188 Observations upon the supposed 



Zoology (ed. 1812, vol. iii. p. 49.), in which an account is 

 given of a new snake, as described in his Tour in Scotland, 

 and in his Zoology, as the Aberdeen snake (A'nguis E x ryx, 

 Lin. Syst. 9 392.) 



The editor of the edition of the Zoology referred to appends 

 a note to the description in the text of the Aberdeen novelty, 

 saying, " The Dumfriesshire snake of Mr. Sowerby's British 

 Miscellany, tab. 3., is probably the young either of this (the 

 Aberdeen snake, to wit), or of the ringed-serpent :" meaning, 

 it is presumed, the Natrix torquata, or common snake, of 

 Fleming; a conclusion possessing all the advantages of arguing 

 in a circle, inasmuch as, so soon as error is started, it is run 

 down, indeed, but only to make a fresh start of it. 



It is not known what authority or weight is due to the 

 opinion of this editor; but, at any rate, it is at variance with that 

 of Dr. Fleming, who is, however, inconsistent with himself, 

 supposing, as we have seen, the animal to be a kind of smooth 

 viper (of course, poisonous), yet classing it with the snake, 

 which is not poisonous ! Altogether, on the extremely slender 

 data given, and the contradictory conclusions drawn, or (not 

 with impropriety it may be said) opinions haphazarded upon 

 little else than the barest probabilities, it may safely and war- 

 rantably be assumed that the Natrix dumfriesiensis, whether 

 figuring away as Aberdeen or Dumfriesshire snake, has been 

 shown to have no claim whatever to be classed as a distinct 

 species in the creeping department of the British fauna, and, 

 by rejecting or ejecting it therefrom, consequently reducing 

 Dr. Fleming's twelve species to eleven. Fifty years ago, 

 Gilbert White, in his seventeenth letter, says he was puzzled 

 how Pennant made out his twelve species of reptiles, unless it 

 was by the various species of Lacerta ; and of these species he 

 uses the expression, " or rather varieties ;" indicating pretty 

 plainly that he thought there was but one species of viper, of 

 which animal he had been speaking immediately before, 

 making the remark upon the number of reptile species. 



Though not immediately connected with the subject, yet, as 

 serving to show with what indifference or carelessness species 

 are first spoken of, and then adopted, a remark may be ven- 

 tured on the classification of the lizard species, suggested by 

 a note made by Sir William Jardine, who says, " I think it 

 very probable that there may be more than one species of 

 Lacerta yet undiscovered, which will make up the number." 

 Now, here is a premium for a new species; and it will be odd 

 indeed if it is not found to order, that somebody's name may 

 be appended to it, and be immortalised in a note by Sir Wil- 

 liam ! The number spoken of refers to the twelve species as 



