
of scales. Other matters, such as the width and sharpness of definition 
of the characteristic stripes, and the special tinge of coloration of these 
and other parts of the body, might be mentioned in similar terms. 
As far as we have seen, the position of the lateral stripe may be a 
means of grouping the species. Though this varies within certain limits, 
mainly according to the width of the band, yet its position on the third 
and fourth, or on the second and third, dorsal rows, affords a ready 
means of distinguishing certain sets of species or varieties. 
Along the northern boundary, Eutcenia is the best represented genus 
of Ophidia, and indeed of Reptilia, not only in numbers of individuals, 
but of species as well. They occur in all situations, excepting, as a 
rule, the most arid regions, and are particularly numerous about the 
prairie pools and sloughs and along the banks of the various streams. 
All the species represented are more or less aquatic, particularly during 274 
BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 
the season of reproduction. Several hundred individuals fell under Dr. 
Coues’s observation, of which a sufficiently large series of upward of fifty 
specimens, representing all the species known to occur in this region, 
was preserved. 
These specimens include three perfectly distinct species. One of these 
is the wide-ranging E. vagrans, almost universally distributed in the 
West. Another is of the sirtalis type, and the third, more abundant and 
characteristic than either of the others, belongs to the radix group, and 
occurs under two varieties geographically distinguished. Without refer- 
ence to other species of the genus, the three just indicated may be readily 
distinguished by the following analysis:— 
A. Lateral stripe on the second and third rows of dorsal scales. 
a. Dorsal rows commonly 21; normally 8 superior labials. 
Body brown, with numerous small dark spots in two rows, nicking into the 
narrow inconspicuous stripes; no red; no bands on head; belly variably 
plumbeous vagran s. 
b. Dorsal rows commonly 19; normally 7 superior labials. 
Body pitchy-black, without spots, but mixed with small vermilion-rod spaces; 
the stripes broad, firm, and perfectly continuous sirtalis parietalis. 
B. Lateral stripe on the third and fourth rows of dorsal scales; superior labials nor- 
mally 7; normally 21 rows of scales. 
a. Pitchy-black and equally so below and above the lateral stripe; dorsal and 
lateral stripes narrow; both gamboge-yellow, not contrasted with each 
other ... - ...... . —..radix. 
a". Olivaceous-black; lighter or interrupted below the lateral stripe; dorsal stripe 
broad, rich chrome-yellow, contrasted with the pale gamboge-yellow lateral 
stripe radix txviningi. 
Eutcenia vagrans. B. & G. 
Wandering Garter SnaTce. 
Eutainia vagrans, Bd. & Gir., Cat. N. A. Reptiles, 1863, 35 (Texas and California to 
Puget Sound).—Gut. U. S. Expl. Exped. Herpet. 1858, 154, pi. 14, f. 5-10.—Bn. 
P. R. R. Rep. x. 1859, Beckwith’s Route, Reptiles, 19, pi. 17.—Coop. & Suckl. 
N. H. W. Terr. 1860, 297.—Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1866, 305, 307. 
Eutamia vagrans subsp. vagrans, Cope, Check List N. A. Bat. and Rep. 1875, 41. 
Specimens. 
1151. Sweetgrass Hills. August 3, 1874. 
1157. Sweetgrass Hills. August 3, 1874. 
1157 bis. Sweetgrass Hills. August 3, 1874. 
1157 ter. Sweetgrass Hills. August 3, 1874. 
1184. Chief Mountain Lake. August 23, 1874. 
Description (from Nos. 1157, bis, ter).—This is a rather small species, 
the largest specimens seen being little over two feet in length, of slender 
form, and inconspicuous coloration, by reason of the narrowness of the 
bands, their dull color, and their indentation by the series of dark spots. 
On a general view, these spots are nearly as evident as the bands them- COUES AND YARROW ON HERPETOLOGY. 
275 
selves, being quite blackish and set off upon the general dull grayish- 
brown ground-color. The under parts are dull slaty-gray, variously 
speckled and blotched with slaty-black, which in some cases prevails 
over the gray, especially on the hinder part of the body. The dorsal 
and lateral bands are alike pale dull yellowish. The dorsal stripe at its 
broadest poiuts is one scale and two half scales wide; where encroached 
upon by the black spots, it is reduced to a single scale, or even inter- 
rupted altogether. These spots are generally opposite, giving a beaded 
character to the dorsal stripe; sometimes alternate, when the band 
appears zigzag; and both these conditions may be found at different 
points on the same specimen. The lateral stripe is less firm than the 
dorsal, since it is not only beaded along its upper edge by the lower one 
of the two series of lateral spots, but also blended to a degree with the 
color of the first row of scales along which it lies, as usual in those spe- 
cies in which this stripe is on the second and third rows. The first row 
of dorsal scales is colored like the belly, not like the back. The lateral 
dark spots, very numerous, and, as already said, quite conspicuous, are 
mostly alternate with each other, in some places opposite. The plates 
of the head are light brown, excepting the labials, which are colored 
like the body. 
Twenty-one rows of scales is normal in this species, and the lateral 
stripe occupies the second and third. The head is large and especially 
wide, and the muzzle blunt. The superior labials are eight in two and 
a half of the three specimens under examination, the other half of the 
third specimen having seven. The discrepancy occurs, as usual, among 
the smaller anterior ones, the eye being in all situate over the fourth 
and fifth, counting from behind. The third from behind is the largest 
of the series. The length of the tail is contained 4§ times in the total 
length; 3§ times in the length of the body alone. 
E. vagrans exhibits in a marked degree the variation in number of 
labials, also of the anterior and postorbital plates. The species is 
peculiarly characteristic of the Central region, but it is found exceed- 
ingly numerous in Utah, Colorado, and Arizona, generally in mountains. 
The Wandering Garter Snake does not appear to be generally distrib- 
uted along the northern boundary line. It was not met with during the 
first year of my connection with the Survey in any part of the Red 
River watershed, nor was it seen the second season except to the west- 
ward from the outliers of the Rocky Mountains to the main chain itself. 
We may conclude that its northwestern limits of distribution are indi- 
cated in these poiuts. The species was originally described from the 
Pacific slope, Puget’s Sound, California, and New Mexico, and has since 
been shown to be of very general dispersion in the West, on both sides 
of the mountains. 276 
BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 
EUTiENIA SIRTALIS PARIETALTS. {Say) Cope. 
Parietal Garter Snake. 
Coluber parietal is, Say, Long’s Exp. R. Mts. i, 1823, 186.—Harl. Journ. Pbila. Acad. v. 
1827, 349. 
Eutainia parietalis, Bd. & Giu. Cat. N. A. Rep. 1853, 28. 
Eutcenia airlalis subsp. parietalis, Cope, Check List N. A. Bat. and Rep. 1875, 41. 
/Specimens. 
