REPTILES AND SNAKE-STONES. y 



in ice during seven hours, suffered no harm by it, 

 and afterwards were developed. A snake can only 

 endure a much less degree of cold ; even in the 

 cold nights of summer it falls into the state of 

 lethargy ; it awakes late in the spring, when some 

 frogs and tritons have already finished their propa- 

 gation; it retires early into its recess in harvest, 

 whilst still the evenings resound with the vigorous 

 croaking of the tree-frogs and the bell-like clamour 

 of Alytes obstetricans. Our European snakes die 

 generally in captivity during the winter, partly from 

 want of food, partly by the cold nights. The eggs 

 of our oviparous species are deposited during the 

 hottest part of the year, requiring a high tempera- 

 ture for development. Further, though some ac- 

 counts of Batrachians enclosed in cavities of the 

 earth or trees may be exaggerated, the fact is stated 

 by men whose knowledge and truth are beyond all 

 doubt, that such animals live many years apparently 

 without the supply of food necessary for preserving 

 the energies of the vital functions."* 



In this country, all Eeptiles pass the winter in a 

 state of repose, retiring to holes, clefts, or other 

 available places, apparently secure from disturbance, 

 either in company or singly, for a quiet six months' 

 " nap." During this period no food is taken, 



* Dr. A. Giinther on the Geographical Distribution of Rep- 

 tiles. — Proceedings of Zoological Soeeity. 



