initial commit of ebook 34127HEADmain

22 files changed, 3994 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6833f05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitattributes
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+* text=auto
+*.txt text
+*.md text
diff --git a/34127-8.txt b/34127-8.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3840e46
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34127-8.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,1272 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Morphological Variation in a Population of
+the Snake, Tantilla gracilis Baird and Girard, by Laurence M. Hardy and Charles J. Cole
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Morphological Variation in a Population of the Snake, Tantilla gracilis Baird and Girard
+
+Author: Laurence M. Hardy
+        Charles J. Cole
+
+Release Date: October 24, 2010 [EBook #34127]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATION--SNAKE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Simon Gardner, Chris Curnow, Joseph Cooper and
+the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Notes
+
+This Plain Text version represents italic typeface with _underscores_
+and small caps typeface with ALL CAPS.
+
+Only a few changes were necessary to the text in the case of
+typographical errors, as follows:
+
+Page 623 Table 3 column heading: changed "or" to "of" (Number of
+specimens).
+
+Page 625: changed "percent" to "per cent" (92 per cent of the time).
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+
+                    UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS PUBLICATIONS
+                        MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
+
+
+                 Volume 17, No. 15, pp. 613-629, 6 figs.
+                               May 14, 1968
+
+
+                 Morphological Variation in a Population
+                               of the Snake,
+                    Tantilla gracilis Baird and Girard
+
+
+                                   BY
+
+
+                  LAURENCE M. HARDY AND CHARLES J. COLE
+
+
+                          UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
+                                LAWRENCE
+                                  1968
+
+
+
+
+     UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS PUBLICATIONS, MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
+
+   Editors: E. Raymond Hall, Chairman, Frank B. Cross, Henry S. Fitch,
+                            J. Knox Jones, Jr.
+
+
+                 Volume 17, No. 15, pp. 613-629, 6 figs.
+                         Published May 14, 1968
+
+
+                          University of Kansas
+                            Lawrence, Kansas
+
+
+                               PRINTED BY
+                 ROBERT R. (BOB) SANDERS, STATE PRINTER
+                             TOPEKA, KANSAS
+                                  1968
+
+                                 31-9422
+
+
+
+
+Morphological Variation in a Population of the Snake, Tantilla gracilis
+Baird and Girard
+
+By
+
+LAURENCE M. HARDY AND CHARLES J. COLE
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+
+Variation of selected taxonomic characteristics of flat-headed snakes
+(_Tantilla gracilis_ Baird and Girard) from several midwestern states
+was studied by Force (1935), but she did not attempt a comprehensive
+evaluation. Taylor (1936) reported on variation in _T. gracilis_ from
+various localities in Kansas; Kirn, Burger, and Smith (1949) studied
+selected structures of specimens of _T. gracilis_ from throughout its
+range. The present study was undertaken to determine the variation in
+both currently used and potential taxonomic characteristics of _T.
+gracilis_ from one locality.
+
+We are thankful to Charles W. Myers, Gorgas Memorial Laboratory, for
+suggestions concerning characteristics examined. We are indebted to Drs.
+William G. Degenhardt, University of New Mexico, Herndon G. Dowling, New
+York Zoological Society, Charles H. Lowe, University of Arizona, and
+Richard G. Zweifel, American Museum of Natural History, for criticizing
+the manuscript. Dr. William E. Duellman permitted us to study specimens
+in the University of Kansas Museum of Natural History.
+
+
+Materials and Methods
+
+The specimens examined were donated to the Museum of Natural History,
+University of Kansas, by the late Paul Anderson of Independence,
+Missouri. All specimens (KU numbers 83435-83680; N = 246) were collected
+in the vicinity of Winfield, Cowley County, Kansas, by Charles E. Burt
+and students from Southwestern College in the period from 1938 to 1941,
+inclusive.
+
+Both authors gathered data on most characteristics and examined each
+atypical individual. Hardy determined characters of the maxillae (which
+were removed; N = 20), body and total lengths, and the scale formula of
+KU 83620.
+
+We examined 22 characteristics of external morphology and 10 of the
+maxillae. All paired characteristics (excepting those of the maxillae)
+were examined on both sides of each snake and are referred to from the
+left side to the right side (for example, "preoculars 1-2" means there
+is one preocular on the left side and there are two on the right).
+Oviducts and oviducal eggs were observed on specimens designated as
+females; hemipenes were examined on specimens designated as males. Total
+length was measured by straightening each snake along a 300 mm. scale.
+Tail length was measured only on snakes having complete tails, and body
+length (snout-vent) was considered as total length minus tail length.
+The body length was measured on snakes having incomplete tails.
+
+Supralabials, infralabials, preoculars and postoculars were counted, and
+we followed Peters (1960:9) in determining the nature of the temporals.
+Occasionally the primary (anterior) temporal is separated from the
+postocular by contact of the parietal and a supralabial (Taylor,
+1936:338). We followed Peters (1964:219-220) in determining
+characteristics of the nasal and we looked for contact of the prefrontal
+with particular supralabials (Taylor, 1936:338). We determined which
+supralabials are in contact with the eye and whether the mental is in
+contact with the anterior pair of chin-shields.
+
+The number of rows of dorsal scales was determined at five locations: a)
+around the neck--counts were made from each side diagonally and
+posteriorly from the anteriormost dorsal scale in contact with the first
+ventral (see below)--counts from the left and right sides are the first
+and second counts, respectively, recorded in the scale formula; b) one
+head length posterior to head--counts were made either diagonally and
+posteriorly or in a zig-zag pattern, beginning at the end of the second
+count around the neck--this is the third count recorded in the scale
+formula; c) midbody (approximated)--counts were made either diagonally
+and posteriorly or in a zig-zag pattern--this is the fourth count in the
+scale formula; d) anterior to anus (preanal)--counts were made in a
+zig-zag pattern beginning on one side and ending on the other at the
+first dorsal scale in contact with the anal plate--this is the fifth
+count in the scale formula.
+
+We followed the method of Dowling (1951:98-99) in counting ventrals, and
+the anal plate was determined as entire, divided, or partly divided.
+Subcaudals were counted on only the right side beginning at the first
+scale that contacts a corresponding scale from the opposite side; fusion
+of particular pairs of subcaudals was determined. The "spine" at the tip
+of the tail was not counted. The head scutellation of each specimen was
+examined for abnormalities.
+
+We determined the number of fangs and the number of maxillary teeth
+anterior to them and recorded the presence or absence of a diastema
+between the anterior fang and the maxillary tooth immediately preceding
+it. The diastema, if present, is a space distinctly wider than the
+spaces separating the prediastemal teeth.
+
+The point of intersection of two perpendicular lines of an ocular grid
+determined which tooth-socket occurs directly opposite the distal tip of
+the suborbital process (Fig. 5b), but if that point occurs between two
+sockets then the number recorded was the number of the tooth immediately
+anterior to that point plus one-half.
+
+The anterior and posterior edges of the suborbital process were
+determined as parallel or not at any point by aligning them with
+parallel lines on an ocular grid (Fig. 5b).
+
+The angle of the posterior edge of the lateral flange was determined as
+an acute, obtuse, or right angle by fitting it to a pair of
+perpendicular lines of an ocular grid (Fig. 5b).
+
+The number of lateral anterior foramina (Fig. 4b) was determined. If
+only two are present, their lengths (anterior to posterior) were
+compared by measuring them with an ocular micrometer. Also, if two
+lateral anterior foramina are present, the point of intersection of two
+perpendicular lines of an ocular grid determined which tooth-socket
+occurs directly below the center of the posterior foramen (Fig. 4b).
+
+
+
+
+RESULTS
+
+
+General Characteristics
+
+From the data given by Force (1935), Taylor (1936), and Kirn _et al._
+(1949), and from our own data, we conclude that a typical specimen of
+_gracilis_, meaning a specimen having the usual characteristics of the
+species, has the following characteristics in combination: supralabials
+6-6; infralabials 6-6; preoculars 1-1; postoculars 1-1; temporals 1 + 1
+on each side; nasal divided below naris; supralabials 3 + 4 entering
+orbit; mental in contact with chin-shields; all five dorsal scale counts
+15; and plate divided. (In the present work we use the words usual,
+unusual, typical, and atypical with neither quotation marks nor
+apology).
+
+Of the 244 specimens on which we could examine each of these
+characteristics, only 125 (51.2%) have all of the typical
+characteristics in combination. The 119 specimens that do not possess
+all of the typical characteristics in combination include 31 (12.7% of
+the 244) that lack at least two of the typical characteristics.
+
+
+Sex
+
+The sample (N = 246) is composed of 107 (43.5%) females and 139 (56.5%)
+males.
+
+
+Measurements
+
+Females have total lengths from 96 to 244 mm. (mean, 173.3; N = 79). One
+female (KU 83480) measuring 244 mm. may be the longest specimen known
+(Conant, 1958, reports the longest as 9-1/8 inches--approximately 232
+mm.). Males have total lengths from 96 to 215 mm. (mean, 162.4; N =
+109). Females have tail lengths from 16 to 50 mm. (mean, 34.6; N = 79),
+and males have tail lengths from 21 to 53 mm. (mean, 37.8; N = 109).
+
+The ratio of tail length to total length in females is from 0.17 to 0.22
+(mean, 0.20; N = 79); in males it is from 0.21 to 0.27 (mean, 0.23; N =
+109; Fig. 1). Juveniles (those less than 125 mm. in total length
+according to Force, 1935: tables 1 and 2) have proportionally shorter
+tails than do adults; the ratio of tail length divided by total length
+is 0.17-0.21 (mean, 0.18; N = 14) in females and 0.21-0.23 (mean, 0.22;
+N = 16) in males. Adult females (125 mm. or more in total length) have
+ratios from 0.18 to 0.22 (mean, 0.20; N = 65) and adult males have
+ratios from 0.21 to 0.27 (mean, 0.23; N = 93).
+
+[Illustration: FIG. 1. Ratio of tail length to total length in females
+and males of _T. gracilis_.]
+
+Of the 246 specimens examined, 58 have incomplete tails. Of these 58
+specimens, six had freshly broken tails, so we assume that 52 (21.1% of
+the 246) have incomplete tails resulting from natural causes; the
+remaining six specimens could have had their tails broken at or soon
+after capture, assuming that none of the snakes was retained in
+captivity for an extended period.
+
+
+Supralabials
+
+The supralabials are either six (usually) or seven on a side (Table 1).
+When seven supralabials are present on either one or both sides, the
+addition results from one of the following conditions: a) 5 is divided
+to form 5 and 6 (N = 6); b) 2 and 3 form 2, 3, and 4 (N = 1); c) 5 and 6
+form 5, 6, and 7 (N = 12); d) 4, 5, and 6 form 4, 5, 6, and 7 (N = 1);
+e) 1 and 2 form 1, 2, and 3 (N = 1); f) 1, 2, and 3 form 1, 2, 3, and 4
+(N = 1); g) 2 is fused with the nasal, and 3 and 4 are reduced to
+granules (N = 1); h) type of addition unknown (N = 5).
+
+TABLE 1. Variation in Number of Supralabials (N = 245) and
+Infralabials (N = 246) of Tantilla gracilis.
+
+  ------------+----------+-----------+------------+---------+----------
+  Number      |Number    |Per cent   |Number      |Number   |Per cent
+  of          |of        |of         |of          |of       |of
+  Supralabials|specimens |occurrence |infralabials|specimens|occurrence
+  ------------+----------+-----------+------------+---------+----------
+        6-6   |    221   |   90.2    |     5-5    |    5    |   2.0
+        6-7   |     10   |    4.1    |     5-6    |    4    |   1.6
+        7-6   |     10   |    4.1    |     6-5    |    5    |   2.0
+        7-7   |      4   |    1.6    |     6-6    |  229    |  93.1
+              |          |           |     6-7    |    1    |   0.4
+              |          |           |     7-6    |    2    |   0.8
+  ------------+----------+-----------+------------+---------+----------
+
+In three of the four specimens with 7-7 supralabials, the type of
+addition is the same on each side, whereas the other specimen has a
+different type of addition on each side. Of the 23 examples for which
+the type of addition is known, 19 (82.6%) have the increase in number on
+the posterior half of the series.
+
+In one specimen the third supralabial on the right is diagonally divided
+and the resulting upper part does not contact the edge of the lip; hence
+the specimen has 6-6 supralabials.
+
+
+Infralabials
+
+The infralabials are five, six (usually), or seven on a side (Table 1).
+When five infralabials are present on either one or both sides, the
+reduction results from one of the following conditions: a) 2 and 3 are
+fused (N = 3); b) 1, 2, and 3 form 1 and 2 (N = 6); c) 2, 3, and 4 form
+2 and 3 (N = 3); d) 5 is separated from the edge of the lip by a
+projection from an adjacent infralabial (N = 1); e) 1, 2, 3, and 4 form
+1, 2, and 3 (N = 2); f) type of reduction unknown (N = 4).
+
+Of the specimens with 5-5 infralabials, two have the same type of
+reduction on each side, one has a different type of reduction on each
+side, and the type of reduction is unknown for the other two specimens.
+
+When seven infralabials are present on either one or both sides, the
+addition can result from infralabials 2 and 3 forming 2, 3, and 4 (N =
+2); the type of addition is unknown in one specimen.
+
+In one specimen the second infralabial on the right side is reduced to a
+small wedge-shaped granule and in another specimen several infralabials
+on both sides are irregularly divided horizontally, although both
+specimens have six infralabials on the sides having the abnormalities.
+
+
+Preoculars
+
+Of the 245 specimens examined, 242 (98.8%) have one preocular on each
+side. Both preoculars are absent from two specimens, and one specimen
+has 1-0. In each case when a preocular is lacking, the "preocular" and
+prefrontal are fused. One specimen having 1-1 preoculars has both of
+them reduced to small vertical slivers.
+
+
+Postoculars
+
+Of the 245 specimens examined, 242 (98.8%) have one postocular on each
+side. Postoculars are 2-1 in two specimens and 1-2 in one. In one
+specimen the lower of the two postoculars on each side is very small,
+being approximately 1/6 the diameter of the upper one (measured with an
+ocular micrometer).
+
+
+Temporals
+
+Of the 245 specimens examined, 235 (95.9%) have 1 + 1 temporals on each
+side. Four specimens exhibit addition of temporals: one specimen has two
+secondary temporals on the left, and one has a tertiary temporal on the
+left. Two specimens have partly healed head injuries that probably
+caused atypical temporal conditions: one specimen has two primary
+temporals on the left, and one has two secondary temporals on the left
+and two upper and one lower secondary temporal on the right.
+
+Six specimens exhibit reduction of temporals: one lacks a primary
+temporal on the left ("temporal" is fused with sixth supralabial), two
+lack secondary temporals on the right, and three lack secondary
+temporals on the left. The right secondary "temporal" of one specimen is
+separated from the supralabials by a posterior extension of the primary
+temporal.
+
+Of the 246 specimens examined, 200 (81.3%) have both primary temporals
+in contact with their adjacent postoculars. Thirteen specimens (5.3%)
+have only the left primary temporal in contact with the postocular and
+eight (3.3%) have only the right primary temporal in contact with the
+postocular. Twenty-five specimens (10.2%) have both primary temporals
+separated from the postoculars. Separation of the primary temporal from
+the postocular, whenever it occurs, results from contact of mutual
+extensions from the adjacent parietal and supralabial (usually the
+fifth).
+
+
+Nasal
+
+Of the 243 specimens examined, 237 (97.5%) have the nasal divided below
+the naris on both sides. Three specimens have the nasal completely
+divided (above and below the naris) on only the left side; one specimen
+has a completely divided nasal on only the right side. A groove, but not
+a complete division of the nasal, is present above the left naris of one
+specimen. One specimen lacks the typical division below the naris on
+both sides, but a complete suture is present posterior to the naris and
+the resulting postnasal scales are, according to position, loreals.
+
+
+Contact of prefrontal with supralabials
+
+Of the 243 specimens examined, 147 (60.5%) have the prefrontal separated
+from the labials on each side. Of the remaining 96 specimens, 53 (21.8%
+of the 243) have the prefrontals in contact with the second labial on
+each side; five other variations of this characteristic were observed
+(Table 2).
+
+TABLE 2. Variation in Contact of the Prefrontals and the Labials in 243
+Specimens of Tantilla gracilis.
