COMMON VIPER, 



69 



the results of direct experiment, which might be readily 

 made in any locality where these reptiles abound. 



The Viper, like the other reptilia, seeks a secret and 

 secure place in which to hibernate during the cold months 

 of the year. Here several are found entwined together, 

 and in a very torpid condition ; and if at this period a 

 Viper be made to wound an animal with its poison-fang, 

 no injury is likely to result from it ; the poison either does 

 not exist at all, or it is inert. 



It frequents dry sandy heaths and waste places, not 

 requiring, like the Snake, the neighbourhood of water, nor 

 swimming so readily as that species. In many parts of 

 the country it is even more common than the Snake. 



The name Adder, by which it is known in many parts 

 of England and Scotland, is anciently written nedre, and 

 afterwards eddre, the initial n being dropped. It is from 

 the Anglo-Saxon ncedre, — nether, lower, — from its creeping 

 position, and the name was applied to all the Serpent 

 tribe. The word Viper, Latin Vipera, is derived from its 

 viviparous habit. 



The head is somewhat depressed, almost oval, slightly 

 widening behind the eyes. Gape as long as the head, 

 ascending behind. No teeth in the upper maxillary bones, 

 excepting the poison-fangs ; a row of small teeth in the 



