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Washington Garter Snake
Some specimens of the E. elegans group--Western Garter Snake--from Washington and Oregon, that appeal strongly in pattern and colours to the variety vagrans, have been given a distinct varietal name owing to the existence of two or three plates in front of the eye (preoculars) in place of the single plate, found with other forms. Upon this character, has been founded the variety biscutata of Cope. The character is not a constant one. Occasional specimens have but a single plate on one side of the head and two plates on the other. Some have three on each side. The rounded character of the body spots and the blackish abdomen, associate this form with vagrans, with which its dimensions tally.