( 949 ) 
XXI. Observations on a Viper found in Cranborne Chace, Dorset- 
shire. By the Rev. Thomas Rackett, F.R.S. & L.S. 
Read April 15, 1817. 
Tue Viper which accompanies this paper does not appear to 
have been noticed by any British naturalist. It is probably Co- 
luber Chersea of Linnæus. 
Coluber Chersea. Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 377.184. Gmel. iii. p. 1091. 
Fn. Suec. 285. Act. Stock. 1749. p. 246. t. 6. fig. 1.2. Laur. 
Reptil. p. 9(. n. 214. Weigel in Abh. der Hall. Naturf. Ges. i. 
p. 12. 
* Habitat in Sueciæ presertim Smolandiw, Scanie, Uplandiæ, 
* coryletis et fruticosis depressis, etiam in Pomeraniæ dumetis. 
* Bero satis affinis, et citius funesta nisi P morsa statim rese- 
* cetur. 9$ poll. longus. 
* Bero minor, color obscurius spadiceus, caput ovatum, truncus 
— 
Linnæus has described this species in the Swedish Transactions 
for the year 1749, and has given a figure which nearly resembles 
our specimen. The heart-shaped spot on the head is apparent. 
The belly is quite plain, and has not the appearance of steel ob- 
servable in the common viper. Linnzus lays great stress on a 
dark spot near the extremity of the tail, as a distinguishing cha- 
racter of the species: this mark is very evident in the one under 
examination. 1 
NT 222 I received 