+
+  ----------------------------------------------------+---------+----------
+                                                      |Number   |Per cent
+  CHARACTERISTIC                                      |of       |of
+                                                      |specimens|occurrence
+  ----------------------------------------------------+---------+----------
+  No contact                                          |   147   |  60.5
+  Contact of prefrontal with second labial on right   |    26   |  10.7
+  Contact of prefrontal with second labial on left    |    10   |   4.1
+  Contact of prefrontal with each second labial       |    53   |  21.8
+  Contact of prefrontals with labial two on left and  |         |
+    labial three on right                             |     1   |   0.4
+  Contact of prefrontals with labial three on left and|         |
+    labial two on right                               |     3   |   1.2
+  Contact of prefrontals with labial two on left and  |         |
+    labials two and three on right                    |     3   |   1.2
+  ----------------------------------------------------+---------+----------
+
+The specimen having the prefrontal in contact with labial 2 on the left
+and labial 3 on the right has seven supralabials on the right, the extra
+labial being added anterior to the eye. In two of the three specimens
+with the prefrontals in contact with labial 3 on the left and labial 2
+on the right, the preoculars and prefrontals are fused on each side; the
+third specimen has each preocular reduced to a small vertical sliver. Of
+the three specimens having the prefrontals in contact with labial 2 on
+the left and labials 2 and 3 on the right, two are typical with respect
+to other characteristics that might result in this atypical condition,
+but one has the prefrontals and preoculars fused.
+
+
+Supralabials entering orbit
+
+Of the 246 specimens examined, 233 (94.7%) have the third and fourth
+supralabials entering each eye (Table 3). All snakes that have the
+fourth and fifth labials entering the orbit on either side also have
+seven supralabials on the same side. One specimen having only the fourth
+labial entering the eye on the right side also has six supralabials on
+that side, but the third supralabial is split diagonally and the part
+contacting the eye does not contact the lip and hence is not a
+supralabial. The remaining three atypical conditions (4/3 + 4; 3 + 4/3 +
+4 + 5; 3 + 4 + 5/3 + 4) occur only one time each and on snakes having
+6-6 supralabials.
+
+
+Contact of mental with chin-shields
+
+Of the 246 specimens examined, 190 (77.2%) have the mental in contact
+with both anterior chin-shields. The mental is in contact with only the
+left anterior chin-shield in 15 specimens, only the right anterior
+chin-shield in 2 specimens, and the mental does not contact either
+anterior chin-shield in 39 specimens. Separation of the mental and an
+anterior chin-shield always results from the posterior elongation of a
+first infralabial.
+
+TABLE 3. Variation in Number of Supralabials Entering the Eye in 246
+Specimens of Tantilla gracilis.
+
+  ----------------------+-----------+------------
+      SUPRALABIALS      | Number of | Per cent of
+  ----------------------+ specimens | occurrence
+     Left   |   Right   |           |
+  ----------+-----------+-----------+------------
+    3 + 4   |   3 + 4   |   233     |   94.7
+    4 + 5   |   3 + 4   |     4     |    1.6
+      4     |   3 + 4   |     1     |    0.4
+    3 + 4   |   4 + 5   |     5     |    2.0
+    3 + 4   |     4     |     1     |    0.4
+    3 + 4   | 3 + 4 + 5 |     1     |    0.4
+  3 + 4 + 5 |   3 + 4   |     1     |    0.4
+  ----------+-----------+-----------+------------
+
+
+Dorsal scale rows
+
+Of the 245 specimens examined for this characteristic, 228 (92.7%) have
+scale counts of 15-15-15-15-15. The number of scale rows around the neck
+and one head length behind the head are 15 except in a single specimen
+that has 14 scale rows at these three places. The number of scale rows
+around midbody is 15 in 244 of 246 specimens (99.2%); two specimens have
+14 scale rows around midbody. The number of preanal scale rows is more
+variable; counts of 14 through 17 were recorded. Fourteen specimens have
+14 preanal scale rows (5.7%), 229 have 15 preanal rows (93.1%), two have
+16 preanal rows (0.8%), and one has 17 preanal rows (0.4%). Known causes
+for atypical numbers of preanal scale rows are listed in Table 4. A
+preanal count at one head length anterior to the anus would have omitted
+most of the above variation in numbers of preanal scale rows.
+
+TABLE 4. Atypical Numbers of Preanal Scale Rows in Specimens of Tantilla
+gracilis.
+
+  -------+---------+--------------------------------------------+----------
+  Preanal|Number   |                                            |Per cent
+  scales |of       |               CAUSE                        |of
+         |specimens|                                            |occurrence
+  -------+---------+--------------------------------------------+----------
+         |         |Scale rows seven and eight on left fuse     |
+    14   |   10    |within the last five ventrals               |   4.1
+         |         |                                            |
+         |         |Scale row two on the right is lost adjacent |
+    14   |    1    |to the penultimate ventral                  |   0.4
+         |         |                                            |
+         |         |Scale row eight on the left divides adjacent|
+    16   |    1    |to the last ventral                         |   0.4
+         |         |                                            |
+         |         |A scale row is added on the right adjacent  |
+    16   |    1    |to and anterior to the anal plate           |   0.4
+         |         |                                            |
+         |         |A scale row is added on each side adjacent  |
+    17   |    1    |to and anterior to the anal plate           |   0.4
+  -------+---------+--------------------------------------------+----------
+
+The complete dorsal scale formula for KU 83620, a male, is as follows:
+
+      6 + 7(2)      + 7(4)                   6 + 7(11)
+  15 --------- 13 --------- 14 --------- 15 ---------- 13 --------------,
+      6 + 7(2)                   +7(5)       6 + 7(11)     6 = 6 + 7(17)
+
+  14 ------------- 13---------,
+      6 + 7(18)        +7(25)
+
+       + 7(26)                     6 + 7(38)      +7(39)
+  14 ---------- 15 ---------- 14 ------------ 13---------- 14----------,
+                   6 + 7(36)                                    +7(42)
+
+  15 --------- 14 ---------,
+      -6(45)        +7(53)
+
+       7 + 8(67)      + 7(69)
+  15 ------------ 14 ----------- 15 ----------- 14 ---------- 15----------,
+                                     6 + 7(90)       +7(93)      6 + 7(99)
+
+  14 ------------ 15(122).
+       + 7(100)
+
+Specimen 83620 is the only one for which we have determined the complete
+dorsal scale formula. Obviously the formula is complex, and possibly the
+specimen is atypical in this regard. Nevertheless, addition and
+reduction of scale rows is apparent on other specimens and can be easily
+observed by examining specimens under a dissection microscope.
+
+
+Anal plate
+
+Of the 246 specimens examined, 232 (94.3%) have the anal plate divided.
+Of the 14 specimens having undivided anal plates, four have an
+incomplete groove anteriorly in the plate.
+
+
+Ventrals
+
+[Illustration: FIG. 2. Number of ventrals in females and males of _T.
+gracilis_.]
+
+Females have from 122 to 137 (mean, 130.8 ± 0.26; N = 107) ventrals;
+males have from 117 to 131 (mean, 122.3 ± 0.21; N = 139; Fig. 2). Of the
+246 specimens examined, 29 (11.8%; 11 females and 18 males) have an
+added half-ventral immediately anterior to the anal plate. Of these
+specimens, 27 have the added half-ventral on the left side and two have
+it on the right. Five specimens have the last ventral divided similar to
+the normal division of the anal plate. One specimen has the last ventral
+incompletely divided transversely. Excluding the last ventral, seven
+specimens have divided ventrals (half-ventrals). Four of these specimens
+have added half-ventrals on the right side (two specimens with one
+half-ventral each, one specimen with two half-ventrals, and one specimen
+with three half-ventrals), and four have added half-ventrals on the left
+side (one half-ventral on each specimen).
+
+
+Subcaudals
+
+Females have from 37 to 47 (mean, 42.0 ± 0.20; N = 79) subcaudals; males
+have from 43 to 55 (mean, 48.4 ± 0.23; N = 109; Fig. 3). Of the 187
+specimens examined, 13 (7.0%) have the last pair of subcaudals fused.
+One specimen has left subcaudal 28 fused with both adjacent subcaudals
+(also fused) on the right. While reading proof we found two omissions in
+Fig. 3; there should be illustrated two males with 43 subcaudals and
+three males with 44 subcaudals.
+
+[Illustration: FIG. 3. Number of subcaudals in females and males of _T.
+gracilis_.]
+
+
+Ventrals minus subcaudals
+
+The value for number of ventrals minus the number of subcaudals varies
+from 80 to 96 (mean, 88.8 ± 0.39) for 79 females, and from 67 to 83
+(mean, 73.8 ± 0.28) for 109 males.
+
+
+Additional scale characteristics
+
+Of the 246 specimens examined, four (1.6%) have the rostral in contact
+with the left prefrontal, and hence the internasals are separated from
+one another. One snake has approximately one-fourth (anteriorly) of the
+suture between the parietals fused. One specimen has the posterior edge
+of the frontal fused with the left parietal. One specimen has the
+parietal shield on the right side abbreviated posteriorly. One specimen
+has both prefrontals fused with the frontal, although an incomplete
+suture is present.
+
+
+Maxillary characteristics (_Figs. 4 and 5_)
+
+Maxillary teeth anterior to fangs 10-14 (mean, 12.1; N = 20);
+tooth-socket number 6.5-8.5 (mean, 7.2; N = 20) directly opposite distal
+tip of suborbital process; lateral anterior foramina 1-3 (mean, 1.8; N =
+20); tooth number 6-9 (mean, 6.9; N = 12) directly below center of
+posterior foramen (if only two foramina present). Three specimens lack a
+diastema and 17 specimens have a diastema. The anterior and posterior
+edges of the suborbital process are parallel in two specimens and not
+parallel in 14; the process is broken in four specimens. The lengths
+(anterior to posterior) of the lateral anterior foramina (if only two
+are present) are approximately equal in six specimens, and in six the
+anteriormost one is the longest; six specimens have one foramen and two
+specimens have three foramina. All specimens examined have two fangs,
+with the posterior edge of the lateral flange forming an obtuse angle.
+
+[Illustration: FIG. 4. Lateral view of right maxilla of _T. gracilis_
+(KU 83484), × 39. Actual length of bone is 2.44 mm. A. Detail of bone.
+B. Outline sketch of bone to illustrate characteristics examined.
+Lateral anterior foramina (LF); fangs (F); "prediastemal" maxillary
+teeth (MT); lateral flange (PLF); perpendicular lines, A-B and C-D, are
+used to determine which tooth-socket occurs directly below the center of
+the posterior foramen (the specimen illustrated is atypical because
+there are three foramina present).]
+
+
+Discussion and Conclusions
+
+Generic characteristics of _Tantilla_ are as follows: size small, body
+slender, head not noticeably distinct from body; preoculars one;
+postoculars one or two; nasals two; loreal absent; smooth dorsal scales
+in 15 rows; anal plate usually divided but sometimes single; subcaudals
+paired; usually two enlarged, posterior, grooved fangs on the maxilla
+separated by a small diastema from the other maxillary teeth (Baird and
+Girard, 1853:131; Cope, 1900:1110; Dunn, 1928:24; Blanchard, 1938:369;
+Schmidt and Davis, 1941:268; Wright and Wright, 1957:722; Conant,
+1958:180). Of these characteristics, only the following were invariable
+in our sample: size small, body slender, head not noticeably distinct
+from body; postoculars one or two; smooth dorsal scales; posterior
+grooved fangs on maxilla. The dorsal scales, anal, and subcaudals were
+"correct" 92 per cent of the time; the preoculars and nasals were
+"correct" 97 per cent of the time.
+
+[Illustration: FIG. 5. Ventral view of right maxilla of _T. gracilis_
+(KU 83484), × 39. Actual length of bone is 2.44 mm. A. Detail of bone.
+B. Outline sketch of bone to illustrate characteristics examined.
+Lateral flange (PLF) forms an obtuse angle (ADC) with main axis of bone
+(AB); a reference line (2), perpendicular to the main axis of the bone,
+is used to locate the tooth-socket directly opposite the tip of the
+suborbital process (SOP); the anterior and posterior edges of the
+suborbital process are not parallel at any point (reference lines 1 and
+3).]
+
+_Tantilla_ reportedly has two nasals (Baird and Girard, 1853:131; Cope,
+1900:1110; Wright and Wright, 1957:722). _Tantilla gracilis_ usually has
+a single nasal that is divided below the naris; variation in this
+characteristic is discussed above.
+
+In addition to the generic characteristics, specific characteristics for
+_T. gracilis_ are as follows: supralabials 5-8 (usually 6); supralabials
+3 and 4 entering orbit; infralabials 5-7 (usually 6); temporals 1 + 1;
+ventrals 115-138 in females, 106-132 in males; subcaudals 33-53 in
+females, 40-57 in males; tail length 13-27 per cent total length in
+females, 15-30 per cent in males (Baird and Girard, 1853:132; Cope,
+1900:1111-12; Force, 1935:653-54; Taylor, 1936:337-38; Blanchard,
+1938:371-72; Kirn, Burger, and Smith, 1949:240-49). Excepting the number
+of temporals and the supralabials entering the orbit, the
+characteristics of the specimens in our sample are within the ranges of
+variation mentioned above. Of the 10 maxillary characteristics studied,
+no variation was observed in number of fangs or angle of lateral flange.
+
+Because our data have some bearing on the problem of geographic
+variation in _T. gracilis_ and the recognition of subspecies, we comment
+briefly on the status of subspecies in _T. gracilis_. Kirn, Burger and
+Smith (1949) proposed the recognition of two subspecies of _Tantilla
+gracilis_ (_T. g. gracilis_ Baird and Girard and _T. g. hallowelli_
+Cope). These subspecies were diagnosed on the basis of differences in
+ventrals, subcaudals, and the ratio of tail length to total length;
+sexual dimorphism in each characteristic was considered. We do not
+recognize these subspecies for the reasons given below.
+
+The data of Kirn _et al._ (1949) appear to be presented inaccurately in
+part. Both of us independently recalculated the mean given for each
+characteristic for each subspecies, using the data in figures 2-4 of
+Kirn _et al._ (1949:242, 244-245). Of their 12 means presented (table 1,
+p. 247) only two agree with our recalculated means, although the means
+calculated by each of us independently are in complete agreement (Table
+5). Also, we independently calculated the percentages of specimens of
+each "subspecies" that are included in the ranges of variation given in
+their diagnoses (Table 5); again, our independent calculations are in
+complete agreement. In our opinion the differences between the
+populations for the characteristics analyzed do not warrant recognition
+of subspecies (Fig. 6).
+
+TABLE 5. Means of "Diagnostic" Characteristics of T. g. gracilis Baird
+and Girard and T. g. hallowelli Cope.
+
+  =============================================================================
+                   |      _T. g. gracilis_       |      _T. g. hallowelli_
+  -----------------+-----------------------------+-----------------------------
+                   |        |         |Per cent  |         |         |Per cent
+  CHARACTERISTICS  |        | Mean    |specimens |         |  Mean   |specimens
+                   | Mean   | (Kirn,  |of Kirn,  |  Mean   | (Kirn,  |of Kirn,
+                   |(Kirn,  |_et al._)|_et al._  | (Kirn,  |_et al._)|_et al._
+                   |_et al._|recalcu- |included  |_et al._ |recalcu- |included
+                   | 1949)  | lated   |their     |in 1949) | lated   |in their
+                   |        | by us   |diagnosis |         | by us   |diagnosis
+  -----------------+--------+---------+----------+---------+---------+---------
+  Ventrals--females|125.67  | 125.71  |  69.4    | 130.07  | 130.07  | 79.6
+  Ventrals--males  |115.97  | 116.61  |  70.0    | 121.22  | 120.87  | 69.7
+                   |        |         |          |         |         |
+  Caudals--females | 40.99  |  40.82  |  62.8    |  46.79  |  43.82  | 77.4
+  Caudals--males   | 47.75  |  48.29  |  78.3    |  51.67  |  50.29  | 51.0
+                   |        |         |          |         |         |
+  Tail L./total L. |        |         |          |         |         |
+    females        |   .1976|    .1976|  69.0    |    .2084|    .2076| 74.2
+  Tail L./total L. |        |         |          |         |         |
+    males          |   .2336|    .2362|  56.1    |    .2477|    .2423| 79.6
+  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+The data presented by Kirn _et al._ do not demonstrate intergradation
+between two populations. Moreover, the diagnostic ranges of the number
+of subcaudals in males of _hallowelli_ and the ratio of tail length to
+total length in males of _gracilis_ do not include the recalculated
+means for those characteristics. Furthermore, the means for the
+following characteristics are dangerously close to being excluded from
+their respective "diagnostic" ranges: in _hallowelli_, the number of
+ventrals in males; in _gracilis_, the number of subcaudals in females,
+and the ratio of tail length to total length in females. It is
+incongruous that Kirn _et al._ state (p. 243) that "the coefficient of
+geographic divergence is .6 per degree latitude" for ventrals, and on
+the same page they state that "The average number of ventrals gradually
+increases toward the north in _Tantilla gracilis_ except in southern
+Oklahoma and central Arkansas (the area of intergradation between _T. g.
+gracilis_ and _T. g. hallowelli_) where the change seems to be more
+abrupt." The data presented in Kirn _et al._ (1949) do not demonstrate
+an abrupt change.
+
+The present sample of _T. gracilis_ from Kansas is clearly within the
+geographic range of _T. g. hallowelli_ as mapped by Kirn _et al._
+(1949:241). However, for the sample from Kansas, the mean number of
+subcaudals of males is well within the diagnostic range for _T. g.
