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CHAPTER XIV. 



THE OPHIDIA IN THE MONNOW VALLEY. 



AREA DEALT WITH — GEOGRAPHICAL — NATURE OF DISTRICT — 

 OPHIDIA FOUND — SIZE — EXPLANATION OF LOCAL DISTRIBUTION. 



It is proposed in this chapter to indicate briefly the 

 results of the observations made on the serpents in the 

 Mid - Monnow Valley. The lines of investigation 

 followed up are those applicable to the study of our 

 reptiles in other localities where they have a peculiar 

 distribution, and the explanations offered for that 

 peculiarity are such as may help to elucidate the same 

 kind of problem in any particular locality. 



The area dealt with. — These observations refer to 

 that part of the Monnow Valley where the river 

 Monnow forms the boundary between the two coun- 

 ties of Herefordshire and Monmouthshire, extending 

 from Pontrilas railway station, on the Great Western 

 line, to the village of Skenfrith, some six miles from 

 the town of Monmouth. The distance between these 

 two places is about eight miles, the valley running 



