THE SMOOTH SNAKE. 



47 





seven labial plates on the upper lip on each side, the 

 third and fourth of which touch upon the eye ; the 

 scales of the body are smooth, rhomboid, in nineteen 

 longitudinal rows. The plates on the 

 belly number from 160 to 164, those 

 on the under surface of the tail from 

 60 to 64 pairs." 



Habits. — The favourite food of 

 this snake seems to consist of various 

 lizards, especially slow -worms, and 

 mice. It casts its slough, like other 

 snakes, and hibernates ; but the latter 

 process is not so long as in the case 

 of the other British species. Instead 

 of burying itself, it is said to stretch 

 on the surface of the ground. In its 

 disposition the smooth snake is said to be rather 

 fierce, but its bite is quite harmless. Like the 

 ring snake, this species emits a strong secretion 

 when excited. 1 



Reproduction. — The smooth snake is viviparous, 

 bringing forth about twelve young ones at a time, 

 near the end of August. 



Historical. — In the year 1886 the Rev. 0. P. 

 Cambridge contributed a very valuable paper on 

 this species to the ' Proceedings of the Dorset 

 Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club,' a copy 

 of which he has been good enough to send me with 



1 Aflalo,*Natural History (Vertebrates) of the British Islands. 



FiCx. 9.— 



Head Plates of 



Smooth Snake. 



(P, frontal ; S, supra- 

 ocular ; P, parietal.) 