+gracilis_ (Table 6), the mean number of subcaudals of females is closer
+to the mean of _gracilis_ than it is to the mean of _hallowelli_ (Table
+5), and the mean of the ratio of tail length to total length of both
+sexes is within or very close to the diagnostic range for _gracilis_
+(Table 6).
+
+[Illustration: FIG. 6. Frequency polygons presenting ratios of tail
+length to total length for males of _T. g. gracilis_ and _T. g.
+hallowelli_ from Kirn, _et al._ (1949). The dotted vertical lines
+represent the means given by Kirn, _et al._ (1949) for _gracilis_ (left)
+and _hallowelli_ (right); the solid vertical lines represent the
+recalculated means for _gracilis_ and _hallowelli_, respectively, using
+the data of Kirn, _et al._ The hatched bars represent the range included
+by Kirn, _et al._ (1949) in their diagnoses of _gracilis_ (left) and
+_hallowelli_ (right).]
+
+TABLE 6. Comparison of the Means of Some Characteristics of the Sample
+of _Tantilla gracilis_ from Kansas (Our Data) with Some of the
+Diagnostic Characteristics (Kirn _et al._, 1949:240) of _Tantilla
+gracilis gracilis_.
+
+  ============================================================
+                 |Diagnostic range for | Mean of the sample
+  CHARACTERISTIC | _T. g. gracilis_    |("_T. g. hallowelli_")
+                 |                     |    from Kansas
+  ---------------+---------------------+----------------------
+    No. of       |                     |
+  subcaudals     |      40-50          |   48.4 (N = 109)
+    males        |                     |
+                 |                     |
+  Tail L./       |                     |
+  Total L.       |     .160-.200       |     .20 (N = 79)
+    females      |                     |
+                 |                     |
+  Tail L./       |                     |
+  Total L.       |     .200-.235       |     .23 (N = 109)
+    males        |                     |
+  ---------------+---------------------+----------------------
+
+Smith and Sanders (1952:218) pointed out an error in the range of
+subcaudals in female _T. g. gracilis_ as stated in table 1 (p. 247) of
+Kirn _et al._ We add some additional corrections that should be made on
+the same page. In table two, column two ("Sex"), the words "male" and
+"female" are reversed for each characteristic. Also, in table two,
+column four ("Means from data of Force"), the means for caudals should
+be corrected from 33.61 to 43.61 in females and from 39.99 to 50.32 in
+males, as based on our recalculations from Force's data; we did not
+recalculate the means of Force's data for the other characteristics.
+
+The discussion above demonstrates that the number of subcaudals and the
+ratio of tail length to total length are weak characteristics for
+diagnosing _T. g. gracilis_ and _T. g. hallowelli_. The only remaining
+diagnostic characteristic given by Kirn _et al._ (1949) is the number of
+ventrals. Nevertheless, a step-cline in the number of ventrals, if one
+exists, is yet to be demonstrated. Therefore, we completely agree with
+Dowling (1957:32), who stated that "... the overlap in each character is
+so great that any subspecific differences appear to be as yet undefined.
+It is here suggested that _T. gracilis_ be retained as binomial...."
+
+
+LITERATURE CITED
+
+BAIRD, S. F. and GIRARD, C.
+
+    1853. Catalogue of North American Reptiles in the museum of the
+          Smithsonian Institution. Part I.--Serpents. Smithsonian Misc.
+          Colls., 2:1-172.
+
+BLANCHARD, F. N.
+
+    1938. Snakes of the genus _Tantilla_ in the United States. Zool.
+          Ser. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., 20(28):369-376.
+
+CONANT, R.
+
+    1958. A field guide to reptiles and amphibians. Houghton Mifflin
+          Co., Boston, 366 pp.
+
+COPE, E. D.
+
+    1900. The crocodilians, lizards, and snakes of North America. U. S.
+          Nat. Mus. Rept. (1898), 153-1270.
+
+DOWLING, H. G.
+
+    1951. A proposed standard system of counting ventrals in snakes.
+          British J. Herpetology, 1(5):97-99.
+
+    1957. A review of the amphibians and reptiles of Arkansas. Occas.
+          Paps. Univ. Arkansas Mus., No. 3:1-51.
+
+DUNN, E. R.
+
+    1928. A tentative key and arrangement of the American genera of
+          Colubridae. Bull. Antivenin Inst. Amer., 2 (147):18-24.
+
+FORCE, E. R.
+
+    1935. A local study of the opisthoglyph snake _Tantilla gracilis_
+          Baird and Girard. Papers Michigan Acad. Sci., Arts and
+          Letters, 20:645-659.
+
+KIRN, A. J., BURGER, W. L., and SMITH, H. M.
+
+    1949. The subspecies of _Tantilla gracilis_. Amer. Midl. Nat.,
+          42(1):238-251.
+
+PETERS, J. A.
+
+    1960. The snakes of the subfamily Dipsadinae. Misc. Pubis. Mus.
+          Zool., Univ. Michigan, No. 114:1-224.
+
+    1964. Dictionary of herpetology. Hafner Publ. Co., New York, 392 pp.
+
+SCHMIDT, K. P. and DAVIS, D. D.
+
+    1941. Field book of snakes. G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 365 pp.
+
+SMITH, H. M. and SANDERS, O.
+
+    1952. Distributional data on Texan amphibians and reptiles. Texas J.
+          Sci., 4(2):204-219.
+
+TAYLOR, E. H.
+
+    1936. Notes and comments on certain American and Mexican snakes of
+          the genus _Tantilla_, with descriptions of new species. Trans.
+          Kansas Acad. Sci., 39:335-348.
+
+WRIGHT, A. H. and WRIGHT, A. A.
+
+    1957. Handbook of snakes. Comstock Publ. Assoc, Cornell, Vol. II,
+          pp. 565-1105.
+
+_Department of Biology, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque,
+87106, and Department of Zoology, The University of Arizona, Tucson,
+85721._
+
+_Transmitted July 11, 1967._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Transcriber's Notes
+
+The following corrections were made to the text:
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Morphological Variation in a
+Population of the Snake, Tantilla gracilis Baird and Girard, by Laurence M. Hardy and Charles J. Cole
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATION--SNAKE ***
+
+***** This file should be named 34127-8.txt or 34127-8.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        https://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/1/2/34127/
+
+Produced by Simon Gardner, Chris Curnow, Joseph Cooper and
+the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+https://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/34127-8.zip b/34127-8.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..66089e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34127-8.zip
diff --git a/34127-h.zip b/34127-h.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..391160b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34127-h.zip
diff --git a/34127-h/34127-h.htm b/34127-h/34127-h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3ac788b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34127-h/34127-h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,1434 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
+    "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
+<!-- $Id: header.txt 236 2009-12-07 18:57:00Z vlsimpson $ -->
+
+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">
+  <head>
+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" />
+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" />
+    <title>
+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of Morphological Variation in a Population
+of the Snake,
+Tantilla gracilis Baird and Girard, by Laurence M. Hardy and Charles J. Cole.
+    </title>
+    <style type="text/css">
+
+body {
+    margin-left: 10%;
+    margin-right: 10%;
+}
+
+    h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {
+    text-align: center; /* all headings centered */
+    clear: both;
+}
+
+p {
+    margin-top: .75em;
+    text-align: justify;
+    margin-bottom: .75em;
+}
+
+hr {
+    width: 33%;
+    margin-top: 2em;
+    margin-bottom: 2em;
+    margin-left: auto;
+    margin-right: auto;
+    clear: both;
+}
+
+table {
+    margin-left: auto;
+    margin-right: auto;
+}
+
+.bb       {border-bottom: solid 2px;}
+
+.bt       {border-top: solid 2px;}
+
+td.pad-right {
+    padding-right:1.25em;
+} /* move table entries from right margin */
+
+.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */
+    /*  visibility: hidden;  */
+    position: absolute;
+    left: 92%;
+    font-size: smaller;
+    text-align: right;
+} /* page numbers */
+
+.center   {text-align: center;}
+
+.smcap    {font-variant: small-caps;}
+
+.caption  {font-weight: bold;}
+
+/* Images */
+.figcenter   {
+    margin: auto;
+    text-align: center;
+}
+
+.figleft {
+    float: left;
+    clear: left;
+    margin-left: 0;
+    margin-bottom: 1em;
+    margin-top: 1em;
+    margin-right: 1em;
+    padding: 0;
+    text-align: center;
+}
+
+a img {border: none;} /* suppress image border */
+
+div.trans-note {
+    border-style: solid;
+    border-width: 1px;
+    margin: 2em 15%;
+    padding: 1em;
+    text-align: center;
+} /* transcriber's note */
+
+ul {
+    list-style-type: none
+} /* no bullets on lists */
+
+
+    </style>
+  </head>
+<body>
+
+
+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Morphological Variation in a Population of
+the Snake, Tantilla gracilis Baird and Girard, by Laurence M. Hardy and Charles J. Cole
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Morphological Variation in a Population of the Snake, Tantilla gracilis Baird and Girard
+
+Author: Laurence M. Hardy
+        Charles J. Cole
+
+Release Date: October 24, 2010 [EBook #34127]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATION--SNAKE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Simon Gardner, Chris Curnow, Joseph Cooper and
+the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+
+<div class="trans-note">
+<h4>Transcriber's Notes</h4>
+
+<p>The scale of <a href="#FIG_4">Figure 4</a> and <a href="#FIG_5">Figure 5</a> are preserved from the original,
+if viewed on a 96 DPI monitor screen and with a browser setting of 100%.</p>
+
+<p>The only changes made to the text are the following:</p>
+
+<p>Page 623 Table 3 column heading: changed "or" to "of" (Number of specimens).</p>
+<p>Page 625: changed "percent" to "per cent" (92 per cent of the time).</p>
+
+<h4>Table of Contents:</h4>
+
+<p class="center"><a href="#INTRODUCTION">Introduction</a></p>
+<p class="center"><a href="#RESULTS">Results</a></p>
+<p class="center"><a href="#LITERATURE_CITED">Literature Cited</a></p>
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<p class="center"> <span class="smcap">University of Kansas Publications<br />
+Museum of Natural History</span></p>
+
+
+<p class="center">Volume 17, No. 15, pp. 613-629, 6 figs.<br />
+May 14, 1968</p>
+
+
+<h1>Morphological Variation in a Population
+of the Snake,
+Tantilla gracilis Baird and Girard</h1>
+
+
+<p class="center">BY</p>
+
+
+<p class="center">LAURENCE M. HARDY AND CHARLES J. COLE</p>
+
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">University of Kansas<br />
+Lawrence</span><br />
+1968
+</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">University of Kansas Publications, Museum of Natural History</span></p>
+
+<p class="center">Editors: E. Raymond Hall, Chairman, Frank B. Cross, Henry S. Fitch,
+J. Knox Jones, Jr.</p>
+
+
+<p class="center">Volume 17, No. 15, pp. 613-629, 6 figs.<br />
+Published May 14, 1968</p>
+<hr />
+
+<p class="center">University of Kansas<br />
+Lawrence, Kansas</p>
+
+
+<p class="center">PRINTED BY<br />
+ROBERT R. (BOB) SANDERS, STATE PRINTER<br />
+TOPEKA, KANSAS<br />
+1968</p>
+
+<p class="center">31-9422</p>
+<hr />
+<p><!-- Page 615 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_615" id="Page_615">[Pg 615]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<p class="center"><span style="font-size:x-large">Morphological Variation in a Population
+of the Snake,
+Tantilla gracilis Baird and Girard</span></p>
+
+<p class="center">By</p>
+
+<p class="center">LAURENCE M. HARDY AND CHARLES J. COLE</p>
+
+
+
+<hr />
+<h2><a name="INTRODUCTION" id="INTRODUCTION"></a>INTRODUCTION</h2>
+
+
+<p>Variation of selected taxonomic characteristics of flat-headed snakes (<i>Tantilla
+gracilis</i> Baird and Girard) from several midwestern states was studied by
+Force (1935), but she did not attempt a comprehensive evaluation. Taylor
+(1936) reported on variation in <i>T. gracilis</i> from various localities in Kansas;
+Kirn, Burger, and Smith (1949) studied selected structures of specimens of
+<i>T. gracilis</i> from throughout its range. The present study was undertaken to
+determine the variation in both currently used and potential taxonomic characteristics
+of <i>T. gracilis</i> from one locality.</p>
+
+<p>We are thankful to Charles W. Myers, Gorgas Memorial Laboratory, for
+suggestions concerning characteristics examined. We are indebted to Drs.
+William G. Degenhardt, University of New Mexico, Herndon G. Dowling,
+New York Zoological Society, Charles H. Lowe, University of Arizona, and
+Richard G. Zweifel, American Museum of Natural History, for criticizing the
+manuscript. Dr. William E. Duellman permitted us to study specimens in the
+University of Kansas Museum of Natural History.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h3>Materials and Methods</h3>
+
+
+<p>The specimens examined were donated to the Museum of Natural History,
+University of Kansas, by the late Paul Anderson of Independence, Missouri.
+All specimens (KU numbers 83435-83680; N = 246) were collected in the
+vicinity of Winfield, Cowley County, Kansas, by Charles E. Burt and students
+from Southwestern College in the period from 1938 to 1941, inclusive.</p>
+
+<p>Both authors gathered data on most characteristics and examined each
+atypical individual. Hardy determined characters of the maxillae (which were
+removed; N = 20), body and total lengths, and the scale formula of KU 83620.</p>
+
+<p>We examined 22 characteristics of external morphology and 10 of the
+maxillae. All paired characteristics (excepting those of the maxillae) were
+examined on both sides of each snake and are referred to from the left side
+to the right side (for example, "preoculars 1-2" means there is one preocular
+on the left side and there are two on the right). Oviducts and oviducal eggs
+were observed on specimens designated as females; hemipenes were examined
+on specimens designated as males. Total length was measured by straightening
+each snake along a 300 mm. scale. Tail length was measured only on snakes
+having complete tails, and body length (snout-vent) was considered as total
+length minus tail length. The body length was measured on snakes having
+incomplete tails.<!-- Page 616 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_616" id="Page_616">[Pg 616]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Supralabials, infralabials, preoculars and postoculars were counted, and we
+followed Peters (1960:9) in determining the nature of the temporals. Occasionally
+the primary (anterior) temporal is separated from the postocular by
+contact of the parietal and a supralabial (Taylor, 1936:338). We followed
+Peters (1964:219-220) in determining characteristics of the nasal and we looked
+for contact of the prefrontal with particular supralabials (Taylor, 1936:338).
+We determined which supralabials are in contact with the eye and whether the
+mental is in contact with the anterior pair of chin-shields.</p>
+
+<p>The number of rows of dorsal scales was determined at five locations:
+a) around the neck&mdash;counts were made from each side diagonally and posteriorly
+from the anteriormost dorsal scale in contact with the first ventral (see
+below)&mdash;counts from the left and right sides are the first and second counts,
+respectively, recorded in the scale formula; b) one head length posterior to
+head&mdash;counts were made either diagonally and posteriorly or in a zig-zag
+pattern, beginning at the end of the second count around the neck&mdash;this is
+the third count recorded in the scale formula; c) midbody (approximated)&mdash;counts
+were made either diagonally and posteriorly or in a zig-zag pattern&mdash;this
+is the fourth count in the scale formula; d) anterior to anus (preanal)&mdash;counts
+were made in a zig-zag pattern beginning on one side and ending on
+the other at the first dorsal scale in contact with the anal plate&mdash;this is the
+fifth count in the scale formula.</p>
+
+<p>We followed the method of Dowling (1951:98-99) in counting ventrals,
+and the anal plate was determined as entire, divided, or partly divided. Subcaudals
+were counted on only the right side beginning at the first scale that
+contacts a corresponding scale from the opposite side; fusion of particular pairs
+of subcaudals was determined. The "spine" at the tip of the tail was not
+counted. The head scutellation of each specimen was examined for abnormalities.</p>
+
+<p>We determined the number of fangs and the number of maxillary teeth
+anterior to them and recorded the presence or absence of a diastema between
+the anterior fang and the maxillary tooth immediately preceding it. The
+diastema, if present, is a space distinctly wider than the spaces separating the
+prediastemal teeth.</p>
+
+<p>The point of intersection of two perpendicular lines of an ocular grid determined
+which tooth-socket occurs directly opposite the distal tip of the
+suborbital process (<a href="#FIG_5">Fig. 5b</a>), but if that point occurs between two sockets
+then the number recorded was the number of the tooth immediately anterior
+to that point plus one-half.</p>
+
+<p>The anterior and posterior edges of the suborbital process were determined
+as parallel or not at any point by aligning them with parallel lines on an
+ocular grid (<a href="#FIG_5">Fig. 5b</a>).</p>
+
+<p>The angle of the posterior edge of the lateral flange was determined as an
+acute, obtuse, or right angle by fitting it to a pair of perpendicular lines of an
+ocular grid (<a href="#FIG_5">Fig. 5b</a>).</p>
+
+<p>The number of lateral anterior foramina (<a href="#FIG_4">Fig. 4b</a>) was determined. If
+only two are present, their lengths (anterior to posterior) were compared by
+measuring them with an ocular micrometer. Also, if two lateral anterior
+foramina are present, the point of intersection of two perpendicular lines of
+an ocular grid determined which tooth-socket occurs directly below the center
+of the posterior foramen (<a href="#FIG_4">Fig. 4b</a>).<!-- Page 617 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_617" id="Page_617">[Pg 617]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr />
+<h2><a name="RESULTS" id="RESULTS"></a>RESULTS</h2>
+
+
+<h3>General Characteristics</h3>
+
+<p>From the data given by Force (1935), Taylor (1936), and Kirn <i>et al.</i>
+(1949), and from our own data, we conclude that a typical specimen of
+<i>gracilis</i>, meaning a specimen having the usual characteristics of the species,
+has the following characteristics in combination: supralabials 6-6; infralabials
+6-6; preoculars 1-1; postoculars 1-1; temporals 1 + 1 on each side; nasal
+divided below naris; supralabials 3 + 4 entering orbit; mental in contact with
+chin-shields; all five dorsal scale counts 15; and plate divided. (In the present
+work we use the words usual, unusual, typical, and atypical with neither quotation
+marks nor apology).</p>
+
+<p>Of the 244 specimens on which we could examine each of these characteristics,
+only 125 (51.2%) have all of the typical characteristics in combination.
