THE COMMON SNAKE. 47 



tart little fruit but lately conveyed there, about to 

 pluck another yet larger and redder, when lo ! be- 

 neath our very fingers glides the sleek, attenuated 

 form of the reptile — ay, within ten inches of our 

 depressed nose. Under such circumstances, should 

 we be surprised at finding ourselves starting back ; 

 at feeling a slight and momentary sensation, as of a 

 drop of water trickling down our back ; or at for- 

 getting to observe whether the intruder was really a 

 viper or a snake ? 



What is called the Common (Plate 3.) or Ringed 

 Snake with us, is really the most common snake in 

 Europe. It is found in almost every country from 

 Sweden in the North, to Sicily in the South, ex- 

 cepting Ireland, whence it is said to have been 

 banished by the good Saint Patrick, and in the 

 extreme north of Russia, whence it is probably 

 excluded by the temperature, independent of saintly 

 proscription. In Britain it is far more common 

 in the South than in the North ; some have 

 even had the temerity to deny its occurence in 

 Scotland, but apparently without good foundation. 

 Attempts have been made to introduce it into 

 Ireland, an account of one such being narrated in 

 Bell's " British Reptiles." But the hand of every 

 true Irishman was armed against the innovation, and 

 the imports soon suffered extermination. 



However, one may shudder at the sight of a snake, 