1180. Chief Mountain Lake. August 19, 1874. 
1193. St. Mary’s River. August 28, 1874. 
Description (No. 1180, Chief Mountain Lake).—This is one of the 
larger species of the genus, frequently attaining a length of three feet, 
although, at the same time, the average dimension is less than this. It 
belongs strictly to the sirtalis group, and iu fact is not specifically sep- 
arable from that species. It is a rather slender and elegant snake ; 
and, when found inhabiting the clear cold mountain streams or lakes, 
one of the most beautifully colored representatives of the genus, the 
stripes being firm and bold, and the dark body color being relieved 
with rich red in marked contrast. The coloration as observed in life in 
the Kocky Mountain specimens in August is as follows:— 
The dorsal band, which is one scale and two half-scales broad, firm and 
perfectly continuous from head to end of tail, without indentation for 
the dark body-color, is pure yellow, fading to pale naples-yellow in alco- 
hol. The tint is clearer than that of the lateral bands, which are rather 
of a heavier golden-yellow from some suffusion with the red that beauti- 
fully mottles the sides. The lateral stripe is as firm and continuous as 
the dorsal one, and broader, occupying two whole scales (of the second 
and third rows). The body-color is black, without obvious shade of 
brown or olivaceous, speckled between the scales with rich vermilion- 
red, which is very conspicuous on stretching the skin, forming an in- 
complete zigzag annulation. This red does not reach as high as the 
dorsal stripe, but extends through the lateral stripe, and occurs on the 
first dorsal row as a speck on the lower corner of each scale, and on 
the corresponding angle of the gastrosteges. The color is chiefly on 
the skin itself between the scales, but also suffuses the edges of many 
scales themselves. The first dorsal row of scales, which are much wider 
than the others, are colored like the belly; this lighter inferior boun- 
dary of the lateral stripe causes the stripe itself to appear less firm iu 
outline below than above. The belly is not blackish or even slaty, but 
of a peculiar pale glaucous greenish, much as in sirtalis; but black ap- 
pears as a pair of small, round, lateral spots on each scute at its front 
border. The head is olivaceous-blackish, the rostral, lorals, and labials 
being like the belly. Length 31 inches; tail abouti of the total length— 
£ of the length of body alone. Gastrosteges 157; urosteges G4, all 
bifid. Superior labials seven on both sides; the fifth largest iu this and 
a second specimen examined. Iu No. 1180, the labials of the left side COUES , AND YARROW ON HERPETOLOGY. 
277 
have a small intercalated scale between the second and third. No. 1193, 
from the Saint Mary’s River, August, is larger than the other, measur- 
ing about thirty-six inches; it is similar in general coloration, but less 
richly marked, the red suffusion being of less extent and intensity. 
This slender and elegant species was only observed at and near the 
end of the Line, at the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains, in August. 
It was common in the clear cold waters of the lakes and streams, and 
appeared to be one of the most thoroughly aquatic species of the genus, 
being often seen swimming freely in deep water at some distance from 
the shore. At this season, all the female individuals observed were gravid 
with nearly matured embryos. Like other of the genus, the species is 
ovo-viviparous, the young being some six inches in length when born. 
Newly-born individuals are of an indefinite dark color, with pale bands 
and under parts, without red, but with two rows on each side of very 
evideut blackish specks—markings like those that persist in the adults 
of E. vagrans, for example. In two young specimens found in utero, 
the genital or intromittent organs are external to the anus, and 
extremely large when compared with the size of the individual. The 
placental cord is attached a short distance in advance of the anus. 
Eutcenia radix. (B. & G.) 
Racine Garter Snalce. 
Eutainia radix, Bd. & GiR. Cat. N. Am. Reptiles, 1853,34 (Racine, Wisconsin).—Kenn. 
apud Coop. & Suckl. N. H. Wash. Terr. 1860, 299 (Minnesota). 
Eutcenia radix, Cope, Check List N. A. Bat. and Rep. 1875, 40. 
Eutcenia haydeni, Kenn. apud Coop. & Suckl. Nat. Hist. Wash. Terr. 1860, 298, pi. 14 
(Fort Pierre, Dakota). 
Thamnophis haydeni, Cope.—Ha yd. Trans. Amer. Assoc, xii. 1862, 177. 
Description (No. 1027, Pembina, June 5, 1873).—This is one of the 
stoutest species of the genus. A specimen two feet long equals or rather 
exceeds in calibre a three feet long individual of sirtalis for example. 
The rapidly tapering tail, in a specimen 30 inches long, is inches, 
or contained about 4§ times in the total length—nearly 4 times in the 
length of body alone. The head is very short and thick, with a broad 
obtuse muzzle. The dorsal stripe, one scale and two half scales broad 
throughout, is firm and continuous along the body, but less evident 
(sometimes extinguished altogether) on the tail. The lateral stripe is 
fairly two scales wide along most of the body, but only a scale and a 
half posteriorly, and but one scale on most of the tail; on the body it 
occupies the third and, for the most part, the fourth row of dorsal scales; 
on the tail it descends at once to the first row. Both dorsals and lat- 
eral bands are alike clear pale yellow, the former ouly occasionally deep- 
ening anteriorly into a more golden- or chrome-yellow. The body is oli- 
vaceous-blackish or obscure brownish-black, and of much the same tint 
above and below the lateral stripes. In the darkest and most “pitchy” 
black individuals, no markings are evident; in some lighter ones, there 278 
BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 
are indications of obscure dark spots, scarcely or not, however, traceable 
iu definite rows. Iu all the specimens, the series of spots below the lat- 
eral line are well marked and distinguishable, and in many cases the 
line of spots just above the lateral line is fairly perceptible. The belly 
is pale glaucous-olivaceous, touched with blackish on the sides of the 
scutes, and sometimes this color mingles with the dark of the sides below 
the lateral stripe. Unlike those species in which the lateral band is 
lower down, there is not so much difference in the size or shape of the 
first and second dorsal rows. The superior labials are normally seven, 
sometimes eight on one or both sides; they are light-colored, like the 
belly, but each has a touch of blackish along the posterior border. The 
dorsal rows are normally 21, and all quite broad. All the dorsal scales are 
strongly carinated, giving the animal a roughened, scabrous appear- 
ance. The length is oftener 2 to 2£ feet than more, but at all ages the 
bulk of the snake, as already indicated, is considerable. 
The specimen here described, a gravid female, and others of the nu- 
merous ones collected, agree perfectly with the original diagnosis of the 
type from Racine, Wis. (whence the name “radix” is derived), and 
equally well with Mr. Kennicott’s subsequent description of a specimen 
from Fort Snelling, Minn. Throughout the Red River region, from 
Pembina to where the Coteau de Missouri crosses the line, it is the 
characteristic Ophidian, the principal and almost the only representative 
of its order, outnumbering all the others put together. Indistinguisha- 
ble specimens also occur in the eastern portions of the Missouri region 
at the same latitude, though there the greater number are of the 
twiningi type, which farther westward prevails altogether. 
In the more fertile portions of the Red River Valley itself, this snake 
may be found almost anywhere iu the brush and herbage. Out on the 
dryer prairie beyond, it is chiefly confined to the pools and streams, or 
their immediate vicinity. Numbers are found basking together on the 
muddy borders of the sloughs, or among masses of aquatic vegetation, 
where they find ample subsistence during the summer months iu the 
tadpoles, young frogs, and various water insects. They are themselves 
preyed upon by hawks, especially the Marsh Harrier (Circus cyaneus 
liudsonins) and Swainson’s Buzzard (Buteo swainsoni). They are less 
active than some of the slenderer species, are readily caught, and when 
captured make little or no resistance. Only the largest individuals 
assume for the moment a defensive attitude and attempt to bite; most 
may be at once handled with impunity. The greater part of the females 
observed in July and August will be found pregnant, the young num- 
bering sometimes as many as thirty or forty. Individuals were taken 
in coitu in September and part of October. These observations together 
indicate a period of gestation protracted for the greater part of a year. 
The snakes become much less numerous in the latter part of September, 
but Dr. Coues occasionally saw them abroad on warm days up to the 
middle of October, even after there had been snow, sleet, and freezing of 
the more shallow waters. COUES AND YARROW ON HERPETOLOGY. 
279 
radix twiningi. Cones & Yarrow. 
Twining1 s Garter Snake. 