+The 119 specimens that do not possess all of the typical characteristics in
+combination include 31 (12.7% of the 244) that lack at least two of the typical
+characteristics.</p>
+
+
+<h3>Sex</h3>
+
+<p>The sample (N = 246) is composed of 107 (43.5%) females and 139
+(56.5%) males.</p>
+
+
+<h3>Measurements</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 400px;">
+<a name="FIG_1" id="FIG_1"></a>
+<a href="images/i_005.jpg"><img src="images/i_005_tn.jpg" width="400" height="402" alt="" title="[Linked to larger image of Figure 1.]" /></a>
+<span class="caption">Fig. 1. Ratio of tail length to total
+length in females and males of <i>T.
+gracilis</i>.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>Females have total lengths from 96 to 244 mm. (mean, 173.3; N = 79).
+One female (KU 83480) measuring 244 mm. may be the longest specimen
+known (Conant, 1958, reports the longest as 9-1/8 inches&mdash;approximately 232
+mm.). Males have total lengths from 96 to 215 mm. (mean, 162.4; N = 109).
+Females have tail lengths from 16 to 50 mm. (mean, 34.6; N = 79), and males
+have tail lengths from 21 to 53 mm.
+(mean, 37.8; N = 109).</p>
+
+<p>The ratio of tail length to total
+length in females is from 0.17 to 0.22
+(mean, 0.20; N = 79); in males it is
+from 0.21 to 0.27 (mean, 0.23;
+N = 109; <a href="#FIG_1">Fig. 1</a>). Juveniles (those
+less than 125 mm. in total length according
+to Force, 1935: tables 1 and
+2) have proportionally shorter tails
+than do adults; the ratio of tail length
+divided by total length is 0.17-0.21
+(mean, 0.18; N = 14) in females and
+0.21-0.23 (mean, 0.22; N = 16) in
+males. Adult females (125 mm. or
+more in total length) have ratios from
+0.18 to 0.22 (mean, 0.20; N = 65)
+and adult males have ratios from 0.21
+to 0.27 (mean, 0.23; N = 93).</p>
+
+<p>Of the 246 specimens examined, 58 have incomplete tails. Of these 58
+specimens, six had freshly broken tails, so we assume that 52 (21.1% of the 246)
+have incomplete tails resulting from natural causes; the remaining six specimens<!-- Page 618 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_618" id="Page_618">[Pg 618]</a></span>
+could have had their tails broken at or soon after capture, assuming that none
+of the snakes was retained in captivity for an extended period.</p>
+
+
+<h3>Supralabials</h3>
+
+<p>The supralabials are either six (usually) or seven on a side (<a href="#Table_1">Table 1</a>).
+When seven supralabials are present on either one or both sides, the addition
+results from one of the following conditions: a) 5 is divided to form 5 and 6
+(N = 6); b) 2 and 3 form 2, 3, and 4 (N = 1); c) 5 and 6 form 5, 6, and 7
+(N = 12); d) 4, 5, and 6 form 4, 5, 6, and 7 (N = 1); e) 1 and 2 form 1, 2,
+and 3 (N = 1); f) 1, 2, and 3 form 1, 2, 3, and 4 (N = 1); g) 2 is fused
+with the nasal, and 3 and 4 are reduced to granules (N = 1); h) type of
+addition unknown (N = 5).</p>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap"><a name="Table_1" id="Table_1"></a>Table 1.</span> Variation in Number of Supralabials (N = 245) and Infralabials
+(N = 246) of Tantilla gracilis.</p>
+
+<div class="center">
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Variation of numbers of Supralabials and Infralabials.">
+<tr>
+<th align="center">Number of<br /> Supralabials</th>
+<th align="center">Number of<br /> specimens</th>
+<th align="center">Per cent of<br /> occurrence</th>
+<th align="center">Number of<br /> infralabials</th>
+<th align="center">Number of<br /> specimens</th>
+<th align="center">Per cent of<br /> occurrence</th>
+</tr>
+<tr><td align="center">6-6</td><td align="right" class="pad-right"> 221</td><td align="right" class="pad-right"> 90.2</td><td align="center"> 5-5</td><td align="right" class="pad-right"> 5</td><td align="right" class="pad-right"> 2.0</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center">6-7</td><td align="right" class="pad-right"> 10</td><td align="right" class="pad-right"> 4.1</td><td align="center"> 5-6</td><td align="right" class="pad-right"> 4</td><td align="right" class="pad-right"> 1.6</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center">7-6</td><td align="right" class="pad-right"> 10</td><td align="right" class="pad-right"> 4.1</td><td align="center"> 6-5</td><td align="right" class="pad-right"> 5</td><td align="right" class="pad-right"> 2.0</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center">7-7</td><td align="right" class="pad-right"> 4</td><td align="right" class="pad-right"> 1.6</td><td align="center"> 6-6</td><td align="right" class="pad-right"> 229</td><td align="right" class="pad-right"> 93.1</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center"></td><td align="right" class="pad-right"></td><td align="right" class="pad-right"></td><td align="center"> 6-7</td><td align="right" class="pad-right"> 1</td><td align="right" class="pad-right"> 0.4</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center"></td><td align="right" class="pad-right"></td><td align="right" class="pad-right"></td><td align="center"> 7-6</td><td align="right" class="pad-right"> 2</td><td align="right" class="pad-right"> 0.8</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<p>In three of the four specimens with 7-7 supralabials, the type of addition
+is the same on each side, whereas the other specimen has a different type of
+addition on each side. Of the 23 examples for which the type of addition is
+known, 19 (82.6%) have the increase in number on the posterior half of the
+series.</p>
+
+<p>In one specimen the third supralabial on the right is diagonally divided and
+the resulting upper part does not contact the edge of the lip; hence the specimen
+has 6-6 supralabials.</p>
+
+
+<h3>Infralabials</h3>
+
+<p>The infralabials are five, six (usually), or seven on a side (<a href="#Table_1">Table 1</a>). When
+five infralabials are present on either one or both sides, the reduction results
+from one of the following conditions: a) 2 and 3 are fused (N = 3); b) 1, 2,
+and 3 form 1 and 2 (N = 6); c) 2, 3, and 4 form 2 and 3 (N = 3); d) 5 is
+separated from the edge of the lip by a projection from an adjacent infralabial
+(N = 1); e) 1, 2, 3, and 4 form 1, 2, and 3 (N = 2); f) type of reduction
+unknown (N = 4).</p>
+
+<p>Of the specimens with 5-5 infralabials, two have the same type of reduction
+on each side, one has a different type of reduction on each side, and the type
+of reduction is unknown for the other two specimens.</p>
+
+<p>When seven infralabials are present on either one or both sides, the addition
+can result from infralabials 2 and 3 forming 2, 3, and 4 (N = 2); the type
+of addition is unknown in one specimen.<!-- Page 619 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_619" id="Page_619">[Pg 619]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>In one specimen the second infralabial on the right side is reduced to a
+small wedge-shaped granule and in another specimen several infralabials on
+both sides are irregularly divided horizontally, although both specimens have
+six infralabials on the sides having the abnormalities.</p>
+
+
+<h3>Preoculars</h3>
+
+<p>Of the 245 specimens examined, 242 (98.8%) have one preocular on each
+side. Both preoculars are absent from two specimens, and one specimen has
+1-0. In each case when a preocular is lacking, the "preocular" and prefrontal
+are fused. One specimen having 1-1 preoculars has both of them reduced to
+small vertical slivers.</p>
+
+
+<h3>Postoculars</h3>
+
+<p>Of the 245 specimens examined, 242 (98.8%) have one postocular on each
+side. Postoculars are 2-1 in two specimens and 1-2 in one. In one specimen
+the lower of the two postoculars on each side is very small, being approximately
+1/6 the diameter of the upper one (measured with an ocular micrometer).</p>
+
+
+<h3>Temporals</h3>
+
+<p>Of the 245 specimens examined, 235 (95.9%) have 1 + 1 temporals on each
+side. Four specimens exhibit addition of temporals: one specimen has two
+secondary temporals on the left, and one has a tertiary temporal on the left.
+Two specimens have partly healed head injuries that probably caused atypical
+temporal conditions: one specimen has two primary temporals on the left,
+and one has two secondary temporals on the left and two upper and one lower
+secondary temporal on the right.</p>
+
+<p>Six specimens exhibit reduction of temporals: one lacks a primary temporal
+on the left ("temporal" is fused with sixth supralabial), two lack secondary
+temporals on the right, and three lack secondary temporals on the left. The
+right secondary "temporal" of one specimen is separated from the supralabials
+by a posterior extension of the primary temporal.</p>
+
+<p>Of the 246 specimens examined, 200 (81.3%) have both primary temporals
+in contact with their adjacent postoculars. Thirteen specimens (5.3%) have
+only the left primary temporal in contact with the postocular and eight (3.3%)
+have only the right primary temporal in contact with the postocular. Twenty-five
+specimens (10.2%) have both primary temporals separated from the postoculars.
+Separation of the primary temporal from the postocular, whenever
+it occurs, results from contact of mutual extensions from the adjacent parietal
+and supralabial (usually the fifth).</p>
+
+
+<h3>Nasal</h3>
+
+<p>Of the 243 specimens examined, 237 (97.5%) have the nasal divided below
+the naris on both sides. Three specimens have the nasal completely divided
+(above and below the naris) on only the left side; one specimen has a completely
+divided nasal on only the right side. A groove, but not a complete
+division of the nasal, is present above the left naris of one specimen. One
+specimen lacks the typical division below the naris on both sides, but a complete
+suture is present posterior to the naris and the resulting postnasal scales are,
+according to position, loreals.<!-- Page 620 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_620" id="Page_620">[Pg 620]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<h3>Contact of prefrontal with supralabials</h3>
+
+<p>Of the 243 specimens examined, 147 (60.5%) have the prefrontal separated
+from the labials on each side. Of the remaining 96 specimens, 53 (21.8% of
+the 243) have the prefrontals in contact with the second labial on each side;
+five other variations of this characteristic were observed (<a href="#Table_2">Table 2</a>).</p>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap"><a name="Table_2" id="Table_2"></a>Table 2.</span> Variation in Contact of the Prefrontals and the Labials in 243
+Specimens of Tantilla gracilis.</p>
+
+
+<div class="center">
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Variation in Contact of the Prefrontals and the Labials.">
+<tr>
+<th><span class="smcap">Characteristic</span></th>
+<th>Number of specimens</th>
+<th>Per cent of occurrence</th>
+</tr>
+<tr><td align="left">No contact</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">147</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">60.5</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left">Contact of prefrontal with second labial on right</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">26</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">10.7</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left">Contact of prefrontal with second labial on left</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">10</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">4.1</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left">Contact of prefrontal with each second labial</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">53</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">21.8</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left">Contact of prefrontals with labial two on left and labial three on right</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">1</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">0.4</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left">Contact of prefrontals with labial three on left and labial two on right</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">3</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">1.2</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left">Contact of prefrontals with labial two on left and labials two and three on right</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">3</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">1.2</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>The specimen having the prefrontal in contact with labial 2 on the left and
+labial 3 on the right has seven supralabials on the right, the extra labial being
+added anterior to the eye. In two of the three specimens with the prefrontals
+in contact with labial 3 on the left and labial 2 on the right, the preoculars and
+prefrontals are fused on each side; the third specimen has each preocular
+reduced to a small vertical sliver. Of the three specimens having the prefrontals
+in contact with labial 2 on the left and labials 2 and 3 on the right,
+two are typical with respect to other characteristics that might result in this
+atypical condition, but one has the prefrontals and preoculars fused.</p>
+
+
+<h3>Supralabials entering orbit</h3>
+
+<p>Of the 246 specimens examined, 233 (94.7%) have the third and fourth
+supralabials entering each eye (<a href="#Table_3">Table 3</a>). All snakes that have the fourth and
+fifth labials entering the orbit on either side also have seven supralabials on
+the same side. One specimen having only the fourth labial entering the eye
+on the right side also has six supralabials on that side, but the third supralabial
+is split diagonally and the part contacting the eye does not contact the lip
+and hence is not a supralabial. The remaining three atypical conditions
+(4/3 + 4; 3 + 4/3 + 4 + 5; 3 + 4 + 5/3 + 4) occur only one time each and
+on snakes having 6-6 supralabials.</p>
+
+
+<h3>Contact of mental with chin-shields</h3>
+
+<p>Of the 246 specimens examined, 190 (77.2%) have the mental in contact
+with both anterior chin-shields. The mental is in contact with only the left
+anterior chin-shield in 15 specimens, only the right anterior chin-shield in 2<!-- Page 621 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_621" id="Page_621">[Pg 621]</a></span>
+specimens, and the mental does not contact either anterior chin-shield in 39
+specimens. Separation of the mental and an anterior chin-shield always results
+from the posterior elongation of a first infralabial.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap"><a name="Table_3" id="Table_3"></a>Table 3</span>. Variation in Number of Supralabials Entering the Eye in 246
+Specimens of Tantilla gracilis.</p>
+
+
+
+<div class="center">
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Variation in Number of Supralabials Entering the Eye">
+<tr>
+<th colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Supralabials</span></th>
+<th rowspan="2">Number of<br /> specimens</th>
+<th rowspan="2">Per cent of<br /> occurrence</th>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<th>Left</th>
+<th>Right</th>
+</tr>
+<tr><td align="center">3 + 4</td><td align="center">3 + 4</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">233</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">94.7</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center">4 + 5</td><td align="center">3 + 4</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">4</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">1.6</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center">4</td><td align="center">3 + 4</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">1</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">0.4</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center">3 + 4</td><td align="center">4 + 5</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">5</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">2.0</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center">3 + 4</td><td align="center">4</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">1</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">0.4</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center">3 + 4</td><td align="center">3 + 4 + 5</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">1</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">0.4</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center">3 + 4 + 5</td><td align="center">3 + 4</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">1</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">0.4</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+<h3>Dorsal scale rows</h3>
+
+<p>Of the 245 specimens examined for this characteristic, 228 (92.7%) have
+scale counts of 15-15-15-15-15. The number of scale rows around the neck
+and one head length behind the head are 15 except in a single specimen that
+has 14 scale rows at these three places. The number of scale rows around
+midbody is 15 in 244 of 246 specimens (99.2%); two specimens have 14 scale
+rows around midbody. The number of preanal scale rows is more variable;
+counts of 14 through 17 were recorded. Fourteen specimens have 14 preanal
+scale rows (5.7%), 229 have 15 preanal rows (93.1%), two have 16 preanal rows
+(0.8%), and one has 17 preanal rows (0.4%). Known causes for atypical
+numbers of preanal scale rows are listed in <a href="#Table_4">Table 4</a>. A preanal count at one
+head length anterior to the anus would have omitted most of the above variation
+in numbers of preanal scale rows.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap"><a name="Table_4" id="Table_4"></a>Table 4.</span> Atypical Numbers of Preanal Scale Rows in Specimens of Tantilla
+gracilis.</p>
+
+
+
+<div class="center">
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Atypical Numbers of Preanal Scale Rows.">
+<tr>
+<th>Preanal  scales</th>
+<th>Number of<br /> specimens</th>
+<th><span class="smcap">Cause</span></th>
+<th>Per cent of<br /> occurrence</th>
+</tr>
+<tr><td align="center">14</td><td align="center">10</td><td align="left">Scale rows seven and eight on left fuse within the last five ventrals</td><td align="center">4.1</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center">14</td><td align="center">&ensp;1</td><td align="left">Scale row two on the right is lost adjacent to the penultimate ventral</td><td align="center">0.4</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center">16</td><td align="center">&ensp;1</td><td align="left">Scale row eight on the left divides adjacent to the last ventral</td><td align="center">0.4</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center">16</td><td align="center">&ensp;1</td><td align="left">A scale row is added on the right adjacent to and anterior to the anal plate</td><td align="center">0.4</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center">17</td><td align="center">&ensp;1</td><td align="left">A scale row is added on each side adjacent to and anterior to the anal plate</td><td align="center">0.4</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><!-- Page 622 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_622" id="Page_622">[Pg 622]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The complete dorsal scale formula for KU 83620, a male, is as follows:</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/i_010a.jpg" width="600" height="316"
+alt="[Complete dorsal scale formula.]"
