REPTILIA. 



MS 



23. Tropidonotiis )iatrix. (Linn. Syst. Nat. i., p. 380.) Ringed 

 Snake. 



Our well known common Snake, found throughout the whole of 

 Europe and Asia Minor, did not come under my own observation, but 

 is reported from Palestine by Bottger, Fr. Miiller, and Bedriaga. 



This is its furthest extension southwards and eastwards. 



FAMILY, PSAMMOPHID.E. 



24. Ccelopellis laccrtina. Wagl. Syst. Amphib., p. 189. 



Plate XIV. 



This rock and desert Snake, a native of North Africa, Arabia, and 

 Persia, is not uncommon. I found it near Jerusalem, and in Galilee. 

 But it seems to be equally common round the Lake of Gennesaret and 

 Lake Huleh, where Dr. Lortet collected it. 



25. PsaiiDiiopliis vwniligcr. Daud. Rept. vii., p. 69. 



Found among the scrub at Tiberias, where it hunts for its prey. 

 Dr. Lortet also obtained it at Solomon's Pools, near Jerusalem, on an 

 olive tree. It hides among the leaves of trees and bushes, and darts 

 upon birds or mice from its retreat. In these habits it resembles its con- 

 gener, P. Icithi, from Persia. 



FAMILY, DIPSADID^. 



26. Tachyiiicnis vivax. (Fitz. Neue Classif. Rept., p. 57.) 



This pretty species, of a bluish-grey colour, with black spots, is 

 common under stones. Noticed near Jerusalem, Tabor, Tiberias, and 

 other places. 



It appears to be crepuscular or nocturnal in its habits, feeding chiefly 

 on lizards. 



This Snake inhabits South-eastern Europe from Illyria eastwards, 

 the countries bordering on the Black Sea and the Caspian, Syria and 

 Egypt. 



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