Description (No. 1135, Two Forks of Milk River, July 15, 1874).— 
From the Coteau de Missouri westward, in the arid region of the Upper 
Missouri and Milk Rivers, the characters of E. radix undergo con- 
siderable modification. The difference is easily recognized in life by an 
observer familiar with both kinds. The principal character is seen in 
the increased breadth and intensity of coloration of the dorsal band, 
especially on the anterior portion. This band is of a rich chrome-yellow 
or reddish-golden, contrasting strongly with the clear pale yellow of the 
lateral stripe. This richly-colored cadmium-yellow band commences as 
a minute liuear trace on the middle borders of the two scales just poste- 
rior to the occipitals; it then covers a single scale in rear of these, grad- 
ually increasing until three or even four scales are covered, finally set- 
tling down to thin scales which continue down two-thirds of body, then 
covers one whole and two halves; opposite the anus, aud to its termina- 
tion, it is confined to two half-scales. At its broadest part, near the 
head, it is full three scales broad, and sometimes even three and two 
half-scales in width. There are slight or no indications of darker mot- 
tling, even in the lighter-colored specimens. Below the lateral band, the 
dark color is usually much broken up with mottling of the color of the 
belly. With much the same general form as in E. radix, the head ap- 
pears decidedly narrower and less obtuse. In the specimen 1135 there 
are eight upper labials on right side, seven on left; it is a gravid fe- 
male. 
This form corresponds perfectly with certain geographical faunal 
areas which are represented in the region under consideration, a fact in 
further evidence of the propriety of distinguishing it. It is abundant 
about the prairie pools of the Upper Missouri and Milk Rivers; its habits 
are the same as those of E. radix. It does not appear to extend into 
the Saskatchewan watershed. 
Dedicated to Maj. W. J. Twining, United States Engineers, in recog- 
nition of his cordial cooperation in the scientific interests of the Bound- 
ary Commission, and in expression of our personal consideration. 
List of specimens {of both forms). 
1013. Pembina. June 5, 1873. 
1019. Pembina. June 7, 1873. 
1020. Pembina. June 7, 1873. 
1027. Pembina. June 7, 1873. 
1047. Pembina. June24, 1873. 
1065. Turtle Mountain July 22, 1873. 
1068. Turtle Mountain. July 23, 1873. 
1089. Mouse River. Aug. 20, 1873. 
1090. Mouse River. Aug. 20, 1873. 
1091. Mouse River. Aug. 20, 1873. 280 
BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 
1093. Mouse River. Aug. 25, 1873. 
1100. Big Muddy River. June25, 1874. 
1117. Porcupiue River. June27, 1874. 
1119. Big Porcupiue River. June29, 1874. 
1130. Frenchman’s River. July 8, 1874. 
1132. Near Frenchman’s River. July 12, 1874. 
1132 bis. Near Frenchman’s River. July 12, 1874. 
1132 ter. Near Frenchman’s River. July 12, 1874. 
1135. Two Forks of Milk River. July 15, 1874. 
To the foregoing species of Ophidians observed by the Boundary 
Commission may be added short notices of the following, known to 
occur in the Yellowstone region, and very probably extending farther 
north:— 
EuTuENiA proxima. {Say) B. & G. 
Say's Garter Snake. 
Coluber proximus, Say, Long’s Exped. R. Mts. i. 1623, 187.—IIarl. Journ. Acad. Nat. 
Sci. Pbila. v. 1827, 353. 
Tropidonotus proximus, Hallow. Sitgreaves’s Rep. Expl. Zulu and Colorado R. 1853,134, 
146. 
Eutainia proximo, Bd. & Gir. Cat. N. A. Reptiles, 1853, 25.—Allen, Proc. Bost. Soc. N. 
H. xvii. 1874, 69 (Yellowstone).—Kenn. apud Bd. U. S. Mex. B. Surv. ii. pt. 
ii. 1859, Reptiles, 16. 
Eutcenia proximo, Cope, Check List N. A. Bat. aud Rep. 1875, 40. 
This is a stout species, like E. radix ami E. ticiningi, the total length 
only about 3J times that of the tail. The dorsal stripe is ocliraceous- 
yellow; the lateral greenish-white or yellow on the third and fourth rows 
of scales; the dorsal rows are 19 in number. Carime of scales of dorsal 
region are of a whitish hue, which gives the species a streaked appear- 
ance, and the upper anterior border of the last row of scales is lined 
with white. There are also irregular white spots near the row of black 
ones above lateral line; these are more profuse in some places than 
others. The belly is greenish-white, more yellowish anteriorly. Its 
known range is east of the Kocky Mountains, from the region of the 
Yellowstone to New Mexico and Texas. Specimens are in the National 
Museum from Texas, California, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Mexico, &c. 
A specimen from Tomales Bay, California, is the type of E. impcrialis. 
sirtalis pickeringi. (B. ifc G.) 
Pickering's Garter Snake. 
a. SIRTALIS. 
Coluber sirtalis, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. ed. 12, 1766, 383.—Gm. Syst. Nat. i. pt. iii. ed. 13, 
178b, 11 07.—Harl. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Pbila. v. 1827, 352.—Hakl. Med. aud 
Pbys. Res. 116.—Stoker, Rep. Reptiles Massacb. 1839, 221. 
Tropidonotus sirtalis, Holbk. N. Am. Herpet. iii. 1842, 41, pi. 11. 
Eutainia sirtalis, Bd. & Giu. Cat. N. A. Rept. 1853, 30. COUES AND YARROW ON HERPETOLOGY. 
281 
Tropidonotus taenia, DeKay, N. Y. Fauna, iii. 1842, 43. 
Tropidonotus bipunctatus, Schl. Ess. Physiogn. Serp. 1837, 320. 
Tropidonotus taenia, DeKay, N. Y. Zool. 1842, 43, pt. 13, f. 27. 
b. PICKERINGI. 
Eutainia picheringii, Bd. & Gir. Cat. N. A. Rept. 1853, 27 (Puget Sound).—Gir. U. S. 
Expl. Exped. Herpet. 1858, 150, pi. 13, f. 14-20.—Coop. & Suckl. Nat. Hist. 
Wash. Terr. 1860, 296. 
Eulcenia sirtalis 6ubsp. pickeringii, Cope, Check List Bat. and Rep. N. A. 1875, 41. 
This species was not procured by Dr. Coues, but is introduced on the 
strength of specimens from Fort Benton, Montana, collected by Lieu- 
tenant Mullau. 
There are two well-marked forms of E. sirtalis subspecies picker ingi. 
The spots confluent into a dark band. 
a. With a lateral band. 
b. No lateral band. 
Baird and Girard say of the species,—“ Body slender ; black above, 
slate-color beneath; lateral stripe irregular, confluent with the light- 
colored intervals between the dark spots. This species exhibits great 
variation of color, principally in regard to black of abdomen.” In the 
reserve collection of reptiles in the National Museum are quite a num- 
ber of specimens of the two differently marked subspecies all from 
one locality, viz, Fort Benton, Missouri, collected by Lieutenant Mullau 
of the Army. In this subspecies, the differences in number of labials 
may be frequently seen. 
Tropidonotus sipedon. (L.) 
Water Snake. 
Coluber sipedon, Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. 12, 1766, i. 379.—Gmel. Syst. Nat. ed. 13, 1788, 
pt. iii. 1098.—Harl. Journ. Pkila. Acad. v. 1827, 351; Med. and Pliys. Res. 
114.—Thomps. Hist. Vermont, 1842, 118. 
Tropidonotus sipedon, Holbr. N. Am. Herpet. iii. 1842,29, pi. 6.—DeKay, N. V. Fauna, 
iii. 1842, 42, pi. 14, f. 31.—Hayd. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc. xii. 1862, 177. 
Nerodia sipedon, Bd. & Gir. Cat. N. Am. Reptiles, 1853, 38. 