+longdesc="#dorsal_scale_formula_text"
+title="[Complete dorsal scale formula.]" />
+<p class="center"><a href="#dorsal_scale_formula_text">[Textual representation of dorsal scale formula.]</a></p>
+</div>
+
+<p>Specimen 83620 is the only one for which we have determined the complete
+dorsal scale formula. Obviously the formula is complex, and possibly the
+specimen is atypical in this regard. Nevertheless, addition and reduction of
+scale rows is apparent on other specimens and can be easily observed by
+examining specimens under a dissection microscope.</p>
+
+
+<h3>Anal plate</h3>
+
+<p>Of the 246 specimens examined, 232 (94.3%) have the anal plate divided.
+Of the 14 specimens having undivided anal plates, four have an incomplete
+groove anteriorly in the plate.</p>
+
+
+<h3>Ventrals</h3>
+
+<p>Females have from 122 to 137 (mean, 130.8 ± 0.26; N = 107) ventrals;
+males have from 117 to 131 (mean, 122.3 ± 0.21; N = 139; <a href="#FIG_2">Fig. 2</a>). Of the
+246 specimens examined, 29 (11.8%; 11 females and 18 males) have an added<!-- Page 623 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_623" id="Page_623">[Pg 623]</a></span>
+half-ventral immediately anterior to the anal plate. Of these specimens, 27
+have the added half-ventral on the left side and two have it on the right. Five
+specimens have the last ventral divided similar to the normal division of the
+anal plate. One specimen has the last ventral incompletely divided transversely.
+Excluding the last ventral, seven specimens have divided ventrals
+(half-ventrals). Four of these specimens have added half-ventrals on the
+right side (two specimens with one half-ventral each, one specimen with two
+half-ventrals, and one specimen with three half-ventrals), and four have added
+half-ventrals on the left side (one half-ventral on each specimen).</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;">
+<a name="FIG_2" id="FIG_2"></a>
+<a href="images/i_010b.jpg"><img src="images/i_010b_tn.jpg" width="400" height="205" alt="" title="[Linked to larger image of Figure 2.]" /></a>
+<span class="caption">Fig. 2. Number of ventrals in females and males of T. gracilis.</span>
+</div>
+
+
+
+<h3>Subcaudals</h3>
+
+<p>Females have from 37 to 47 (mean, 42.0 ± 0.20; N = 79) subcaudals;
+males have from 43 to 55 (mean, 48.4 ± 0.23; N = 109; <a href="#FIG_3">Fig. 3</a>). Of the 187
+specimens examined, 13 (7.0%) have the last pair of subcaudals fused. One
+specimen has left subcaudal 28 fused with both adjacent subcaudals (also
+fused) on the right. While reading proof we found two omissions in <a href="#FIG_3">Fig. 3</a>;
+there should be illustrated two males with 43 subcaudals and three males with
+44 subcaudals.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;">
+<a name="FIG_3" id="FIG_3"></a>
+<a href="images/i_011.jpg"><img src="images/i_011_tn.jpg" width="400" height="195" alt="" title="[Linked to larger image of Figure 3.]" /></a>
+<span class="caption">Fig. 3. Number of subcaudals in females and males of <i>T. gracilis</i>.</span>
+</div>
+
+
+<h3>Ventrals minus subcaudals</h3>
+
+<p>The value for number of ventrals minus the number of subcaudals varies
+from 80 to 96 (mean, 88.8 ± 0.39) for 79 females, and from 67 to 83 (mean,
+73.8 ± 0.28) for 109 males.</p>
+
+
+<h3>Additional scale characteristics</h3>
+
+<p>Of the 246 specimens examined, four (1.6%) have the rostral in contact with
+the left prefrontal, and hence the internasals are separated from one another.
+One snake has approximately one-fourth (anteriorly) of the suture between
+the parietals fused. One specimen has the posterior edge of the frontal fused
+with the left parietal. One specimen has the parietal shield on the right side
+abbreviated posteriorly. One specimen has both prefrontals fused with the
+frontal, although an incomplete suture is present.<!-- Page 624 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_624" id="Page_624">[Pg 624]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<h3>Maxillary characteristics (<i>Figs. <a href="#FIG_4">4</a> and <a href="#FIG_5">5</a></i>)</h3>
+
+<p>Maxillary teeth anterior to fangs 10-14 (mean, 12.1; N = 20); tooth-socket
+number 6.5-8.5 (mean, 7.2; N = 20) directly opposite distal tip of suborbital
+process; lateral anterior foramina 1-3 (mean, 1.8; N = 20); tooth number 6-9
+(mean, 6.9; N = 12) directly below center of posterior foramen (if only two
+foramina present). Three specimens lack a diastema and 17 specimens have
+a diastema. The anterior and posterior edges of the suborbital process are
+parallel in two specimens and not parallel in 14; the process is broken in four
+specimens. The lengths (anterior to posterior) of the lateral anterior foramina
+(if only two are present) are approximately equal in six specimens, and in six
+the anteriormost one is the longest; six specimens have one foramen and two
+specimens have three foramina. All specimens examined have two fangs, with
+the posterior edge of the lateral flange forming an obtuse angle.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 370px;">
+<a name="FIG_4" id="FIG_4"></a>
+<a href="images/i_012.jpg"><img src="images/i_012_tn.jpg" width="370" height="249" alt="" title="[Linked to larger image of Figure 4.]" /></a>
+<span class="caption">Fig. 4. Lateral view of right maxilla of <i>T. gracilis</i> (KU 83484), × 39.
+Actual length of bone is 2.44 mm. A. Detail of bone. B. Outline sketch
+of bone to illustrate characteristics examined. Lateral anterior foramina
+(LF); fangs (F); &quot;prediastemal&quot; maxillary teeth (MT); lateral flange
+(PLF); perpendicular lines, A-B and C-D, are used to determine which
+tooth-socket occurs directly below the center of the posterior foramen (the
+specimen illustrated is atypical because there are three foramina present).</span>
+</div>
+
+<hr />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 366px;">
+<a name="FIG_5" id="FIG_5"></a>
+<a href="images/i_013.jpg"><img src="images/i_013_tn.jpg" width="366" height="214" alt="" title="[Linked to larger image of Figure 5.]" /></a>
+<span class="caption">Fig. 5. Ventral view of right maxilla of <i>T. gracilis</i> (KU 83484), × 39.
+Actual length of bone is 2.44 mm. A. Detail of bone. B. Outline sketch
+of bone to illustrate characteristics examined. Lateral flange (PLF) forms
+an obtuse angle (ADC) with main axis of bone (AB); a reference line
+(2), perpendicular to the main axis of the bone, is used to locate the tooth-socket
+directly opposite the tip of the suborbital process (SOP); the
+anterior and posterior edges of the suborbital process are not parallel at
+any point (reference lines 1 and 3).</span>
+</div>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h3>Discussion and Conclusions</h3>
+
+<p>Generic characteristics of <i>Tantilla</i> are as follows: size small, body slender,
+head not noticeably distinct from body; preoculars one; postoculars one or two;
+nasals two; loreal absent; smooth dorsal scales in 15 rows; anal plate usually
+divided but sometimes single; subcaudals paired; usually two enlarged, posterior,
+grooved fangs on the maxilla separated by a small diastema from the
+other maxillary teeth (Baird and Girard, 1853:131; Cope, 1900:1110; Dunn,
+1928:24; Blanchard, 1938:369; Schmidt and Davis, 1941:268; Wright and
+Wright, 1957:722; Conant, 1958:180). Of these characteristics, only the fol<!-- Page 625 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_625" id="Page_625">[Pg 625]</a></span>lowing
+were invariable in our sample: size small, body slender, head not noticeably
+distinct from body; postoculars one or two; smooth dorsal scales; posterior
+grooved fangs on maxilla. The dorsal scales, anal, and subcaudals were
+"correct" 92 per cent of the time; the preoculars and nasals were "correct" 97
+per cent of the time.</p>
+
+<p><i>Tantilla</i> reportedly has two nasals (Baird and Girard, 1853:131; Cope,
+1900:1110; Wright and Wright, 1957:722). <i>Tantilla gracilis</i> usually has a
+single nasal that is divided below the naris; variation in this characteristic is
+discussed above.</p>
+
+<p>In addition to the generic characteristics, specific characteristics for <i>T.
+gracilis</i> are as follows: supralabials 5-8 (usually 6); supralabials 3 and 4 entering
+orbit; infralabials 5-7 (usually 6); temporals 1 + 1; ventrals 115-138 in
+females, 106-132 in males; subcaudals 33-53 in females, 40-57 in males; tail
+length 13-27 per cent total length in females, 15-30 per cent in males (Baird
+and Girard, 1853:132; Cope, 1900:1111-12; Force, 1935:653-54; Taylor, 1936:337-38;
+Blanchard, 1938:371-72; Kirn, Burger, and Smith, 1949:240-49).
+Excepting the number of temporals and the supralabials entering the orbit,
+the characteristics of the specimens in our sample are within the ranges of
+variation mentioned above. Of the 10 maxillary characteristics studied, no
+variation was observed in number of fangs or angle of lateral flange.</p>
+
+<p>Because our data have some bearing on the problem of geographic variation
+in <i>T. gracilis</i> and the recognition of subspecies, we comment briefly on the
+status of subspecies in <i>T. gracilis</i>. Kirn, Burger and Smith (1949) proposed
+the recognition of two subspecies of <i>Tantilla gracilis</i> (<i>T. g. gracilis</i> Baird and
+Girard and <i>T. g. hallowelli</i> Cope). These subspecies were diagnosed on the<!-- Page 626 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_626" id="Page_626">[Pg 626]</a></span>
+basis of differences in ventrals, subcaudals, and the ratio of tail length to total
+length; sexual dimorphism in each characteristic was considered. We do not
+recognize these subspecies for the reasons given below.</p>
+
+<p>The data of Kirn <i>et al.</i> (1949) appear to be presented inaccurately in part.
+Both of us independently recalculated the mean given for each characteristic
+for each subspecies, using the data in figures 2-4 of Kirn <i>et al.</i> (1949:242,
+244-245). Of their 12 means presented (table 1, p. 247) only two agree with
+our recalculated means, although the means calculated by each of us independently
+are in complete agreement (<a href="#Table_5">Table 5</a>). Also, we independently
+calculated the percentages of specimens of each "subspecies" that are included
+in the ranges of variation given in their diagnoses (<a href="#Table_5">Table 5</a>); again, our independent
+calculations are in complete agreement. In our opinion the differences
+between the populations for the characteristics analyzed do not warrant
+recognition of subspecies (<a href="#FIG_6">Fig. 6</a>).</p>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap"><a name="Table_5" id="Table_5"></a>Table 5.</span> Means of "Diagnostic" Characteristics of T. g. gracilis Baird and
+Girard and T. g. hallowelli Cope.</p>
+
+<div class="center">
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Means of Diagnostic Characteristics of T. g. gracilis Baird and
+Girard and T. g. hallowelli Cope.">
+<tr>
+<th rowspan="2"><span class="smcap">Characteristics</span></th>
+<th colspan="3"><i>T. g. gracilis</i></th>
+<th colspan="3"><i>T. g. hallowelli</i></th>
+</tr><tr>
+<th>Mean (Kirn, <i>et al.</i> 1949)</th>
+<th>Mean (Kirn, <i>et al.</i>) recalculated by us</th>
+<th>Per cent specimens of Kirn, <i>et al.</i> included their diagnosis</th>
+<th>Mean (Kirn, <i>et al.</i> in 1949)</th>
+<th>Mean (Kirn, <i>et al.</i>) recalculated by us</th>
+<th>Per cent specimens of Kirn, <i>et al.</i> included in their diagnosis</th>
+</tr>
+<tr><td align="left">Ventrals&mdash;females</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">125.67</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">125.71</td><td align="center">69.4</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">130.07</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">130.07</td><td align="center">79.6</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left">Ventrals&mdash;males</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">115.97</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">116.61</td><td align="center">70.0</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">121.22</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">120.87</td><td align="center">69.7</td></tr>
+<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left">Caudals&mdash;females</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">40.99</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">40.82</td><td align="center">62.8</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">46.79</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">43.82</td><td align="center">77.4</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left">Caudals&mdash;males</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">47.75</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">48.29</td><td align="center">78.3</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">51.67</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">50.29</td><td align="center">51.0</td></tr>
+<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left">Tail L./total L.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left" style="padding-left:1em">females</td><td align="right">.1976</td><td align="right">.1976</td><td align="center">69.0</td><td align="right">.2084</td><td align="right">.2076</td><td align="center">74.2</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left">Tail L./total L.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left" style="padding-left:1em">males</td><td align="right">.2336</td><td align="right">.2362</td><td align="center">56.1</td><td align="right">.2477</td><td align="right">.2423</td><td align="center">79.6</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+<hr />
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;">
+<a name="FIG_6" id="FIG_6"></a>
+<a href="images/i_015.jpg"><img src="images/i_015_tn.jpg" width="400" height="232" alt="" title="[Linked to larger image of Figure 6.]" /></a>
+<span class="caption">Fig. 6. Frequency polygons presenting ratios of tail length to total length
+for males of <i>T. g. gracilis</i> and <i>T. g. hallowelli</i> from Kirn,<i> et al.</i> (1949).
+The dotted vertical lines represent the means given by Kirn, <i>et al.</i> (1949)
+for <i>gracilis</i> (left) and <i>hallowelli</i> (right); the solid vertical lines represent
+the recalculated means for <i>gracilis</i> and <i>hallowelli</i>, respectively, using the
+data of Kirn, <i>et al.</i> The hatched bars represent the range included by
+Kirn, <i>et al.</i> (1949) in their diagnoses of <i>gracilis</i> (left) and <i>hallowelli</i>
+(right).</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>The data presented by Kirn <i>et al.</i> do not demonstrate intergradation between
+two populations. Moreover, the diagnostic ranges of the number of subcaudals
+in males of <i>hallowelli</i> and the ratio of tail length to total length in males of
+<i>gracilis</i> do not include the recalculated means for those characteristics. Furthermore,
+the means for the following characteristics are dangerously close to being
+excluded from their respective "diagnostic" ranges: in <i>hallowelli</i>, the number
+of ventrals in males; in <i>gracilis</i>, the number of subcaudals in females, and the
+ratio of tail length to total length in females. It is incongruous that Kirn <i>et al.</i>
+state (p. 243) that "the coefficient of geographic divergence is .6 per degree
+latitude" for ventrals, and on the same page they state that "The average
+number of ventrals gradually increases toward the north in <i>Tantilla gracilis</i>
+except in southern Oklahoma and central Arkansas (the area of intergradation
+between <i>T. g. gracilis</i> and <i>T. g. hallowelli</i>) where the change seems to be more
+abrupt." The data presented in Kirn <i>et al.</i> (1949) do not demonstrate an
+abrupt change.</p>
+
+<p>The present sample of <i>T. gracilis</i> from Kansas is clearly within the geographic
+range of <i>T. g. hallowelli</i> as mapped by Kirn <i>et al.</i> (1949:241). How<!-- Page 627 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_627" id="Page_627">[Pg 627]</a></span>ever,
+for the sample from Kansas, the mean number of subcaudals of males is
+well within the diagnostic range for <i>T. g. gracilis</i> (<a href="#Table_6">Table 6</a>), the mean number
+of subcaudals of females is closer to the mean of <i>gracilis</i> than it is to the mean
+of <i>hallowelli</i> (<a href="#Table_5">Table 5</a>), and the mean of the ratio of tail length to total length
+of both sexes is within or very close to the diagnostic range for <i>gracilis</i>
+(<a href="#Table_6">Table 6</a>).</p>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap"><a name="Table_6" id="Table_6"></a>Table 6.</span> Comparison of the Means of Some Characteristics of the Sample of
+<i>Tantilla gracilis</i> from Kansas (Our Data) with Some of the Diagnostic Characteristics
+(Kirn <i>et al.</i>, 1949:240) of <i>Tantilla gracilis gracilis</i>.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<div class="center">
+<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" summary="Comparison of the Means of Some Characteristics.">
+<tr>
+<th><span class="smcap">Characteristic</span></th>
+<th>Diagnostic range for<br /> <i>T. g. gracilis</i></th>
+<th>Mean of the sample<br /> ("<i>T. g. hallowelli</i>")<br /> from Kansas</th>
+</tr>
+<tr><td align="left">No. of subcaudals <br />&emsp;males</td><td align="center">40-50</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">48.4&nbsp;&ensp;(N = 109)</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left">Tail L./ Total L. <br />&emsp;females</td><td align="center">.160-.200</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">.20&ensp;&nbsp;(N = 79)</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left">Tail L./ Total L. <br />&emsp;males</td><td align="center">.200-.235</td><td align="right" class="pad-right">.23 (N = 109)</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+<p>Smith and Sanders (1952:218) pointed out an error in the range of subcaudals
+in female <i>T. g. gracilis</i> as stated in table 1 (p. 247) of Kirn <i>et al.</i> We<!-- Page 628 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_628" id="Page_628">[Pg 628]</a></span>
+add some additional corrections that should be made on the same page. In
+table two, column two ("Sex"), the words "male" and "female" are reversed
+for each characteristic. Also, in table two, column four ("Means from data of
+Force"), the means for caudals should be corrected from 33.61 to 43.61 in
+females and from 39.99 to 50.32 in males, as based on our recalculations from
+Force's data; we did not recalculate the means of Force's data for the other
+characteristics.</p>
+
+<p>The discussion above demonstrates that the number of subcaudals and the
+ratio of tail length to total length are weak characteristics for diagnosing <i>T. g.
