THE SMOOTH SNAKE. 57 



in existence, it would have been doubtful whether, 

 on such incomplete details, it had been prudent to 

 recognize the Smooth Snake as a British native. 

 All who have devoted themselves to the study of 

 the natural history sciences know how very essential 

 it is that the evidence of the occurrence of any new, 

 or supposed new species, should be complete and 

 authentic. Deficiencies in these respects have here- 

 tofore caused infinite trouble, and too great pru- 

 dence cannot be exercised in the endeavour to 

 prevent their occurrence again. In this case we 

 think the evidence sufficient, as above detailed, for 

 the recognition of the present species as a true 

 native. 



The Smooth Snake inhabits central and southern 

 Europe, is found in various parts of France, but is 

 not very common in the south of that country : it 

 occurs in Sicily and in the whole of Italy and its 

 islands, but is more frequent in the north than in 

 the south of that peninsula ; it is included in the 

 fauna of Galicia and the Bukovina, Silesia, and 

 Carniola ; it is common in Switzerland, near Zurich, 

 but rare in Belgium, where it has been met with 

 near Louvain, and on the right bank of the Moselle. 

 Schinz states that it has been found in Sweden, but 

 it is everywhere less abundant than the common 

 snake.* 



* Lord Clermont's " Quadrupeds and Reptiles of Europe," 