Coluberpcecilogasler, Maxim. Reise Nord-Amer. i. 1839, 106. 
This serpent appears to have been first found in the Upper Missouri 
region by the Priuz Maximilian von Neu Wied, who described it under 
the name of Coluber pcccilogaster; and it was subsequently observed in 
the Yellowstone country by Dr. F. V. Hayden. It is one of the com- 
monest and best known species of the Eastern United States. The 
serpent of this region, however, may not be typical sipedon, but rather 
icoodhousii or erythrogaster. Reptiles of this genus (comprising Eerodia 
and Regina of Baird and Girard) are the most completely aquatic ouesof 
this country. The species of Nerodia proper are dark-colored, more or 
less evidently blotched, stout and rather repulsive, quite pugnacious 
when full grown, and commonly regarded as venomous under the name 282 
BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 
of Water Adder, or Water Moccasin : needless to say, like other true 
Colubrines, they are perfectly harmless. Those of the other section, 
Begina, are slenderer, and banded lengthwise, much like Eutccnia. 
PlTYOPHIS SAYI BELLONA. {B. & G.) Cope. 
Say's Pine Snalce. 
a. SAYI. 
Coluber sayi, Schl. Ess. Physiogn. Serp. 1837, 157. (Not Coronella sayi of Holbrook or 
Coluber sayi of DeKay, which is Ophibolus.) 
Pituophis sayi, Bd. & Gir. App. Cat. N. A. Rept. 1853, 152 (in text under Coluber 
sayi, p. 151).—Kenn. apud Coop. &, Suckl. Nat. Hist. Wash. Terr. 1860, 300, 
pi. 22.—Hayd. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc. xii. 1862, 177. 
b. BELLONA. 
Churchillia bellona, Bd. & Gir. Stansbury’s Rep. Great Salt Lake, 1852, 350. 
Pituophis bellona, Bd. & Gir. Cat. N. Am. Rept. 1853, G6, 157. 
Pilyophis bellona, Kenn. apud Bd. P. R. R. Rep. x. 1859, Williamson’s Route, Rep- 
tiles, 42.—Kenn. apud Bd. U. S. Mex. B. Surv. ii. pt. ii. 1859, Reptiles, 18.— 
Bd. U. S. P. R. R. Rep. x. 1859, Beckwith’s Route, Reptiles, 19.—Cope, Proc. 
Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1866,305.—Allen, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. xvii. 1874,69. 
Pityophis sayi var. bellona, Cope, Check List Bat. and Rep. N. A. 1875, 39. 
Pituophis affinis, Hallow, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. vi. 1852, 181.—Hallow. Sitgr. 
Rep. Expl. Zulu and Colorado R. 1853, 130, 146. 
The species of this geDUs, known as “ Pine ” and “ Bull” Snakes, are 
of large size, sometimes attaining a length of six feet or more. They 
are perfectly harmless, and appear of a rather sluggish and inoffensive 
disposition. They are light-colored (whitish, yellowish, or even reddish), 
but thickly blotched above with a dorsal series of numerous large brown 
or brown black-bordered spots, and other smaller lateral ones; on each 
side of the belly is usually found (as in the case of the present species) 
a row of black spots, one on each seutellum. Several upper dorsal series 
are lightly cariuated; the rest are smooth. The tail is very short, about 
one-twelfth of the whole length, half-ringed above with black, and hav- 
ing lateral black spots. There is a dark stripe across the head from one 
eye to the other, continued behind each eye to the angle of the mouth. 
The head is very small, and the neck contracted. The general blotched 
character of the upper parts is somewhat in superficial appearance like 
that of Crotalus confluentus or Ileterodon nasicus; but very little further 
observation is required to recognize the decided distinctions. 
The best known species of this genus is the P. melanoleuca, the Com- 
mon Pine or Bull Snake of the Eastern United States. An excellent 
and interesting account of the habits of this species, by the Rev. S. 
Lockwood, will be found in the American Naturalist for January, 1875. 
Serpents of this genus vary notably in the construction of the plates 
of the head. A specimen of P. bellona, from the Yellowstone, collected 
by Mr. Allen in the expedition of 1873, presents the following case:—A COUES AND YARROW ON HERPETOLOGY. 
283 
large subpentagonal, shield-shaped vertical. Single large, triangular 
superorbital. A pair of moderate occipital and numerous small tem- 
porals. In advance of the vertical is a small azygos plate, wedged in 
between the connivent postfrontals. Two pairs of postfrontals. One 
pair of prefrontals. Two nasals, the nostril between them. A small loral. 
Two anteorbitals; the lower very small; the large, upper one bounding 
nearly all of the orbit anteriorly. Three small postorbitals. A large 
obtuse rostral. Eight superior labials, the eye over the fourth and 
fifth, the penultimate one largest. 
After a careful examination of many specimens of P. sayi bellona and 
P. sayi mexicana in the National Museum, we find no absolute diagnostic 
value in the entire number of superior and inferior labials and number of 
dorsal scales, and are rather of the opinion that these two species should 
be grouped together under Baird and Girard’s original name of bellona. 
Further investigation may show that catenifer Blaiuv. should be brought 
under the same head. 
Opiiibolus getulus boylii. (B. & G.) Cope. 
Ophibolus boylii, Bd. & Gir. Catal. N. Am. Reptiles, 1853, 82.—Bd. P. R. R. Rep. x. 1859, 
Williamson’s and Abbott’s Route, Reptiles, 11.—Bd. U. S. Mex. B. Surv. ii. pt. ii. 
1859, Reptiles, 20.—Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Pbila. 1886,305. 
Lampropeltis boyUi, Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Pbila. I860, 255. 
Ophibolus gelulus subsp. boylii, Cope, Check List N. A. Bat. and Rep. 1875, 37. 
Coronella balteata, Hallow. “ Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Pbila. vi. 1853, 236”.—Hallow. P. R. 
R. Rep. x. 1859, Williamson’s Route, Reptiles, 14. 
A specimen of this species, contained in a collection from the Yellow- 
stone, offers the following characters:—The color is lustrous browni h- 
black, crossed at intervals of about an inch by narrow rings of pure 
white, which gradually widen on the sides to a breadth greater than that 
of the black interspaces. On the belly, these white rings are sometimes 
opposite, and then are continuous with the white coming down from the 
other side, and sometimes alternate, when they abruptly meet the black, 
producing a checkered pattern. These points are wholly irregular, both 
being observable in different parts of the same specimen. In this spe- 
cimen, which is about feet long, there are in all forty-four rings, in- 
cluding some which are incomplete, that is, existing only on one side; 
for the rings on the back, as on the belly, are not always continued all 
around, some broken ones finding no fellow on the opposite side. In 
other specimens, there is also the greatest variety in all these details of 
pattern. The fore part and sides of the head are irregularly blotched 
with black and yellowish, and there are yellowish specks on the occiput. 
This species is found abundantly in Pacific and Sonoran districts, and 
grows to a large size. The dark bands in Californian specimens in life 
are of a lustrous blackish-green bronze. Its discovery in Montana is an 
interesting fact, as there is but one specimen in the National Museum 
from that region. 284 
BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 
The genus Ophibolus comprises a considerable number of species of 
very handsomely marked serpents, in all of which a black, brown, or red 
ground is crossed by light markings. The Ophibolus getulus is a com- 
mon Eastern species, black like the present, and ringed with yellow, but 
the rings bifurcate on the sides. 
Ophibolus MULTISTRATA. {Kenn.) 
Lampropeltis multistriata, Kf.nn. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1860, 328. (By err. typog. 
for multistrata. “Fort Lookout, Nebraska”, by err. for Fort Benton, Mon- 
tana.)—Hayden, Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc. xii. 1862, 177 (Fort Benton). 
