1 84 COLUBRID.E 



usually disappearing in the adult, except on the tail. 

 Iris dark brown. 



Size. — The largest European snake, stated to 

 reach a length of 8 feet. The largest specimen ex- 

 amined by me measures, however, only 4J feet. 



Distribution. — Aldrovandi's Snake inhabits Southern 

 Italy and Sicily, Istria, Croatia, Dalmatia, Herzego- 

 vina, Greece, and eastwards to Southern Russia, 

 Transcaucasia, Asia Minor, and Persia. It has been 

 observed at an altitude of 2,600 feet in Herzegovina. 



All the specimens from Roumania, Bulgaria, 

 Turkey, and eastwards, belong to the var. sauromates, 

 which is regarded by some authors as worthy of 

 specific rank. The reported occurrence of C. quatuor- 

 lineatus in various parts of France is certainly due to 

 confusion with C. scalaris and C. longissimus. 



Habits. — Dry as well as marshy localities are the 

 abode of this large and handsome snake, which 

 often approaches the dwellings of man, attracted by 

 the poultry. Comparatively slow in its movements, 

 it is more easily captured than any of the other large 

 Colubrids of Europe, and does well in captivity, 

 where it should be provided with a tank, in which it 

 will remain for hours under water. It is as good at 

 swimming as at climbing. Biting readily when cap- 

 tured, it becomes of gentle disposition after a short 

 period of captivity. In consequence of its slow, phleg- 

 matic temperament, it often allows itself to be picked 

 up when surprised in liberty, but as soon as it feels the 