+gracilis</i> and <i>T. g. hallowelli</i>. The only remaining diagnostic characteristic given
+by Kirn <i>et al.</i> (1949) is the number of ventrals. Nevertheless, a step-cline in
+the number of ventrals, if one exists, is yet to be demonstrated. Therefore, we
+completely agree with Dowling (1957:32), who stated that "... the overlap
+in each character is so great that any subspecific differences appear to be as
+yet undefined. It is here suggested that <i>T. gracilis</i> be retained as binomial...."<!-- Page 629 --><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_629" id="Page_629">[Pg 629]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<h2><a name="LITERATURE_CITED" id="LITERATURE_CITED"></a>LITERATURE CITED</h2>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Baird, S. F.</span> and <span class="smcap">Girard, C.</span></p>
+
+<blockquote><p>1853. Catalogue of North American Reptiles in the museum of the
+Smithsonian Institution. Part I.&mdash;Serpents. Smithsonian Misc.
+Colls., 2:1-172.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Blanchard, F. N.</span></p>
+
+<blockquote><p>1938. Snakes of the genus <i>Tantilla</i> in the United States. Zool. Ser. Field
+Mus. Nat. Hist., 20(28):369-376.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Conant, R.</span></p>
+
+<blockquote><p>1958. A field guide to reptiles and amphibians. Houghton Mifflin Co.,
+Boston, 366 pp.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Cope, E. D.</span></p>
+
+<blockquote><p>1900. The crocodilians, lizards, and snakes of North America. U. S. Nat.
+Mus. Rept. (1898), 153-1270.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Dowling, H. G.</span></p>
+
+<blockquote><p>1951. A proposed standard system of counting ventrals in snakes.
+British J. Herpetology, 1(5):97-99.</p>
+
+<p>1957. A review of the amphibians and reptiles of Arkansas. Occas.
+Paps. Univ. Arkansas Mus., No. 3:1-51.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Dunn, E. R.</span></p>
+
+<blockquote><p>1928. A tentative key and arrangement of the American genera of Colubridae.
+Bull. Antivenin Inst. Amer., 2 (147):18-24.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Force, E. R.</span></p>
+
+<blockquote><p>1935. A local study of the opisthoglyph snake <i>Tantilla gracilis</i> Baird and
+Girard. Papers Michigan Acad. Sci., Arts and Letters, 20:645-659.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Kirn, A. J.</span>, <span class="smcap">Burger, W. L.</span>, and <span class="smcap">Smith, H. M.</span></p>
+
+<blockquote><p>1949. The subspecies of <i>Tantilla gracilis</i>. Amer. Midl. Nat., 42(1):238-251.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Peters, J. A.</span></p>
+
+<blockquote><p>1960. The snakes of the subfamily Dipsadinae. Misc. Pubis. Mus. Zool.,
+Univ. Michigan, No. 114:1-224.</p>
+
+<p>1964. Dictionary of herpetology. Hafner Publ. Co., New York, 392 pp.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Schmidt, K. P.</span> and <span class="smcap">Davis, D. D.</span></p>
+
+<blockquote><p>1941. Field book of snakes. G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 365 pp.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Smith, H. M.</span> and <span class="smcap">Sanders, O.</span></p>
+
+<blockquote><p>1952. Distributional data on Texan amphibians and reptiles. Texas J. Sci.,
+4(2):204-219.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Taylor, E. H.</span></p>
+
+<blockquote><p>1936. Notes and comments on certain American and Mexican snakes of
+the genus <i>Tantilla</i>, with descriptions of new species. Trans. Kansas
+Acad. Sci., 39:335-348.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Wright, A. H.</span> and <span class="smcap">Wright, A. A.</span></p>
+
+<blockquote><p>1957. Handbook of snakes. Comstock Publ. Assoc, Cornell, Vol. II, pp.
+565-1105.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><i>Department of Biology, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 87106,
+and Department of Zoology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, 85721.</i></p>
+
+<p><i>Transmitted July 11, 1967.</i></p>
+
+<div class="trans-note">
+<a name="dorsal_scale_formula_text" id="dorsal_scale_formula_text"></a>
+<h4>Textual representation of complete dorsal scale formula on <a href="#Page_622">page 622</a>.</h4>
+
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="[Textual representation of complete dorsap scale formula.]">
+<tr><td align="right" rowspan="2">15</td><td align="center">6 + 7(2)</td><td align="right" rowspan="2">13</td><td align="center">+ 7(4)</td><td align="right" rowspan="2">14</td><td align="center">&nbsp;</td><td align="right" rowspan="2">15</td><td align="center">6 + 7(11)</td><td align="right" rowspan="2">13</td><td align="center">&nbsp;</td><td align="left" rowspan="2">,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center" class="bt">6 + 7(2)</td><td align="center" class="bt">&nbsp;</td><td align="center" class="bt">+7(5)</td><td align="center" class="bt">6 + 7(11)</td><td align="center" class="bt">6 = 6 + 7(17)</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right" rowspan="2">14</td><td align="center">&nbsp;</td><td align="right" rowspan="2">13</td><td align="center">&nbsp;</td><td align="left" rowspan="2">,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center" class="bt">6 + 7(18)</td><td align="center" class="bt">+7(25)</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right" rowspan="2">14</td><td align="center">+ 7(26)</td><td align="right" rowspan="2">15</td><td align="center">&nbsp;</td><td align="right" rowspan="2">14</td><td align="center">6 + 7(38)</td><td align="right" rowspan="2">13</td><td align="center">+7(39)</td><td align="right" rowspan="2">14</td><td align="center">&nbsp;</td><td align="center" rowspan="2">,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center" class="bt">&nbsp;</td><td align="center" class="bt">6 + 7(36)</td><td align="center" class="bt">&nbsp;</td><td align="center" class="bt">&nbsp;</td><td align="center" class="bt">+7(42)</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right" rowspan="2">15</td><td align="center">&nbsp;</td><td align="right" rowspan="2">14</td><td align="center">&nbsp;</td><td align="left" rowspan="2">,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center" class="bt">-6(45)</td><td align="center" class="bt">+7(53)</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right" rowspan="2">15</td><td align="center">7 + 8(67)</td><td align="right" rowspan="2">14</td><td align="center">+ 7(69)</td><td align="right" rowspan="2">15</td><td align="center">&nbsp;</td><td align="right" rowspan="2">14</td><td align="center">&nbsp;</td><td align="right" rowspan="2">15</td><td align="center">&nbsp;</td><td align="left" rowspan="2">,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center" class="bt">&nbsp;</td><td align="center" class="bt">&nbsp;</td><td align="center" class="bt">6 + 7(90)</td><td align="center" class="bt">+7(93)</td><td align="center" class="bt">6 + 7(99)</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="right" rowspan="2">14</td><td align="center">&nbsp;</td><td align="left" colspan="2" rowspan="2">15(122).</td></tr>
+<tr><td align="center" class="bt">+ 7(100)</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Morphological Variation in a
+Population of the Snake, Tantilla gracilis Baird and Girard, by Laurence M. Hardy and Charles J. Cole
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATION--SNAKE ***
+
+***** This file should be named 34127-h.htm or 34127-h.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        https://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/1/2/34127/
+
+Produced by Simon Gardner, Chris Curnow, Joseph Cooper and
+the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+https://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
+
+</pre>
+
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/34127-h/images/i_005.jpg b/34127-h/images/i_005.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2449562
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34127-h/images/i_005.jpg
diff --git a/34127-h/images/i_005_tn.jpg b/34127-h/images/i_005_tn.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0fd615a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34127-h/images/i_005_tn.jpg
diff --git a/34127-h/images/i_010a.jpg b/34127-h/images/i_010a.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3968c36
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34127-h/images/i_010a.jpg
diff --git a/34127-h/images/i_010b.jpg b/34127-h/images/i_010b.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d83f0ff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34127-h/images/i_010b.jpg
diff --git a/34127-h/images/i_010b_tn.jpg b/34127-h/images/i_010b_tn.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ec23f5f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34127-h/images/i_010b_tn.jpg
diff --git a/34127-h/images/i_011.jpg b/34127-h/images/i_011.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..abbbab6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34127-h/images/i_011.jpg
diff --git a/34127-h/images/i_011_tn.jpg b/34127-h/images/i_011_tn.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5b1aec6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34127-h/images/i_011_tn.jpg
diff --git a/34127-h/images/i_012.jpg b/34127-h/images/i_012.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..de62095
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34127-h/images/i_012.jpg
diff --git a/34127-h/images/i_012_tn.jpg b/34127-h/images/i_012_tn.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7dcf4fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34127-h/images/i_012_tn.jpg
diff --git a/34127-h/images/i_013.jpg b/34127-h/images/i_013.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c55231f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34127-h/images/i_013.jpg
diff --git a/34127-h/images/i_013_tn.jpg b/34127-h/images/i_013_tn.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9ef8db1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34127-h/images/i_013_tn.jpg
diff --git a/34127-h/images/i_015.jpg b/34127-h/images/i_015.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..eb5717b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34127-h/images/i_015.jpg
diff --git a/34127-h/images/i_015_tn.jpg b/34127-h/images/i_015_tn.jpg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0f028bf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34127-h/images/i_015_tn.jpg
diff --git a/34127.txt b/34127.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..37cd666
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34127.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,1272 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Morphological Variation in a Population of
+the Snake, Tantilla gracilis Baird and Girard, by Laurence M. Hardy and Charles J. Cole
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Morphological Variation in a Population of the Snake, Tantilla gracilis Baird and Girard
+
+Author: Laurence M. Hardy
+        Charles J. Cole
+
+Release Date: October 24, 2010 [EBook #34127]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATION--SNAKE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Simon Gardner, Chris Curnow, Joseph Cooper and
+the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Notes
+
+This Plain Text version represents italic typeface with _underscores_
+and small caps typeface with ALL CAPS.
+
+Only a few changes were necessary to the text in the case of
+typographical errors, as follows:
+
+Page 623 Table 3 column heading: changed "or" to "of" (Number of
+specimens).
+
+Page 625: changed "percent" to "per cent" (92 per cent of the time).
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+
+                    UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS PUBLICATIONS
+                        MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
+
+
+                 Volume 17, No. 15, pp. 613-629, 6 figs.
+                               May 14, 1968
+
+
+                 Morphological Variation in a Population
+                               of the Snake,
+                    Tantilla gracilis Baird and Girard
+
+
+                                   BY
+
+
+                  LAURENCE M. HARDY AND CHARLES J. COLE
+
+
+                          UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
+                                LAWRENCE
+                                  1968
+
+
+
+
+     UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS PUBLICATIONS, MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
+
+   Editors: E. Raymond Hall, Chairman, Frank B. Cross, Henry S. Fitch,
+                            J. Knox Jones, Jr.
+
+
+                 Volume 17, No. 15, pp. 613-629, 6 figs.
+                         Published May 14, 1968
+
+
+                          University of Kansas
+                            Lawrence, Kansas
+
+
+                               PRINTED BY
+                 ROBERT R. (BOB) SANDERS, STATE PRINTER
+                             TOPEKA, KANSAS
+                                  1968
+
+                                 31-9422
+
+
+
+
+Morphological Variation in a Population of the Snake, Tantilla gracilis
+Baird and Girard
+
+By
+
+LAURENCE M. HARDY AND CHARLES J. COLE
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+
+Variation of selected taxonomic characteristics of flat-headed snakes
+(_Tantilla gracilis_ Baird and Girard) from several midwestern states
+was studied by Force (1935), but she did not attempt a comprehensive
+evaluation. Taylor (1936) reported on variation in _T. gracilis_ from
+various localities in Kansas; Kirn, Burger, and Smith (1949) studied
+selected structures of specimens of _T. gracilis_ from throughout its
+range. The present study was undertaken to determine the variation in
+both currently used and potential taxonomic characteristics of _T.
+gracilis_ from one locality.
+
+We are thankful to Charles W. Myers, Gorgas Memorial Laboratory, for
+suggestions concerning characteristics examined. We are indebted to Drs.
+William G. Degenhardt, University of New Mexico, Herndon G. Dowling, New
+York Zoological Society, Charles H. Lowe, University of Arizona, and
+Richard G. Zweifel, American Museum of Natural History, for criticizing
+the manuscript. Dr. William E. Duellman permitted us to study specimens
+in the University of Kansas Museum of Natural History.
+
+
+Materials and Methods
+
+The specimens examined were donated to the Museum of Natural History,
+University of Kansas, by the late Paul Anderson of Independence,
+Missouri. All specimens (KU numbers 83435-83680; N = 246) were collected
+in the vicinity of Winfield, Cowley County, Kansas, by Charles E. Burt
+and students from Southwestern College in the period from 1938 to 1941,
+inclusive.
+
+Both authors gathered data on most characteristics and examined each
+atypical individual. Hardy determined characters of the maxillae (which
+were removed; N = 20), body and total lengths, and the scale formula of
+KU 83620.
+
+We examined 22 characteristics of external morphology and 10 of the
+maxillae. All paired characteristics (excepting those of the maxillae)
+were examined on both sides of each snake and are referred to from the
+left side to the right side (for example, "preoculars 1-2" means there
+is one preocular on the left side and there are two on the right).
+Oviducts and oviducal eggs were observed on specimens designated as
+females; hemipenes were examined on specimens designated as males. Total
+length was measured by straightening each snake along a 300 mm. scale.
+Tail length was measured only on snakes having complete tails, and body
+length (snout-vent) was considered as total length minus tail length.
+The body length was measured on snakes having incomplete tails.
+
+Supralabials, infralabials, preoculars and postoculars were counted, and
+we followed Peters (1960:9) in determining the nature of the temporals.
+Occasionally the primary (anterior) temporal is separated from the
+postocular by contact of the parietal and a supralabial (Taylor,
+1936:338). We followed Peters (1964:219-220) in determining
+characteristics of the nasal and we looked for contact of the prefrontal
+with particular supralabials (Taylor, 1936:338). We determined which
+supralabials are in contact with the eye and whether the mental is in
+contact with the anterior pair of chin-shields.
+
+The number of rows of dorsal scales was determined at five locations: a)
+around the neck--counts were made from each side diagonally and
+posteriorly from the anteriormost dorsal scale in contact with the first
+ventral (see below)--counts from the left and right sides are the first
+and second counts, respectively, recorded in the scale formula; b) one
+head length posterior to head--counts were made either diagonally and
+posteriorly or in a zig-zag pattern, beginning at the end of the second
+count around the neck--this is the third count recorded in the scale
+formula; c) midbody (approximated)--counts were made either diagonally
+and posteriorly or in a zig-zag pattern--this is the fourth count in the
+scale formula; d) anterior to anus (preanal)--counts were made in a
+zig-zag pattern beginning on one side and ending on the other at the
+first dorsal scale in contact with the anal plate--this is the fifth
+count in the scale formula.
+
+We followed the method of Dowling (1951:98-99) in counting ventrals, and
+the anal plate was determined as entire, divided, or partly divided.
+Subcaudals were counted on only the right side beginning at the first
+scale that contacts a corresponding scale from the opposite side; fusion
+of particular pairs of subcaudals was determined. The "spine" at the tip
+of the tail was not counted. The head scutellation of each specimen was
+examined for abnormalities.
+
+We determined the number of fangs and the number of maxillary teeth
+anterior to them and recorded the presence or absence of a diastema
+between the anterior fang and the maxillary tooth immediately preceding
+it. The diastema, if present, is a space distinctly wider than the
+spaces separating the prediastemal teeth.