Ophibolm mulli8tratu8, Cope, Check List N. A. Bat. and Rep. 1875, 37. 
The locality of the original specimen is stated by its discoverer to be 
Fort Benton, Montana, not “ Fort Lookout, Nebraska v. Another error 
occurred in the original notice of the species, the name being printed 
multistriata for multistrata, in allusion to the number of rows of scales. 
Bascanium playiventre. (B. & O.) 
Yellow bellied Black Snake. 
Coluber flaviventns, Say, Long’s Expect R. Mts. ii. 1823, 185. 
Bascanion Jlaviventris, 13d. & Gut. Cat. N. A. Reptiles, 1853,96.—Bd. U. S. Mex. B. Surv. 
ii. pt. ii. 1859, Reptiles, 20.—Hayd. Trans. Arner. Phil. Soc. xii. 1862, 177.— 
Allen, Proc. Boat. Soc. N. H. xvii. 1874, 69 (Yellowstone). 
This species is dark olive-green above and bright yellow beneath, 
being distinguished from the usual style of B. constrictor by these char- 
acters, the last-named species being lustrous pitch-black above and 
ordiuarily greenish-black below. These characters, however, are not 
diagnostic, as more or less yellow-bellied Eastern constrictor often occurs. 
Inasmuch as individuals of B. constrictor, which have not attained 
their adult state, resemble greatly in coloration B. vetustum, color cannot 
be relied upon as a specific point in diagnosis. The position of certain of 
the upper labial and their relation to the eye and that of the lower 
postorbital afford the most reliable means of distinguishing the species. 
In Bascanium constrictor, a line drawn slightly obliquely backward from 
the junction of the third and fourth upper labials will pass directly 
through the centre of the pupil of the eye. The same line drawn in B. 
vetustum would pass slightly anterior to the centre of the pupil, and in 
the latter species the lower postorbital lies in a notch between the fourth 
and fifth upper labials. In B. constrictor, the lower postorbital rests on 
the upper border of the fourth upper labial. In some cases, the position 
of the lower postorbital in B. vetustum differs on different sides of the 
same individual. The young of B. vetustum can hardly be distinguished 
from the young of B. constrictor except by the position of the lower 
postorbital. The description of the young by Baird and Girard, p. 94 of 
their Catalogue, is excellent, and should be relied upon, as young speci- 
mens differ so materially in coloration from adults. 285 
CODES AND YARROW ON HERPETOLOGY. 
The typical and best known species of this genus is the common 
Black Snake of the United States (B. constrictor). All the species agree 
in their slender form and perfectly smooth, lustrous scales and uniform 
coloration while adult, though the young are somewhat particolored. 
They grow to a large size, and are noted for their powers of constriction. 
They are among the most active and agile of our serpents, possessing 
eminent scansorial powers, and are persistent enemies of numerous small 
birds, whose nests they rob of the eggs or young. 
Cyclopiiis vernalis. {DeK.) Giinth. 
Coluber vernalis, DeKay, MS.—Harl. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. v. 1827, 361; Med. 
and Phys. Res. 1835,124.—Storkr, Rep. Mass. Rept. 1839, 224.—Holer. N. Am. 
Herpet. iii. 1842, 79, pi. 17.—DeKay, N. Y. Fauna, iii. 1842, 40, pi. 11. f. 22.— 
Thomps. Nat. Hist. Vermont, 1842, 117. 
Chloro8oma vernalis, Bd. & GiR. Catal. N. Am. Rept. 1853, 10-1. 
Herpetodryas vernalis, Hallow. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1856, 243. 
Liopeltis vernalis, Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1860, 560.—Hayd. Trans. Amer. 
Phil. Soc. xii. 1862, 177. 
Cyclophis vernalis, GUntiier, Cat. Col. Snakes Brit. Mus. 1853, 119. 
Observed by Dr. Hayden on tlie Yellowstone. 
In vol. v, Zoology, of Ex. for Expl. West of One Hundredth Meridian, 
mention is made by Dr. Yarrow, p. 539, of the discovery of this species 
at Abiquiu, X. Mex., and in the Am. Nat. vol. —, p. —, the same author 
relates that it was found by Lieutenant Carpenter in Colorado. These 
facts extend greatly its southern limit. C. cestivus, the Eastern and 
Southern species, has been found in New Mexico. Texas, and Western 
Missouri. 
The two species are readily distinguishable: C. vernalis having 15 
rows of smooth scales, 7 upper labials, 8 lower; and G. cestivus having 
17 rows of strongly carinated scales, except the outer row, which is 
smooth, and the second slightly keeled; upper labials 7, lower labials 8. 
SAURIA. 
Family IGUANIO®. 
Genus PHRYNOSOMA. Wieg. 
Phrynosoma douglassi. {Bell) Gray. 
Horned Lizard; Horned “ Toadv; Horned llFrogv. 
a. DOUGLASSI. 
Agama douglassii, Bell, Trans. Linn. Soc. xvi. 1829, 105, pi. 10.—Bell, Isis, Bd. xxiii. 
Is30, 910.—Harl. Med. and Phys. Res. 1835, 141, f. 3. 
Phrynosoma douglassii, Gray, Griffith’s An. King. ix. 1831, 44.—Wagl. Nat. Syst. Amph 
1830, 146.—VYiegm. Herp. Hex. 1834,54.—Holb. N. Am. Herpet. i. 1842, 101, 
pi. 14.—Gray, Cat. Br. Mus. 1845,227.—Girard, Stansbury’s Rep. Expl. Great 
Salt Lake, 1852,362, pi. 7, f. 6-9 (monographic).—Core, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. 
Phila., 1866,302.—Allen, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. xvii. 1874,69. 286 
BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 
Phrynosoma douglassii subsp. douglassii, Cope, Check List N. A. Bat. and Rep. 1875, 49. 
Papaya douglassii, Girard, U. S. Ex. Ex. Herpet. 1858, 398, pi. 21, f. 1-5.—Bd. P. R. R. 
Rep. x. 1859, Gunnison’s and Beckwith’s Route, Iteptdes, 18.—Bd. P. R. R. Rep. 
x. 1859, Williamson’s and Abbott’s Route, Reptiles, 9.—Coop. A Sockl. N. H. 
Wash. Terr. I860, 294. 
b. ORNATISSIMA. • 
Phrynosoma orbiculare, Hallow. Sitgreaves’s Rep. Expl. Ziuii and Colorado Rivers, 125, 
pis. 8, 9. (Wee Wiegm.) 
Papaya ornatissima, Gir. U. S. Expl. Exped. Herpet. 1858, 39G.—Bd. P. R. R. Rep. x. 
1859, Whipple’s Route, Reptiles, 38.—Bd. U. S. Mex. B. Surv. ii. pt. ii. 1859, 
Repules, 9. 
Phrynosoma douglassii subsp.ornatissimum, Cope, Check List N. A. Bat. and Rep. 1875, 49. 
1148. Milk River at 49°. July 26, 1874. 
1153. Sweetgrass Hills. Aug. 3, 1874. 
1154. Sweetgrass Hills. Aug. 3, 1874. 
Specimens. 
Representatives of the order Sauria are even fewer in number than 
those of the Opliidia in this latitude (49° N.), and the present is the only 
species which was observed by the Commission. Two others, however, 
are given beyond as probably occurring on the line east of the Rocky 
Mountains. Six, including the present species, are described from 
Washington Territory by Drs. Cooper and Suckley. 
Douglass’s Horned Lizard is the most abundant and widely diffused of 
the six or eight known United States species of the genus Phrynosoma. 
