170 C0LUBRID.E 



are only laid at one season, in June or July, and 



hatch in August, September, or October. The eggs, 



numbering four to twenty, are deposited in holes not 



far from water, often in abandoned galleries of voles 



or moles. The young at birth measure 4 to 6J 



inches, and soon resort to the water, where, unlike 



those of the Grass-snake, they are frequently met 



with. 



Genus ZAMENIS, Wagler 



Maxillary teeth increasing in size posteriorly, the 

 two last often separated from the others by a narrow 

 interspace. Head elongate, distinct from neck ; 

 eye rather large, with round pupil. One or more 

 subocular shields. Body much elongate ; scales 

 smooth, with apical pits. Tail long. 



The species of this genus, about thirty in number, 

 are distributed over Europe, North Africa, Asia, and 

 North and Central America. Three inhabit Europe. 



6. Zamenis gemonensis, Laurenti 



(Coluber viridiflavus, Lacepede ; C. atrovirens, Shaw) 



The European Whip-Snake 



Form. — Slender ; snout rounded, with distinct 

 canthus, moderately prominent, concave on each 

 side in front of the eye. Tail three and one-third 

 to four and one-third times in the total length. 



Head-Shields. — Rostral a little broader than deep, 

 the portion visible from above measuring one-fourth 

 to two-fifths its distance from the frontal. Frontal 



