1 64 COLUBRIDJE 



perfection ; which does not prevent it from being 

 equally agile on land. In accordance with these 

 thoroughly aquatic habits, it feeds mostly on fish, 

 although occasionally taking frogs and toads and 

 their tadpoles. Small fish are swallowed in the 

 water, but large ones are landed. This snake does 

 not object to salt water, and it has been observed 

 on the seashore near Odessa, chasing small fish, 

 mostly gobies, in shallow water. Hibernation and 

 pairing take place on land, and it is not until the 

 latter function is accomplished that the snakes of 

 this species resort to the water, which the females 

 leave again for oviposition. Like the Grass-snake, 

 the Tessellated Snake seldom bites. 



Reproduction. — Pairing takes place in spring, when 

 large numbers have been observed to congregate for 

 the purpose. As in the Viperine Snake, a second 

 pairing may occur in the autumn, Dr. Werner having 

 found a pair in copula on September 14, at Trebinje, 

 Herzegovina, the female laying her eggs in the 

 following July, which with the beginning of August 

 is the time for oviposition. The eggs measure a 

 little over an inch in length and two-thirds of an 

 inch in width, and number 5 to 25 ; they are deposited 

 under stones, in the fissures of walls and rocks, or 

 under the refuse of tanneries. 