+
+The point of intersection of two perpendicular lines of an ocular grid
+determined which tooth-socket occurs directly opposite the distal tip of
+the suborbital process (Fig. 5b), but if that point occurs between two
+sockets then the number recorded was the number of the tooth immediately
+anterior to that point plus one-half.
+
+The anterior and posterior edges of the suborbital process were
+determined as parallel or not at any point by aligning them with
+parallel lines on an ocular grid (Fig. 5b).
+
+The angle of the posterior edge of the lateral flange was determined as
+an acute, obtuse, or right angle by fitting it to a pair of
+perpendicular lines of an ocular grid (Fig. 5b).
+
+The number of lateral anterior foramina (Fig. 4b) was determined. If
+only two are present, their lengths (anterior to posterior) were
+compared by measuring them with an ocular micrometer. Also, if two
+lateral anterior foramina are present, the point of intersection of two
+perpendicular lines of an ocular grid determined which tooth-socket
+occurs directly below the center of the posterior foramen (Fig. 4b).
+
+
+
+
+RESULTS
+
+
+General Characteristics
+
+From the data given by Force (1935), Taylor (1936), and Kirn _et al._
+(1949), and from our own data, we conclude that a typical specimen of
+_gracilis_, meaning a specimen having the usual characteristics of the
+species, has the following characteristics in combination: supralabials
+6-6; infralabials 6-6; preoculars 1-1; postoculars 1-1; temporals 1 + 1
+on each side; nasal divided below naris; supralabials 3 + 4 entering
+orbit; mental in contact with chin-shields; all five dorsal scale counts
+15; and plate divided. (In the present work we use the words usual,
+unusual, typical, and atypical with neither quotation marks nor
+apology).
+
+Of the 244 specimens on which we could examine each of these
+characteristics, only 125 (51.2%) have all of the typical
+characteristics in combination. The 119 specimens that do not possess
+all of the typical characteristics in combination include 31 (12.7% of
+the 244) that lack at least two of the typical characteristics.
+
+
+Sex
+
+The sample (N = 246) is composed of 107 (43.5%) females and 139 (56.5%)
+males.
+
+
+Measurements
+
+Females have total lengths from 96 to 244 mm. (mean, 173.3; N = 79). One
+female (KU 83480) measuring 244 mm. may be the longest specimen known
+(Conant, 1958, reports the longest as 9-1/8 inches--approximately 232
+mm.). Males have total lengths from 96 to 215 mm. (mean, 162.4; N =
+109). Females have tail lengths from 16 to 50 mm. (mean, 34.6; N = 79),
+and males have tail lengths from 21 to 53 mm. (mean, 37.8; N = 109).
+
+The ratio of tail length to total length in females is from 0.17 to 0.22
+(mean, 0.20; N = 79); in males it is from 0.21 to 0.27 (mean, 0.23; N =
+109; Fig. 1). Juveniles (those less than 125 mm. in total length
+according to Force, 1935: tables 1 and 2) have proportionally shorter
+tails than do adults; the ratio of tail length divided by total length
+is 0.17-0.21 (mean, 0.18; N = 14) in females and 0.21-0.23 (mean, 0.22;
+N = 16) in males. Adult females (125 mm. or more in total length) have
+ratios from 0.18 to 0.22 (mean, 0.20; N = 65) and adult males have
+ratios from 0.21 to 0.27 (mean, 0.23; N = 93).
+
+[Illustration: FIG. 1. Ratio of tail length to total length in females
+and males of _T. gracilis_.]
+
+Of the 246 specimens examined, 58 have incomplete tails. Of these 58
+specimens, six had freshly broken tails, so we assume that 52 (21.1% of
+the 246) have incomplete tails resulting from natural causes; the
+remaining six specimens could have had their tails broken at or soon
+after capture, assuming that none of the snakes was retained in
+captivity for an extended period.
+
+
+Supralabials
+
+The supralabials are either six (usually) or seven on a side (Table 1).
+When seven supralabials are present on either one or both sides, the
+addition results from one of the following conditions: a) 5 is divided
+to form 5 and 6 (N = 6); b) 2 and 3 form 2, 3, and 4 (N = 1); c) 5 and 6
+form 5, 6, and 7 (N = 12); d) 4, 5, and 6 form 4, 5, 6, and 7 (N = 1);
+e) 1 and 2 form 1, 2, and 3 (N = 1); f) 1, 2, and 3 form 1, 2, 3, and 4
+(N = 1); g) 2 is fused with the nasal, and 3 and 4 are reduced to
+granules (N = 1); h) type of addition unknown (N = 5).
+
+TABLE 1. Variation in Number of Supralabials (N = 245) and
+Infralabials (N = 246) of Tantilla gracilis.
+
+  ------------+----------+-----------+------------+---------+----------
+  Number      |Number    |Per cent   |Number      |Number   |Per cent
+  of          |of        |of         |of          |of       |of
+  Supralabials|specimens |occurrence |infralabials|specimens|occurrence
+  ------------+----------+-----------+------------+---------+----------
+        6-6   |    221   |   90.2    |     5-5    |    5    |   2.0
+        6-7   |     10   |    4.1    |     5-6    |    4    |   1.6
+        7-6   |     10   |    4.1    |     6-5    |    5    |   2.0
+        7-7   |      4   |    1.6    |     6-6    |  229    |  93.1
+              |          |           |     6-7    |    1    |   0.4
+              |          |           |     7-6    |    2    |   0.8
+  ------------+----------+-----------+------------+---------+----------
+
+In three of the four specimens with 7-7 supralabials, the type of
+addition is the same on each side, whereas the other specimen has a
+different type of addition on each side. Of the 23 examples for which
+the type of addition is known, 19 (82.6%) have the increase in number on
+the posterior half of the series.
+
+In one specimen the third supralabial on the right is diagonally divided
+and the resulting upper part does not contact the edge of the lip; hence
+the specimen has 6-6 supralabials.
+
+
+Infralabials
+
+The infralabials are five, six (usually), or seven on a side (Table 1).
+When five infralabials are present on either one or both sides, the
+reduction results from one of the following conditions: a) 2 and 3 are
+fused (N = 3); b) 1, 2, and 3 form 1 and 2 (N = 6); c) 2, 3, and 4 form
+2 and 3 (N = 3); d) 5 is separated from the edge of the lip by a
+projection from an adjacent infralabial (N = 1); e) 1, 2, 3, and 4 form
+1, 2, and 3 (N = 2); f) type of reduction unknown (N = 4).
+
+Of the specimens with 5-5 infralabials, two have the same type of
+reduction on each side, one has a different type of reduction on each
+side, and the type of reduction is unknown for the other two specimens.
+
+When seven infralabials are present on either one or both sides, the
+addition can result from infralabials 2 and 3 forming 2, 3, and 4 (N =
+2); the type of addition is unknown in one specimen.
+
+In one specimen the second infralabial on the right side is reduced to a
+small wedge-shaped granule and in another specimen several infralabials
+on both sides are irregularly divided horizontally, although both
+specimens have six infralabials on the sides having the abnormalities.
+
+
+Preoculars
+
+Of the 245 specimens examined, 242 (98.8%) have one preocular on each
+side. Both preoculars are absent from two specimens, and one specimen
+has 1-0. In each case when a preocular is lacking, the "preocular" and
+prefrontal are fused. One specimen having 1-1 preoculars has both of
+them reduced to small vertical slivers.
+
+
+Postoculars
+
+Of the 245 specimens examined, 242 (98.8%) have one postocular on each
+side. Postoculars are 2-1 in two specimens and 1-2 in one. In one
+specimen the lower of the two postoculars on each side is very small,
+being approximately 1/6 the diameter of the upper one (measured with an
+ocular micrometer).
+
+
+Temporals
+
+Of the 245 specimens examined, 235 (95.9%) have 1 + 1 temporals on each
+side. Four specimens exhibit addition of temporals: one specimen has two
+secondary temporals on the left, and one has a tertiary temporal on the
+left. Two specimens have partly healed head injuries that probably
+caused atypical temporal conditions: one specimen has two primary
+temporals on the left, and one has two secondary temporals on the left
+and two upper and one lower secondary temporal on the right.
+
+Six specimens exhibit reduction of temporals: one lacks a primary
+temporal on the left ("temporal" is fused with sixth supralabial), two
+lack secondary temporals on the right, and three lack secondary
+temporals on the left. The right secondary "temporal" of one specimen is
+separated from the supralabials by a posterior extension of the primary
+temporal.
+
+Of the 246 specimens examined, 200 (81.3%) have both primary temporals
+in contact with their adjacent postoculars. Thirteen specimens (5.3%)
+have only the left primary temporal in contact with the postocular and
+eight (3.3%) have only the right primary temporal in contact with the
+postocular. Twenty-five specimens (10.2%) have both primary temporals
+separated from the postoculars. Separation of the primary temporal from
+the postocular, whenever it occurs, results from contact of mutual
+extensions from the adjacent parietal and supralabial (usually the
+fifth).
+
+
+Nasal
+
+Of the 243 specimens examined, 237 (97.5%) have the nasal divided below
+the naris on both sides. Three specimens have the nasal completely
+divided (above and below the naris) on only the left side; one specimen
+has a completely divided nasal on only the right side. A groove, but not
+a complete division of the nasal, is present above the left naris of one
+specimen. One specimen lacks the typical division below the naris on
+both sides, but a complete suture is present posterior to the naris and
+the resulting postnasal scales are, according to position, loreals.
+
+
+Contact of prefrontal with supralabials
+
+Of the 243 specimens examined, 147 (60.5%) have the prefrontal separated
+from the labials on each side. Of the remaining 96 specimens, 53 (21.8%
+of the 243) have the prefrontals in contact with the second labial on
+each side; five other variations of this characteristic were observed
+(Table 2).
+
+TABLE 2. Variation in Contact of the Prefrontals and the Labials in 243
+Specimens of Tantilla gracilis.
+
+  ----------------------------------------------------+---------+----------
+                                                      |Number   |Per cent
+  CHARACTERISTIC                                      |of       |of
+                                                      |specimens|occurrence
+  ----------------------------------------------------+---------+----------
+  No contact                                          |   147   |  60.5
+  Contact of prefrontal with second labial on right   |    26   |  10.7
+  Contact of prefrontal with second labial on left    |    10   |   4.1
+  Contact of prefrontal with each second labial       |    53   |  21.8
+  Contact of prefrontals with labial two on left and  |         |
+    labial three on right                             |     1   |   0.4
+  Contact of prefrontals with labial three on left and|         |
+    labial two on right                               |     3   |   1.2
+  Contact of prefrontals with labial two on left and  |         |
+    labials two and three on right                    |     3   |   1.2
+  ----------------------------------------------------+---------+----------
+
+The specimen having the prefrontal in contact with labial 2 on the left
+and labial 3 on the right has seven supralabials on the right, the extra
+labial being added anterior to the eye. In two of the three specimens
+with the prefrontals in contact with labial 3 on the left and labial 2
+on the right, the preoculars and prefrontals are fused on each side; the
+third specimen has each preocular reduced to a small vertical sliver. Of
+the three specimens having the prefrontals in contact with labial 2 on
+the left and labials 2 and 3 on the right, two are typical with respect
+to other characteristics that might result in this atypical condition,
+but one has the prefrontals and preoculars fused.
+
+
+Supralabials entering orbit
+
+Of the 246 specimens examined, 233 (94.7%) have the third and fourth
+supralabials entering each eye (Table 3). All snakes that have the
+fourth and fifth labials entering the orbit on either side also have
+seven supralabials on the same side. One specimen having only the fourth
+labial entering the eye on the right side also has six supralabials on
+that side, but the third supralabial is split diagonally and the part
+contacting the eye does not contact the lip and hence is not a
+supralabial. The remaining three atypical conditions (4/3 + 4; 3 + 4/3 +
+4 + 5; 3 + 4 + 5/3 + 4) occur only one time each and on snakes having
+6-6 supralabials.
+
+
+Contact of mental with chin-shields
+
+Of the 246 specimens examined, 190 (77.2%) have the mental in contact
+with both anterior chin-shields. The mental is in contact with only the
+left anterior chin-shield in 15 specimens, only the right anterior
+chin-shield in 2 specimens, and the mental does not contact either
+anterior chin-shield in 39 specimens. Separation of the mental and an
+anterior chin-shield always results from the posterior elongation of a
+first infralabial.
+
+TABLE 3. Variation in Number of Supralabials Entering the Eye in 246
+Specimens of Tantilla gracilis.
+
+  ----------------------+-----------+------------
+      SUPRALABIALS      | Number of | Per cent of
+  ----------------------+ specimens | occurrence
+     Left   |   Right   |           |
+  ----------+-----------+-----------+------------
+    3 + 4   |   3 + 4   |   233     |   94.7
+    4 + 5   |   3 + 4   |     4     |    1.6
+      4     |   3 + 4   |     1     |    0.4
+    3 + 4   |   4 + 5   |     5     |    2.0
+    3 + 4   |     4     |     1     |    0.4
+    3 + 4   | 3 + 4 + 5 |     1     |    0.4
+  3 + 4 + 5 |   3 + 4   |     1     |    0.4
+  ----------+-----------+-----------+------------
+
+
+Dorsal scale rows
+
+Of the 245 specimens examined for this characteristic, 228 (92.7%) have
+scale counts of 15-15-15-15-15. The number of scale rows around the neck
+and one head length behind the head are 15 except in a single specimen
+that has 14 scale rows at these three places. The number of scale rows
+around midbody is 15 in 244 of 246 specimens (99.2%); two specimens have
+14 scale rows around midbody. The number of preanal scale rows is more
+variable; counts of 14 through 17 were recorded. Fourteen specimens have
+14 preanal scale rows (5.7%), 229 have 15 preanal rows (93.1%), two have
+16 preanal rows (0.8%), and one has 17 preanal rows (0.4%). Known causes
+for atypical numbers of preanal scale rows are listed in Table 4. A
+preanal count at one head length anterior to the anus would have omitted
+most of the above variation in numbers of preanal scale rows.
+
+TABLE 4. Atypical Numbers of Preanal Scale Rows in Specimens of Tantilla
+gracilis.
+
+  -------+---------+--------------------------------------------+----------
+  Preanal|Number   |                                            |Per cent
+  scales |of       |               CAUSE                        |of
+         |specimens|                                            |occurrence
+  -------+---------+--------------------------------------------+----------
+         |         |Scale rows seven and eight on left fuse     |
+    14   |   10    |within the last five ventrals               |   4.1
+         |         |                                            |
+         |         |Scale row two on the right is lost adjacent |
+    14   |    1    |to the penultimate ventral                  |   0.4
+         |         |                                            |
+         |         |Scale row eight on the left divides adjacent|
+    16   |    1    |to the last ventral                         |   0.4
+         |         |                                            |
+         |         |A scale row is added on the right adjacent  |
+    16   |    1    |to and anterior to the anal plate           |   0.4
+         |         |                                            |
+         |         |A scale row is added on each side adjacent  |
+    17   |    1    |to and anterior to the anal plate           |   0.4
+  -------+---------+--------------------------------------------+----------
+
+The complete dorsal scale formula for KU 83620, a male, is as follows:
+
+      6 + 7(2)      + 7(4)                   6 + 7(11)
+  15 --------- 13 --------- 14 --------- 15 ---------- 13 --------------,
+      6 + 7(2)                   +7(5)       6 + 7(11)     6 = 6 + 7(17)
+
+  14 ------------- 13---------,
+      6 + 7(18)        +7(25)
+
+       + 7(26)                     6 + 7(38)      +7(39)
+  14 ---------- 15 ---------- 14 ------------ 13---------- 14----------,
+                   6 + 7(36)                                    +7(42)
+
+  15 --------- 14 ---------,
+      -6(45)        +7(53)
+
+       7 + 8(67)      + 7(69)
+  15 ------------ 14 ----------- 15 ----------- 14 ---------- 15----------,
+                                     6 + 7(90)       +7(93)      6 + 7(99)
+
+  14 ------------ 15(122).
+       + 7(100)
+
+Specimen 83620 is the only one for which we have determined the complete
+dorsal scale formula. Obviously the formula is complex, and possibly the
+specimen is atypical in this regard. Nevertheless, addition and
+reduction of scale rows is apparent on other specimens and can be easily
+observed by examining specimens under a dissection microscope.
+
+
+Anal plate
+
+Of the 246 specimens examined, 232 (94.3%) have the anal plate divided.
+Of the 14 specimens having undivided anal plates, four have an
+incomplete groove anteriorly in the plate.
+
+
+Ventrals
+
+[Illustration: FIG. 2. Number of ventrals in females and males of _T.
+gracilis_.]
