56 COLUBRIDiE. 



Italy and Sicily. In all parts of England it is exceedingly 

 common ; generally frequenting places in which there is 

 ready access to water, and hence it is found in more 

 humid places than the Viper. 



So much has been said of the inability of reptiles of 

 every kind to exist in Ireland, — or at least of their non- 

 existence in that island, that I have endeavoured to ascer- 

 tain exactly to what extent these statements are correct. 

 I have already mentioned the existence of the L. agilis 

 there, and with regard to the present species, the follow- 

 ing is the result of my inquiries. It would appear not 

 only that the Common Snake is not indigenous to Ireland, 

 but that several attempts to introduce it have totally 

 failed. Mr. Ball some time since informed me of some 

 trials of this kind ; and the following letter, which I 

 have recently received from Mr. Thompson, gives a very 

 detailed and clear account of the actual facts. 



" In this order (Ophidia) there is not now, nor I believe 

 ever was there, any species indigenous to Ireland. In the 

 Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal for April 1835,* it 

 is remarked, * We have learned from good authority that a 

 recent importation of Snakes has been made into Ireland, 

 and that at present they are multiplying rapidly within a 

 few miles of the tomb of St. Patrick.' I never,' 1 proceeds 

 Mr. Thompson, " heard of this circumstance until it was 

 published, and subsequently endeavoured to ascertain its 

 truth, by inquiring of the persons about Downpatrick, 

 (where the tomb of St. Patrick is,) who are best acquaint- 

 ed with these subjects, not one of whom had ever heard 

 of Snakes being in the neighbourhood. Recollecting that 

 about the year 1831 a Snake (Natrix torquatd), imme- 

 diately after being killed at Milecross, was brought by 



* Vol. XVIII. p. 373. 



