46 



THE COMMON SNAKE. 



(Tropidonotus Matrix. Dum. & Bibr.) 

 A mass of Snake's eggs from a dunghill. 



Everybody involuntarily shudders at the name of a 

 snake. Very few possess courage enough to attempt 

 staring one out of countenance, or staying to count 

 the number of scales on its head. Fancy oneself 

 deeply intent, with nose unusually low, seeking the 

 ruddy wild strawberry on a sunny hedge-bank, and 

 even whilst smacking the lips with the relish of the 