It ranges in fact throughout nearly all parts of the West, from the 
Mexican to the British Boundary, reaching the latter in tho region of 
the Milk River. Its northernmost extension east of the Rocky Mount- 
ains at any rate appears to be only in the Missouri watershed. Dr. 
Coues obtained no indication of its presence in any part of the Red River 
region. It was found quite commonly on the Milk River, where this 
stream crosses the Line, and thence westward to the Rocky Mountains. 
In these latitudes, its rauge appears to coincide with that of Crotalus 
confluentus. 
The present species may be known among the congeners by the orbi- 
cular shape of the body in connection with the very slight develop- 
ment of the cephalic spines, which are, in fact, no more than pointed 
scales, little different from those on other parts of the body. In some 
other species, the body is more elongated or oval, and certain plates 
upon the head are developed into long spines. The coloration is varia- 
gated and diffuse, and differs greatly in different individuals, especially 
farther south, where there is greater latitude in this respect than at 
the north. In this region of northernmost extension, the colors are 
almost uniform and quite pale, and the size is usually small. The colora- 
tion of the animal depends greatly upon the color of the ground where 
found, and it is our impression that this species possesses to a limited 
degree a modified power of cliameleonization seen in other Saurians. 
Although commonly called “ Horned Toads”, or “ Horned Frogs”, from 
hasty consideration of a superficial resemblance in shape to some of the COUES AND YARROW ON HERPETOLOGY. 
287 
Batrachia, these animals are true Lizards, belonging to a large group 
which contains the Iguana, and numerous well known smaller species of 
this country. The presence of a tail, which is not found in adult life in 
the typical Batrachians; the scaly armor of the body, as contrasted 
with the naked skin of Batrachians; the mode of development, in not 
passing through a larval Tadpole stage, in which the species breathe in 
the water by means of gills; and the ambulatory, not saltatorial, mode 
of progression, are some of the prominent characteristics by which the 
Phrynosomce show their true affinities. 
Although of rather repulsive aspect, the Horned Lizards are inof- 
fensive and perfectly harmless animals. They are rather sluggish, 
easily captured, make no resistance, and are readily tamed, when they 
make rather amusing pets for those who may desire to watch their sly 
and furtive ways. They feed principally upon flies, ants, and other small 
insects, which they catch by rapid protrusion of their viscid tongue, 
leaping, or rather running, at their prey sometimes. One that had been 
tamed would eat from the lingers, and also take a drop of milk, appear- 
ing greatly to relish it. Like other cold-blooded animals, they sustain 
long fasts without apparent inconvenience, and may be safely mailed 
alive, as curiosities, to almost any part of the country. We have never 
been able to keep them alive over four months. 
The subspecies of this same P. doaglassii (ornatissimum) is principally 
found in the Sonoran region, but specimens are in the National Museum 
from Utah and Upper Colorado and Pole Creek (wherever that may be). 
Sceloporus consobrinus. B. & G. 
Sceloporus consobrinus, Bd. & Gir. Marcy’s Rep. Expl. Red R. 1853, 224, pi. 10, f. 
5-12.—Bd. P. R. R. Rep. x. 1859, Whipple’s Route, Reptiles, 37.—Bd. U. S. 
Mex. B. Surv. ii. pt. ii. 1859, Reptiles, 5.—Hayd. Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc. xii. 
1862, 177.—Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1866, 303.—Cope, Check List N. 
A. Bat. and Rep. 1875, 49.—Allen, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist. xvii. 1874, 69 
(from the Yellowstone). 
Lately obtained by Mr. J. A. Allen on the Yellowstone, and has been 
found in Utah and Nevada. .Belongs to the Sonoran and Central re- 
gion, Oregon ?, and Texas. 
Family SCINCID.E. 
Genus EUMECES. Wieg. 
Eumeces septentrionalis. (Bd.) 
Northern SJdnJc. 
Ple8tiodon septentrionalis, Bd. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1858, —.—Bd. P. R. R. Rep. 
x. 1859, Whipple’s Route, Reptiles, 38, pi. 24, f. 2.—Hayd. Trans. Araer. Phil. 
Soc. xii. 1802, 1/7. 
Eumeces septentrionalis, Cope, Check List N. A. Bat. and Rep. 1875, 44. 
Originally described from Minnesota, and also known to occur in 
Nebraska and Kansas. 288 
BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 
B.-BATRACHIA. 
ANUliA. 
Family BUFONIDaE. 
Genus BUFO, 
Bufo lentiginosus fowleri. (Putnam, MSS.) 
Folder's Toad, 
Bufo americanu8 var. foivleri, “Putn. MSS.” 
Bitfo lentiginosus subsp. foivlerii, Cope, Check List N. A. Bat. and Rep. 1875, 29. 
Specimens. 
1006. Pembina. June 3, 1873. 
1012. Pembina. June 5, 1873. 
1028. Pembina. June 7, 1873. 
1031. Pembina. June 7, 1873. 
1066. Turtle Mountain. July 23, 1873. 
1070. Turtle Mountain. July 24, 1873. 
? 1086. Mouse River. Aug. 17, 1873. 
? 1092. Mouse River. Aug. 25, 1873. 
Abundant along the line throughout the Red River watershed, where 
it was the only species observed. Westward, in the Missouri and Milk 
River region, it appears to be entirely replaced by the followiug species:— 
Bufo columbiensis. Bd. & Gir. 
Columbia Toad. 
Bufo columbiensw, Bd. & Gir. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1853, 378.—Gir. Proc. Acad. 
Nat. Sci. Phila. 1854, 87.—Gir. U. S. Expl. Exped. Herpet. 77, pi. 5, f. 4-9.— 
Bd. P. R. R. Rep. x. 1859, Williamson’s and Abbott’s Route, Reptiles, 12.— 
Coop. & Suckl. N. H. Wash. Terr. 1860, 304.—Allen, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. 
Hist. xvii. 1874, 70.—Cope, Check List N. A. Bat. and Rep. 1875, 29. 
Specimens. 
fll77. Kootanie River. Aug. 17,1874. 
1181. Chief Mountain Lake. Aug. 19, 1874. 
1183. Chief Mountain Lake. Aug. 23,1874. 
1190. Chief Mountain Lake. Aug. 24,1874. 
1191. Chief Mountain Lake. Aug. 24,1874. 
This species, originally described from the Pacific slopes, and not 
generally, recognized as occurring east of the Rocky Mountains, was COUES AND YARROW ON HERPETOLOGY. 
289 
found to be very common iu the above-named localities. It was also 
procured on the Yellowstone by Mr. Allen. The palmation of the feet 
renders it much more decidedly aquatic iu habit than is usual iu this 
genus. I found it swimming freely in the lake, as well as iu various 
streams and pools about the eastern base of the Mountains. Specimens 
were taken from the stomach of Salmo namaycush and other fish of the 
same genus in this locality, further indicating its aquatic nature. The 
colors of the specimens inhabiting these clear cold waters are notably 
fresh and firm. 
Family RANID^E. 
Genus KANA. 
Kan a halecina. Kalm. 
Leopard Frog. 
“Rana pipiens, Gm.”, Sy§t. Nat. 13th ed. 1788, 1052 (nee auct.). 
Rana halecina, Kalm.—Daud. Hist. Nat. Rept. viii. 1803, 122.—Harl. Journ. Acad. 
Nat. Sci. Phila. v. 337; Med. and Phys. Res. 102, 224.—DeKay, N. Y. Fauna, 
iii. 1842, 63, pi. 20, f. 19.—Holbr. N. Am. Herpet. iv. 1842, 91, pi. 13.—Bn. P. 
R. R. Rep. x. 1859; Whipple’s Route, Reptiles, 45.—Coop. & Suckl. N. II., 
Wash. Terr. 1860, 304, pi. 29, f. 7.—Hayd. Trans. Amor. Phil. Soc. xii. 1862. 
