IS2 



HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



comes down to some pool in the marsh to drink. 

 Among the undergrowth it can also at any time find 

 its prey, the common lizard, which abounds in such 

 localities. Its mode of obtaining its food is one of 

 the most interesting characteristics of the Coronella, 

 and merits a somewhat minute description. 



As soon as it sees its victim within easy reach, it 

 slowly approaches, keeping its body concealed, but 

 slightly raising its head above the heather and coarse 

 grass. When it gets within striking distance, after 

 remaining motionless for a few seconds, it darts 

 suddenly, and with the quickness of thought, at the 

 throat of the hapless lizard. If its aim is successful, 

 the snake instantly grasps with its tail a stem of 

 heather, or tuft of grass, and proceeds at once to the 

 enjoyment of its meal. Its first step is to gradually 

 shift its hold from the throat to the snout of the 

 lizard, by slow and almost imperceptible degrees. 

 When once it has the lizard's head fairly in its jaws, 



Fig. ior. — Head of Smooth snake (Coronella larviz). 



the process of swallowing is rapid, and the strong 

 protests of the victim are wholly unavailing, as the 

 snake with its tail knotted round the grass is able to 

 overcome all resistance. In this way it will, in five 

 or ten minutes, entirely dispose of a lizard as large 

 round as itself and two-thirds of its length. After its 

 meal the snake is somewhat sluggish and disinclined 

 to exert itself, but in about a fortnight it begins to 

 recover its appetite, and, by the end of another 

 week, it is again actively engaged in its search for 

 food. 



As the Coronella is by the uninitiated frequently 

 mistaken for the common viper, to which, at first 

 sight, it certainly bears some resemblance, it may be 

 as well to point out how it may be distinguished. 

 The chief cause of the confusion between the two 

 snakes is no doubt the fact that the Coronella displays 

 the particular markings that are popularly supposed 

 to be specially characteristic of the viper ; but, if we 

 compare a specimen of each snake, the difference 

 will be sufficiently apparent. While in the viper the 

 markings are all remarkably clear and distinct, in the 

 Coronella they are mostly blotched and undefined. 

 The colour too of the latter is generally either a 

 dull slaty grey, or a dusty brown, very different 

 from the rich beauty of tint which adorns the viper. 

 It should, moreover, be clearly understood that 

 although the Coronella can, and if irritated will, at 

 times bite hard enough to draw blood, it is not 

 venomous and possesses no fangs properly so-called. 

 Its teeth are mostly hardly larger than those of the 

 lizard, and are barely perceptible without careful 

 examination. But, situated at the extremities of the 



jaws, almost in the throat of the snake, are two long 

 fang-like teeth, unconnected (as far as I can 

 determine) with any poison glands. Presumably they 

 are intended to aid the snake in holding its prey, and 

 in defeating the vigorous efforts, that, during the 

 swallowing process, the lizard makes to escape. 



It is much to be regretted that naturalists have not 

 given more attention to the Coronella and its ways, 

 as it is a snake well worthy of careful study. 



A. L. Baldry. 



LIST OF ASSISTING NATURALISTS. 



\C out imted from p. 154.] 



Kent. 



Dover. J. Fedarb, B.E., 10 Wood Street, Examiner, 

 Privy Council, Microscopy and its application to 

 morbid Pathology, &c. 



Middlesex. 



London. Mr. Saville Kent, F.L.S., &c, Acton 

 House, 87 St. Stephen's Avenue, Shepherd's 

 Bush, W. Infusoria. These should be sent alive 

 in phials similar to those supplied by Mr. Thomas 

 Bolton, of 17 Ann Street, Birmingham. 



MICROSCOPY. 



New Preservative Fluid. — In answer to the 

 letter asking about the new preservative fluid men- 

 tioned in your journal, I may say that I have 

 given it now three months' trial. The ingredient 

 " methylic alcohol" is only the ordinary methylated 

 spirit. For microscopically mounting most vege- 

 table and animal preparations it seems to answer 

 very well. But for objects such as polyzoa, con- 

 taining any carbonate of lime it is quite unfit 

 Where lime is present it speedily encrusts the 

 object in a slimy coat that soon renders it all but 

 invisible. It somewhat decolours vegetable and 

 animal preparations, as, indeed, all mounting media 

 do. It is very easy to use and not difficult to prepare. 

 — Alf. W. Stokes. 



Preservation of Organisms. — M. Certes says 

 that by treating water with a 1*5 per cent, solution of 

 osmic acid, the acid will kill any organisms present 

 without deforming them. They sink to the bottom 

 of the vessel and can then be examined micro- 

 scopically. 



Dull Objectives. — The note on this subject in 

 Science-Gossip for July, signed "G. F. George," 

 should have had the signature " F. Jas. George." 



Floscularia ornata. — I have just observed a 

 peculiar but very interesting sight. I have read that 

 the hairs on the lobes of the floscule have somewhat 



