RINGED SNAKE. 55 



This species, and indeed the whole genus, is truly ovipa- 

 rous, depositing its eggs a considerable time before the 

 young ones are hatched, and leaving them to be vivified 

 and developed by the heat of the sun, or of a dung-heap. 

 The eggs are connected together by a glutinous matter, and 

 are generally from sixteen to twenty in number. It is cer- 

 tainly remarkable, considering that the normal character of 

 the whole class of reptiles is truly oviparous, that of our 

 five indigenous species of true Heptilia, the minority only 

 should deposit their eggs before the young are developed 

 and hatched — the present species, and the Lacerta agilis ; 

 the latter, too, a recent addition to our known Fauna. 



Towards the end of autumn, or earlier, they resort to 

 their place of hibernation, in some sequestered and sheltered 

 corner, as the hollow roots of a tree, under hedges or 

 brushwood, or similar places of security, where they re- 

 main, coiled together, sometimes in considerable numbers, 

 throughout the whole of the inclement season ; and with 

 the first return of warmth they come forth with all the 

 other tribes which pass the winter in torpidity, and re- 

 sume all the functions of life. 



The Common Snake is easily tamed, and may be made 

 to distinguish those who caress and feed it. I had 

 one many years since, which knew me from all other 

 persons ; and, when let out of his box, would immediately 

 come to me, and crawl under the sleeve of my coat, where 

 he was fond of lying perfectly still, and enjoying the 

 warmth. He was accustomed to come to my hand for 

 a draught of milk every morning at breakfast, which he 

 always did of his own accord ; but he would fly from 

 strangers, and hiss if they meddled with him. 



It inhabits most of the countries of Europe, from Scot- 

 land and the corresponding latitude of the Continent, to 