177.—Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1866, 301.—Allen, Proc. Bost. Soc, 
Nat. Hist. xvii. 1874, 70. 
iSpecimens. 
1064,. Ms, ter, etc. Near Pembina Mountains. July 9,1873. Numerous specimens. 
?1081. Souris River. Aug. 16,1873. 
? 1081, his. Souris River. Aug. 16,1873. 
1118. Wolf Creek. June 28,1874. 
1118, his. Wolf Creek. June 28,1874. 
?1167. Head of Milk River. Aug. 14,1874. 
A series of specimens, demonstrating the general dispersiou of the 
species in the permanent waters of the region explored. It occurs in 
Washington Territory, and I have found it in New Mexico and Arizona, 
as well as in various localities in the Eastern United States, where it is 
one of the most abundant and well-known species’, conspicuous in its 
size, rich coloration, and agility. 
The common Western form is Rana halecina berlandieri, which is only 
distinguished from R. halecina by its larger size and generally coarser 
and more pustulated skin. The specimens represent “berlandieri”, but 
this we are disinclined to adopt without further investigation of its 
alleged distinctness. 
Rana septentrionalis of Baird (Proc. Pliila. Acad. 1854, p. 61) is accred- 
ited with a range from “ Canada to Montana”, but was not observed. 290 
BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 
Family HYLIDiE. 
Genus CHOROPHILUS. 
Chorophilus triseeiatus. (Maxim.) 
Helecete8 triseriatus, Maxim. Eeise Nord-Am. i. 1839, —.—Hayd. Trans. Ainer. Phil. Soc. 
xii. 1862, 177. 
Chorophilus triseriatus, Cope, Check List N. A. Bat. and Eep. 1875, 30. 
Specimens. 
1123, bis, ter, etc. Frenchman’s River. July 6,1874. 
This small species was found in the greatest abundance in prairie 
pools* and streams at various points along the line, especially at French- 
man’s River, where numerous specimens were secured. It forms a con- 
siderable portion of the food of the Butanice of this region. Specimens 
are also in the Natural Museum from Colorado, New*Mexico, Nebraska, 
and Kansas. 
Family AMBLYSTOMATIDAG. 
Genus AMBLYSTOMA. Tsch. 
Amblystoma mavortium. Bd. 
a. MAVORTIUM. 
Ambystoma mavortia, Bd. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 2d ser. i. 1849, 292, 284 (New 
Mexico). 
Ambystoma mavortium, Hallow. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. iii. 1858, 352. 
Amblystoma mavortium, Bd. P. E. E. Eep. x. 1859, Gunnison’s and Beckwith’s Eoute, 
Eeptiles, 20.—Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1867,184.—Allen, Proc. Boat. 
Soc. Nat. Hist. xvii. 1874, 70.—Cope, Check List N. A. Bat. and Eep. 1875, 25. 
Amblystoma proserpina, Bd. & GlR. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1852, 173.—Bd. U. S. 
Mex. B. Surv. ii. pt. ii. 1869, Eeptiles, 29, pi. 35, f. 7-14. 
Ambystomaproserpine, Hallow. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. iii. 1858, 354. 
Ambystoma maculatum, Hallow. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. iii. 1858, 355.—Hallow. 
Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1857, 215. 
Desmiostoma maculatum, “Sager, Penins. Journ. Med. 1858,428”. 
Camarataxis maculata, Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1859, 123. 
Ambystoma nebulosum, Hallow. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1852, 209 (Arizona).— 
Hallow. Sitgreaves’s Eep. Expl. Zufii and Colorado E. 1853,143, pi. 20.—Hal- 
low. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. iii. 1858, 352. 
Amblystoma? nebulosum, Cope, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1866, 300. 
b. CAL1FORNIENSE. 
Ambystoma calif or niense, Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1853, 11, pi. 7 (Monterey).— 
Hallow. Journ. Phila. Acad. Nat. Sci. iii. 1858, 355. 
Amblystoma mavortium subsp. calx for niense, Cope, Check List N. A. Bat. and Eep. 1875,25. 
* These pools also furnished great numbers of an interesting Pbyllopod, Lepidurus 
couesi of Packard. COUES AND YARROW ON HERPETOLOGY. 
291 
Specimens. 
1045. Pembina. June 24, 1873. 
1057. Pembina. June 28, 1873. 
1071. Turtle Mountain. July 28, 1873. 
1074. Turtle Mountain. Aug. 11, 1873. 
1074 bis. Tnrile Mountain. Aug. 1, 1873. 
1137. Two Forks of Milk River. July 15, 1874. 
Common in suitable situations all along the line. In all the speci- 
mens observed, the metamorphosis from the Siredon stage was completed 
at a length of four or five inches. In other regions, I have procured the 
same species, still in the Siredon stage, but uearly twice as large. Indi- 
viduals were found in damp places about the buddings at Fort Pembina 
and vicinity, and still more numerously around the pools at the western 
base of Turtle Mountain. They wandered freely away from the water, 
and in some instances entered our tents. 
In life, the coloration of the specimens examined was clear olive above, 
more glaucous or greenish-white below, everywhere variegated in bold 
pattern with black? 
In addition to the foregoing, the only species of the genus observed 
by the commission, a second is described as inhabiting the region about 
the eastern portions of the line. This is the Ambystoma laterale of Hal- 
lowed (Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. iii. 1858, 352), now regarded os a 
variety of Amblystoma jeffersonianum Bd. {op. tit. i. 1849,283) (Xiplionura 
jeffersoniana Tschudi, Class. Batrach. 1838). 
Amblystoma aterrimum Cope (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1807, 201) 
is a species described from the Northern Rocky Mountains, in the region 
explored by Lieutenant Mullan. ART. XII—ON CONSOLIDATION OF THE HOOFS IN THE VIR- 
GINIAN DEER. 
Dr. Elliott Coues, U. S. A. 
Mr. George A. Boardman, of Calais, Me., has obligingly submitted to 
my examination the feet of a Deer (Cariacus virginianus) displaying the 
abnormality of consolidation of the hoofs. 
The state of the specimens does not permit any examination of the 
condition of the bones themselves. As well as can be judged from inspec- 
tion, and by feeling through the dried skin which covers them, they are 
entirely normal. 
The false hoofs are present and of ordinary characters. 
The malformation seems to be confined to the horny substance of the 
true hoof, which is consolidated with its fellow of the opposite. The 
union is complete along the whole inner margins of the hoof, excepting 
a notch between the two halves at the end less than half an inch in 
depth. 
Viewed from above, the hoof shows its composition by lateral halves, 
there being a profound longitudinal sulcus, along the bottom of which 
groove is the line of union, complete to within less than half an inch of 
the end. 
On the plantar surface, the confluence of the hoofs gives a nearly 
plane surface, without special indication by a sulcus of the line of union, 
to within about an inch of the end, where a median depression, bounded 
by raised edges, marks the seam, the extremity being nicked, or notched, 
as already said. The outer border of the sole of the foot is smoothly 
rounded off behind; but anteriorly, for about half the length of the whole 
hoof, the margins are raised and sharp-edged,—this edge terminating 
behind in a scroll-like inversion. This sharp margin is the outer edge 
of each hoof along that portion of its length which is ordinarily applied 
to the ground. 
The profile view of the hoof displays the deformity of excessive growth 
in length, the whole hoof being unnaturally elongated, with the end 
curved upward, rendering the lore border strongly concave in protile, 
and causing the hind and under border to fall into one long and con- 
tinuous curve, with convexity downward. 