+
+Females have from 122 to 137 (mean, 130.8 +- 0.26; N = 107) ventrals;
+males have from 117 to 131 (mean, 122.3 +- 0.21; N = 139; Fig. 2). Of the
+246 specimens examined, 29 (11.8%; 11 females and 18 males) have an
+added half-ventral immediately anterior to the anal plate. Of these
+specimens, 27 have the added half-ventral on the left side and two have
+it on the right. Five specimens have the last ventral divided similar to
+the normal division of the anal plate. One specimen has the last ventral
+incompletely divided transversely. Excluding the last ventral, seven
+specimens have divided ventrals (half-ventrals). Four of these specimens
+have added half-ventrals on the right side (two specimens with one
+half-ventral each, one specimen with two half-ventrals, and one specimen
+with three half-ventrals), and four have added half-ventrals on the left
+side (one half-ventral on each specimen).
+
+
+Subcaudals
+
+Females have from 37 to 47 (mean, 42.0 +- 0.20; N = 79) subcaudals; males
+have from 43 to 55 (mean, 48.4 +- 0.23; N = 109; Fig. 3). Of the 187
+specimens examined, 13 (7.0%) have the last pair of subcaudals fused.
+One specimen has left subcaudal 28 fused with both adjacent subcaudals
+(also fused) on the right. While reading proof we found two omissions in
+Fig. 3; there should be illustrated two males with 43 subcaudals and
+three males with 44 subcaudals.
+
+[Illustration: FIG. 3. Number of subcaudals in females and males of _T.
+gracilis_.]
+
+
+Ventrals minus subcaudals
+
+The value for number of ventrals minus the number of subcaudals varies
+from 80 to 96 (mean, 88.8 +- 0.39) for 79 females, and from 67 to 83
+(mean, 73.8 +- 0.28) for 109 males.
+
+
+Additional scale characteristics
+
+Of the 246 specimens examined, four (1.6%) have the rostral in contact
+with the left prefrontal, and hence the internasals are separated from
+one another. One snake has approximately one-fourth (anteriorly) of the
+suture between the parietals fused. One specimen has the posterior edge
+of the frontal fused with the left parietal. One specimen has the
+parietal shield on the right side abbreviated posteriorly. One specimen
+has both prefrontals fused with the frontal, although an incomplete
+suture is present.
+
+
+Maxillary characteristics (_Figs. 4 and 5_)
+
+Maxillary teeth anterior to fangs 10-14 (mean, 12.1; N = 20);
+tooth-socket number 6.5-8.5 (mean, 7.2; N = 20) directly opposite distal
+tip of suborbital process; lateral anterior foramina 1-3 (mean, 1.8; N =
+20); tooth number 6-9 (mean, 6.9; N = 12) directly below center of
+posterior foramen (if only two foramina present). Three specimens lack a
+diastema and 17 specimens have a diastema. The anterior and posterior
+edges of the suborbital process are parallel in two specimens and not
+parallel in 14; the process is broken in four specimens. The lengths
+(anterior to posterior) of the lateral anterior foramina (if only two
+are present) are approximately equal in six specimens, and in six the
+anteriormost one is the longest; six specimens have one foramen and two
+specimens have three foramina. All specimens examined have two fangs,
+with the posterior edge of the lateral flange forming an obtuse angle.
+
+[Illustration: FIG. 4. Lateral view of right maxilla of _T. gracilis_
+(KU 83484), x 39. Actual length of bone is 2.44 mm. A. Detail of bone.
+B. Outline sketch of bone to illustrate characteristics examined.
+Lateral anterior foramina (LF); fangs (F); "prediastemal" maxillary
+teeth (MT); lateral flange (PLF); perpendicular lines, A-B and C-D, are
+used to determine which tooth-socket occurs directly below the center of
+the posterior foramen (the specimen illustrated is atypical because
+there are three foramina present).]
+
+
+Discussion and Conclusions
+
+Generic characteristics of _Tantilla_ are as follows: size small, body
+slender, head not noticeably distinct from body; preoculars one;
+postoculars one or two; nasals two; loreal absent; smooth dorsal scales
+in 15 rows; anal plate usually divided but sometimes single; subcaudals
+paired; usually two enlarged, posterior, grooved fangs on the maxilla
+separated by a small diastema from the other maxillary teeth (Baird and
+Girard, 1853:131; Cope, 1900:1110; Dunn, 1928:24; Blanchard, 1938:369;
+Schmidt and Davis, 1941:268; Wright and Wright, 1957:722; Conant,
+1958:180). Of these characteristics, only the following were invariable
+in our sample: size small, body slender, head not noticeably distinct
+from body; postoculars one or two; smooth dorsal scales; posterior
+grooved fangs on maxilla. The dorsal scales, anal, and subcaudals were
+"correct" 92 per cent of the time; the preoculars and nasals were
+"correct" 97 per cent of the time.
+
+[Illustration: FIG. 5. Ventral view of right maxilla of _T. gracilis_
+(KU 83484), x 39. Actual length of bone is 2.44 mm. A. Detail of bone.
+B. Outline sketch of bone to illustrate characteristics examined.
+Lateral flange (PLF) forms an obtuse angle (ADC) with main axis of bone
+(AB); a reference line (2), perpendicular to the main axis of the bone,
+is used to locate the tooth-socket directly opposite the tip of the
+suborbital process (SOP); the anterior and posterior edges of the
+suborbital process are not parallel at any point (reference lines 1 and
+3).]
+
+_Tantilla_ reportedly has two nasals (Baird and Girard, 1853:131; Cope,
+1900:1110; Wright and Wright, 1957:722). _Tantilla gracilis_ usually has
+a single nasal that is divided below the naris; variation in this
+characteristic is discussed above.
+
+In addition to the generic characteristics, specific characteristics for
+_T. gracilis_ are as follows: supralabials 5-8 (usually 6); supralabials
+3 and 4 entering orbit; infralabials 5-7 (usually 6); temporals 1 + 1;
+ventrals 115-138 in females, 106-132 in males; subcaudals 33-53 in
+females, 40-57 in males; tail length 13-27 per cent total length in
+females, 15-30 per cent in males (Baird and Girard, 1853:132; Cope,
+1900:1111-12; Force, 1935:653-54; Taylor, 1936:337-38; Blanchard,
+1938:371-72; Kirn, Burger, and Smith, 1949:240-49). Excepting the number
+of temporals and the supralabials entering the orbit, the
+characteristics of the specimens in our sample are within the ranges of
+variation mentioned above. Of the 10 maxillary characteristics studied,
+no variation was observed in number of fangs or angle of lateral flange.
+
+Because our data have some bearing on the problem of geographic
+variation in _T. gracilis_ and the recognition of subspecies, we comment
+briefly on the status of subspecies in _T. gracilis_. Kirn, Burger and
+Smith (1949) proposed the recognition of two subspecies of _Tantilla
+gracilis_ (_T. g. gracilis_ Baird and Girard and _T. g. hallowelli_
+Cope). These subspecies were diagnosed on the basis of differences in
+ventrals, subcaudals, and the ratio of tail length to total length;
+sexual dimorphism in each characteristic was considered. We do not
+recognize these subspecies for the reasons given below.
+
+The data of Kirn _et al._ (1949) appear to be presented inaccurately in
+part. Both of us independently recalculated the mean given for each
+characteristic for each subspecies, using the data in figures 2-4 of
+Kirn _et al._ (1949:242, 244-245). Of their 12 means presented (table 1,
+p. 247) only two agree with our recalculated means, although the means
+calculated by each of us independently are in complete agreement (Table
+5). Also, we independently calculated the percentages of specimens of
+each "subspecies" that are included in the ranges of variation given in
+their diagnoses (Table 5); again, our independent calculations are in
+complete agreement. In our opinion the differences between the
+populations for the characteristics analyzed do not warrant recognition
+of subspecies (Fig. 6).
+
+TABLE 5. Means of "Diagnostic" Characteristics of T. g. gracilis Baird
+and Girard and T. g. hallowelli Cope.
+
+  =============================================================================
+                   |      _T. g. gracilis_       |      _T. g. hallowelli_
+  -----------------+-----------------------------+-----------------------------
+                   |        |         |Per cent  |         |         |Per cent
+  CHARACTERISTICS  |        | Mean    |specimens |         |  Mean   |specimens
+                   | Mean   | (Kirn,  |of Kirn,  |  Mean   | (Kirn,  |of Kirn,
+                   |(Kirn,  |_et al._)|_et al._  | (Kirn,  |_et al._)|_et al._
+                   |_et al._|recalcu- |included  |_et al._ |recalcu- |included
+                   | 1949)  | lated   |their     |in 1949) | lated   |in their
+                   |        | by us   |diagnosis |         | by us   |diagnosis
+  -----------------+--------+---------+----------+---------+---------+---------
+  Ventrals--females|125.67  | 125.71  |  69.4    | 130.07  | 130.07  | 79.6
+  Ventrals--males  |115.97  | 116.61  |  70.0    | 121.22  | 120.87  | 69.7
+                   |        |         |          |         |         |
+  Caudals--females | 40.99  |  40.82  |  62.8    |  46.79  |  43.82  | 77.4
+  Caudals--males   | 47.75  |  48.29  |  78.3    |  51.67  |  50.29  | 51.0
+                   |        |         |          |         |         |
+  Tail L./total L. |        |         |          |         |         |
+    females        |   .1976|    .1976|  69.0    |    .2084|    .2076| 74.2
+  Tail L./total L. |        |         |          |         |         |
+    males          |   .2336|    .2362|  56.1    |    .2477|    .2423| 79.6
+  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+The data presented by Kirn _et al._ do not demonstrate intergradation
+between two populations. Moreover, the diagnostic ranges of the number
+of subcaudals in males of _hallowelli_ and the ratio of tail length to
+total length in males of _gracilis_ do not include the recalculated
+means for those characteristics. Furthermore, the means for the
+following characteristics are dangerously close to being excluded from
+their respective "diagnostic" ranges: in _hallowelli_, the number of
+ventrals in males; in _gracilis_, the number of subcaudals in females,
+and the ratio of tail length to total length in females. It is
+incongruous that Kirn _et al._ state (p. 243) that "the coefficient of
+geographic divergence is .6 per degree latitude" for ventrals, and on
+the same page they state that "The average number of ventrals gradually
+increases toward the north in _Tantilla gracilis_ except in southern
+Oklahoma and central Arkansas (the area of intergradation between _T. g.
+gracilis_ and _T. g. hallowelli_) where the change seems to be more
+abrupt." The data presented in Kirn _et al._ (1949) do not demonstrate
+an abrupt change.
+
+The present sample of _T. gracilis_ from Kansas is clearly within the
+geographic range of _T. g. hallowelli_ as mapped by Kirn _et al._
+(1949:241). However, for the sample from Kansas, the mean number of
+subcaudals of males is well within the diagnostic range for _T. g.
+gracilis_ (Table 6), the mean number of subcaudals of females is closer
+to the mean of _gracilis_ than it is to the mean of _hallowelli_ (Table
+5), and the mean of the ratio of tail length to total length of both
+sexes is within or very close to the diagnostic range for _gracilis_
+(Table 6).
+
+[Illustration: FIG. 6. Frequency polygons presenting ratios of tail
+length to total length for males of _T. g. gracilis_ and _T. g.
+hallowelli_ from Kirn, _et al._ (1949). The dotted vertical lines
+represent the means given by Kirn, _et al._ (1949) for _gracilis_ (left)
+and _hallowelli_ (right); the solid vertical lines represent the
+recalculated means for _gracilis_ and _hallowelli_, respectively, using
+the data of Kirn, _et al._ The hatched bars represent the range included
+by Kirn, _et al._ (1949) in their diagnoses of _gracilis_ (left) and
+_hallowelli_ (right).]
+
+TABLE 6. Comparison of the Means of Some Characteristics of the Sample
+of _Tantilla gracilis_ from Kansas (Our Data) with Some of the
+Diagnostic Characteristics (Kirn _et al._, 1949:240) of _Tantilla
+gracilis gracilis_.
+
+  ============================================================
+                 |Diagnostic range for | Mean of the sample
+  CHARACTERISTIC | _T. g. gracilis_    |("_T. g. hallowelli_")
+                 |                     |    from Kansas
+  ---------------+---------------------+----------------------
+    No. of       |                     |
+  subcaudals     |      40-50          |   48.4 (N = 109)
+    males        |                     |
+                 |                     |
+  Tail L./       |                     |
+  Total L.       |     .160-.200       |     .20 (N = 79)
+    females      |                     |
+                 |                     |
+  Tail L./       |                     |
+  Total L.       |     .200-.235       |     .23 (N = 109)
+    males        |                     |
+  ---------------+---------------------+----------------------
+
+Smith and Sanders (1952:218) pointed out an error in the range of
+subcaudals in female _T. g. gracilis_ as stated in table 1 (p. 247) of
+Kirn _et al._ We add some additional corrections that should be made on
+the same page. In table two, column two ("Sex"), the words "male" and
+"female" are reversed for each characteristic. Also, in table two,
+column four ("Means from data of Force"), the means for caudals should
+be corrected from 33.61 to 43.61 in females and from 39.99 to 50.32 in
+males, as based on our recalculations from Force's data; we did not
+recalculate the means of Force's data for the other characteristics.
+
+The discussion above demonstrates that the number of subcaudals and the
+ratio of tail length to total length are weak characteristics for
+diagnosing _T. g. gracilis_ and _T. g. hallowelli_. The only remaining
+diagnostic characteristic given by Kirn _et al._ (1949) is the number of
+ventrals. Nevertheless, a step-cline in the number of ventrals, if one
+exists, is yet to be demonstrated. Therefore, we completely agree with
+Dowling (1957:32), who stated that "... the overlap in each character is
+so great that any subspecific differences appear to be as yet undefined.
+It is here suggested that _T. gracilis_ be retained as binomial...."
+
+
+LITERATURE CITED
+
+BAIRD, S. F. and GIRARD, C.
+
+    1853. Catalogue of North American Reptiles in the museum of the
+          Smithsonian Institution. Part I.--Serpents. Smithsonian Misc.
+          Colls., 2:1-172.
+
+BLANCHARD, F. N.
+
+    1938. Snakes of the genus _Tantilla_ in the United States. Zool.
+          Ser. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., 20(28):369-376.
+
+CONANT, R.
+
+    1958. A field guide to reptiles and amphibians. Houghton Mifflin
+          Co., Boston, 366 pp.
+
+COPE, E. D.
+
+    1900. The crocodilians, lizards, and snakes of North America. U. S.
+          Nat. Mus. Rept. (1898), 153-1270.
+
+DOWLING, H. G.
+
+    1951. A proposed standard system of counting ventrals in snakes.
+          British J. Herpetology, 1(5):97-99.
+
+    1957. A review of the amphibians and reptiles of Arkansas. Occas.
+          Paps. Univ. Arkansas Mus., No. 3:1-51.
+
+DUNN, E. R.
+
+    1928. A tentative key and arrangement of the American genera of
+          Colubridae. Bull. Antivenin Inst. Amer., 2 (147):18-24.
+
+FORCE, E. R.
+
+    1935. A local study of the opisthoglyph snake _Tantilla gracilis_
+          Baird and Girard. Papers Michigan Acad. Sci., Arts and
+          Letters, 20:645-659.
+
+KIRN, A. J., BURGER, W. L., and SMITH, H. M.
+
+    1949. The subspecies of _Tantilla gracilis_. Amer. Midl. Nat.,
+          42(1):238-251.
+
+PETERS, J. A.
+
+    1960. The snakes of the subfamily Dipsadinae. Misc. Pubis. Mus.
+          Zool., Univ. Michigan, No. 114:1-224.
+
+    1964. Dictionary of herpetology. Hafner Publ. Co., New York, 392 pp.
+
+SCHMIDT, K. P. and DAVIS, D. D.
+
+    1941. Field book of snakes. G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 365 pp.
+
+SMITH, H. M. and SANDERS, O.
+
+    1952. Distributional data on Texan amphibians and reptiles. Texas J.
+          Sci., 4(2):204-219.
+
+TAYLOR, E. H.
+
+    1936. Notes and comments on certain American and Mexican snakes of
+          the genus _Tantilla_, with descriptions of new species. Trans.
+          Kansas Acad. Sci., 39:335-348.
+
+WRIGHT, A. H. and WRIGHT, A. A.
+
+    1957. Handbook of snakes. Comstock Publ. Assoc, Cornell, Vol. II,
+          pp. 565-1105.
+
+_Department of Biology, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque,
+87106, and Department of Zoology, The University of Arizona, Tucson,
+85721._
+
+_Transmitted July 11, 1967._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Transcriber's Notes
+
+The following corrections were made to the text:
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Morphological Variation in a
+Population of the Snake, Tantilla gracilis Baird and Girard, by Laurence M. Hardy and Charles J. Cole
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATION--SNAKE ***
+
+***** This file should be named 34127.txt or 34127.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        https://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/1/2/34127/
+
+Produced by Simon Gardner, Chris Curnow, Joseph Cooper and
+the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+https://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+https://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/34127.zip b/34127.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..93e4298
--- /dev/null
+++ b/34127.zip
diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6312041
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d48ba3a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #34127 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/34127)