eral, on each side, the uppermost of which is obsolete, and the lowest subject to irregularities. A narrow white line commences at the lowest point of the orbit and passes obliquely backward to the angle of the mouth. Ground color dark grayish ash, minutely mottled. A series of thirty-eight to forty-five subcircular dorsal blotches extending from head to tail, dark brown, each with a narrow distinct yellowish border. Interval rather narrower than the spots themselves. A broad band of purplish red passes from head to tail through the blotches. On each side may be distinguished three series of blotches. Side of the head purplish brown, a narrow, distinct white line from the lowest part of the orbit passing obliquely backward to the angle of the mouth. Above and continuous with that white line a deep chestnut-brown vitta is observed, of the same length but broader, and lined above with a narraw, dull yellowish margin. Two undulated dark brown vittæ extend from the vertex to the first dorsal blotch and confluent with it." (Stejneger, "Poisonous Snakes of North America.")

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.

They are found everywhere in Texas.

HABITS.

Their general color is adapted to their surroundings, thus, those that live in open prairie in the grass, or that live on sandy land, are much lighter in appearance than those that live on black ground or in dense brush, or under houses. I have dissected a good many females, but have never found one that had either young or eggs.

They are much dreaded by the country people, not so much on account of their poison (I never knew of any person bitten by a ground rattlesnake but what suffered more from the remedies administered than from the poison of the snake) as from their quietness, their habit of living around homes and outhouses, and their sudden attack. I have found in their stomachs mice and crickets. They are nocturnal, but move about on cloudy and rainy days.

CROTALUS ADAMANTEUS, Beauvois.
("Diamond Rattlesnake.")

PLATE VI.

DESCRIPTION.

Head triangular. Scales on the cheek smooth. Scales on the back and side not conspicuously different in size except the lower two or three rows. Posteriorly, near the tail, all the scales are carinated except the lowest. General color, yellowish gray, with rhom

boidal black blotches, lighter in the center, and with the angles perfect. Or rather there is a series of dull yellowish lines crossing obliquely from one side of the abdomen to the other over the back, following the oblique series of scales, and occupying generally the posterior half of each scale, the basal portion being black. These lines, of which there are about thirty-six, crossing from each side, from head to tail, decussate first on the fifth and sixth lateral row, and then on the back, where they are more or less confluent three or four rows.

The tail usually exhibits a good deal of black with under part of dull yellowish white, or greenish white clouded towards the side with brown; no regular spots visible. The black on the tail does not constitute complete rings, but is interrupted in the middle of the lower surface. (Stejneger, "Poisonous Snakes of North America.")

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.

I have read nothing which records Crotalus adamanteus from Texas. My own observations (which cover fifty years), prove that this species was rather numerous thirty years ago in the timbered belts along the coast region.

HABITS.

It prefers dense shade and moisture, hence is most frequently found in river bottoms. It associates with Crotalus atrox. I have found them hibernating in the same den in the winter, and I have found them together in the summer. Their general habits are the same as Crotalus atrox.

CROTALUS ADAMANTEUS ATROX, B. and G.
("The Texas Rattlesnake.")

PLATE VII.

DESCRIPTION.

Head triangular. General style of coloration somewhat as in Crotalus adamanteus. Ground color above, dull yellowish brown, with a series of subhexagonal patches from the head nearly to the tail, in an uninterrupted series, separated throughout by narrow lines. We may refer the marking to the intersection of two series of light yellowish lines, about forty in number, crossing obliquely from each side across to the other, along the anterior half of as many oblique series of scales. (Stejneger, "Poisonous Snakes of North America.")