Besides such elongation and curvature, the whole hoof is unnaturally 
contracted, or laterally compressed 5 the sides, which should expand 
downward and outward, curving downward and toward each other, so 
293 294 
BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 
that the greatest width of the plantar surface between the lateral sharp 
edges is much less than the diameter of the hoof across the top. 
Length of the hoof in front (chord of the concave border) nearly two 
iuches. Entire length of the hoof behind (chord of the convex curve 
from base to tip) three iuches. Greatest width of the hoof, both halves 
together, less than one inch—this measurement being taken near the 
base of the hoof behind. Width of either half, at a point opposite ends 
of the hairs in front, only four-tenths of an inch. 
The general constriction of the hoof is of course of a part with its 
consolidation; while its lengthening and curvature are doubtless the 
result of growth under circumstances not permitting the 
normal spread and play of each hoof upon the ground. 
This monstrosity is clearly a freak in an individual case, belonging to 
the general category of web-fingering; and it is not to be compared 
with the more profound modifications of the pig’s foot which I describe 
in the succeeding article. Its occurrence is so obviously and seriously 
disadvantageous that it could scarcely be perpetuated to any extent. ART. XIII.-ON A BREED OF SOLID-HOOFED PIGS APPARENTLY 
ESTABLISHED IN TEXAS. 
Dr. Elliott Coues, U. S. A. 
My attention has recently been called to this matter by communica- 
tions from a valued correspondent, Mr. G. W. Maruock, of IJelotes, 
Bexar County, Texas, who has further laid me under obligations by 
transmitting the well-prepared specimen from which the accompanying 
illustration has been made. 
Like the monstrosity of cleft-hoof occasionally witnessed in the horse 
or ass, the peculiarity of the solid hoof is already known to occur in the 
domestic pig. Thus, I am informed by Professor Baird of his recollec- 
tion of such a case, there having been many years ago a number of solid- 
hoofed pigs in the possession of a person residing near Carlisle, Pa., 
who specially valued them for some advantage which the peculiarity 
was supposed to confer. Professor Leidy also tells me that the same 
thing is within his knowledge. 
As in the case of the monstrosity of cyclopism, which is of compara- 
tively frequent occurrence in these animals, however, the formation of 
the solid hoof seems to have been regarded as a mere freak of nature, 
or monstrosity in the usual sense of that term ; whereas I gather from 
my correspondence with Mr. Marnock that the solid hoofed pigs of Texas 
are established as a race which transmits its peculiarities to its offspring 
as surely as it does any other portion of its structure. I should judge 
from Mr. Marnock’s remarks that the solid-hoofed pigs of his locality 
constitute a large proportion, if not a majority, of the species. 
The peculiarity is so firmly established that no tendency to revert to 
the original and normal form is observable in these pigs. Mr. Marnock 
informs me that the cross of a solid-hoofed boar with a sow of the ordi- 
nary type produces a litter the majority of which show the peculiarity 
of the male parent. 
He alludes to a popular belief which ascribes the origin of this breed 
to crossing with the peccary,—this being of course fallacious. 
The upshot of this modification of the foot is that a strictly artiodac- 
tyle animal is transformed into an imperfectly perissodactyle one. As 
far as the hoof itself is concerned, the pig is completely solidungulate. 
It is also perfectly “odd toed”, or single-toed, in the terminal phalanges, 
anchylosis of which produces a single broad phalanx in the axis of the 
limb. Above this, however, the other two phalanges, medial and proxi- 
mal, of each of the two principal lateral digits, remain perfectly dis- 
295 296 
BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 
tinct, and, moreover, widely separated from each other by intervention of 
a special ossicle, doubtless a sesamoid, in the axis of the foot immedi- 
ately above the single terminal phalanx. 
The actual structure, both of the bones of the digits and of the horny 
hoof, will be appreciated from a glance at the accompanying figure. 
This is engraved of life size, front view, with the hoof withdrawn suffi- 
ciently to display all the parts. The preparation is 
from a young subject about three months old, in which 
the proximal epiphyses of the phalanges are still evi- 
dent. The pair of distinct proximal phalanges of nor- 
mal characters, or nearly so, are seen to be succeeded 
by nodular medial phalanges, which latter, as well as 
the distal extremities of the proximal phalanges, are 
widely separated by intervention of a special ossicle in 
the axis of the foot. To these succeeds a single broad 
aud flattened terminal phalanx, obviously composed of 
the pair of distal phalanges anchylosed together. In 
this specimen, the anchylosis is complete, even at so 
early an age of the subject; its condition apparently 
being not the result of progressive confluence of the 
two bbues, but of their original connatiou. 
The terminal phalanx is flattened and somewhat 
scooped out on its posterior aspect, without trace of previous separation 
into halves. In front, however, as shown by the figure, b presents a 
central triangular elevation, apex downward, and base articulated with 
the nodular ossicle above it, as if a wedge of bone had been thrust into 
the axis of the limb between the primitive distal phalanges. This wedge- 
shaped piece of bone is completely anchylosed with the present single 
distal phalanx; and below its apex the edge of the bone is perfectly 
continuous across the axis of the foot. 
The central nodular ossicle, which I have already mentioned as a sesa- 
moid, articulates with all five of the bones of the foot. I cannot account 
for its presence unless it be a displaced sesamoid, such as for example 
that which is normal beneath the base of the distal phalanx of the horse, 
and known to some as the “os subarticulatum”. In the normal pig’s 
foot, there are several pairs of sesamoids beneath the phalangeal articu- 
lations; and the bone in question may be regarded as a confluence of 
the pair at the base of the distal phalanges, or of twro pairs at the bases 
of the medial and distal phalanges respectively. The displacement of 
these sesamoids brings the ossicle into position in the axis of the foot 
between instead of under the bones. Or, it may be that this ossicle is 
a confluent pair of sesamoids from beneath the basis of the medial pha- 
langes, and that the wedge-shaped piece of bone which appears upon 
the front of the distal phalanx, consolidated therewith, represents sesa- 
moids from beneath the distal phalanges. 
The horny hoof encases these bones as far as the distal extremities 297 
COUES ON A BREED OF SOLID-HOOFED FIGS. 
of the proximal phalanges. It is perfectly whole, or “solid”, as seen 
in the figure. In front, there is a slight, though evident, vertical line of 
impression along the middle, indicating its composition from lateral 
halves. On the sole of the hoof, there is a broad, angular elevation of 
horny substance, apex forward, and sides runuiug backward and out- 
ward to the lateral borders of the hoof, the whole structure being 
curiously like the frog of the horse’s hoof. In fact, it is a frog, though 
broad, flattened, and somewhat horseshoe-shaped, instead of being 
narrow, deep, and acute, as in the actual frog of the horse. This 
arcuate thickening of the corneous substance occupies about the middle 
third of the whole plantar surface of the hoof. 
Viewing the apparent establishment of this pseudo-perissodactyle 
structure in an artiodactyle, the question arises whether we have not, 
under our eyes, an example of a wTay in which a solidungulate may be 
evolved from a pluridigitate stock—though of course the one case is by 
enlargement of a single median digit and reduction of lateral digits, 
while in the present instance a bone in the axis of the limb is produced 
by failure of fission between lateral paired digits. Nothing is more cer- 
tain than that the present solid-hoofed horse has come by direct descent, 
with modification, from its several-toed ancestors of the Tertiary. In 
the present case, we seem to have the initial steps of an actual trans- 
formation which may in time result in modifications to which ordinal 
value may attach. It may be suggested that this modification is one 
of progressive adaptation of the animals to their freely-ranging state 
on the prairies of the country, just as the series of modifications which 
the primitive horse’s foot has undergone in adaptation to the making of 
the most serviceable hoof for running ou hard ground at the expense of 
any other function.