COMMON VIPER. 59 



Specific Character. — Brown, with a series of confluent rhoniboidal black 

 spots along the back. 



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



Coluber Berus, Linn. Syst. Nat. I. p. 377. Laur. 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, Lair. Rept. III. p. 812. 



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

 Jevyns, Brit. Vert. p. 297. 

 Pelias Berus, Merrem, Syst. Amph. p. 148, sp. 1, a. /S. y. Bonap. Faun. 



Ital. cum. fig. 

 Viptre commune, Daud. I.e. (an Cuv.?) 

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



Var. /3. 

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



Coluber chersea 1 Linn. Syst. Nat. p. 337. 



Var. y. 

 Blue-bellied viper, (Coluber ctzruleus,) Shepp. in Linn. Trans. VII. p. 56. 



Var. h 

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



The Common Viper is happily tlie sole British represen- 

 tative of any of the poisonous groups of Serpents, and indeed 

 the only poisonous reptile indigenous to this country. It is 

 far more numerous in Scotland than the Common 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 distributed, 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 virulent than that of many other species, 

 is yet sufficiently so to produce severe symptoms, and some- 

 times, 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 



