THAMES PROVINCE. 279 



colour varies here as elsewhere. I have seen some 

 on the marshes nearly black." — (Dr) Henry Laver, 

 Colchester (author of 'The Mammals, Eeptiles, and 

 Fishes of Essex '). 



" The ring snake is fairly common in Epping Forest, 

 where the adder is less abundant. The latter is found 

 in the more northern parts, where the soil is more 

 sandy. The black form of the adder occurs. The 

 smooth snake does not occur, to my knowledge. Mr 

 E. Fitch, F.L.S., writes me: 'In some years adders 

 abound on our commons and on our sea - walls, 

 but they have been much rarer of late years. I 

 recorded the largest local ring snake in the " Essex 

 Naturalist " ; it measured 3 feet 3 inches, I think. 

 This is far the most common species in Essex.' Mr 

 Miller Christy says : ' I should say that the ring 

 snake is vastly more common in the county than 

 the adder, as the former is found in almost all parts, 

 the latter only, or mainly, in the marshes or in woody 

 or heathy localities, which are comparatively rare in 

 the county.' " — Wm. Cole, Buckhurst Hill, Essex. 



Hertfordshire. 



" The grass snake or ring snake is the most common 

 in this county, but is not often found. When it does 

 occur its length varies from 24 to 36 inches. The 

 adder is very seldom seen, and the smooth snake 

 never, as far as 1 am aware." — A. E. Gibbs, County 

 Museum, St Albans. 



