62 VIPERAD^E. 



Vipera, Ray, Syn. Quad, et Serp. p. 285. 



Coluber Berus, Linn. Syst. Nat. I. p. 377. La ur. Spec. Med. p. 97. Shaw, 



Gen. Zool. III. p. 365, t. ci. Turton, Brit. Faun. p. 80. 

 Vipera „ Daud. Hist. Rept. VI. p. 89. 



„ vulgaris, Latr. Rep. III. p. 812. 

 „ communis, Leach, Zool. Miscell. III. t. vii. Flem. Brit. Anirn. p. 156. 



Jenyns, Brit. Vert. p. 297. 

 Pelias Berus, Merrem, Syst. Amph. p. 148, sp. 1, cc. /3. y. Bonap. Faun. 



Ital. cum. fig. 

 Vipere commune, Daud. 1. c. (an Cuv.?) 

 Viper, Pennant, Brit. Zool. III. p. 26, t. iv. 



Var. /3. 

 Red Viper, Rackett, in Linn. Trans. XII. p. 349. 



Coluber chersea 9 Linn. Syst. Nat. p. 337. 



Var. y. 

 Blue-bellied Viper, {Coluber cceruleus,) Shepp. in Linn. Trans. VII. p. 56. 



Var. £. 

 Black Viper, Leach, Zool. Misc. loco cit. 



The Common Viper is happily the sole British repre- 

 sentative of any of the poisonous groups of Serpents, and 

 indeed the only poisonous reptile indigenous to this coun- 

 try. It is far more numerous in Scotland than the Com- 

 mon Snake, and is found in abundance in all parts of 

 England and Wales, frequenting heaths, dry woods, and 

 banks. In Ireland it has never been seen ; and it may, 

 almost with certainty, be stated that it does not exist 

 there. On the continent of Europe it is extensively dis- 

 tributed, being found from the northern parts of Russia to 

 the south of Italy and Spain. It is everywhere deservedly 

 feared on account of its venom, which, although less viru- 

 lent than that of many other species, is yet sufficiently so 

 to produce severe symptoms, and sometimes, in the warmer 

 climates, even fatal results. In this country I have never 

 seen a case which terminated in death, nor have I been 

 able to trace to an authentic source any of the numerous 

 reports of such a termination, which have at various times 

 been confidently promulgated. At the same time the 



