COMMON VIPER. 69 
the results of direct experiment, which might be readily 
made in any locality where these reptiles abound. 
The Viper, like the other reptilia, seeks a secret and 
secure place in which to hibernate during the cold months 
of the year. Here several are found entwined together, 
and in a very torpid condition; and if at this period a 
Viper be made to wound an animal with its poison-fang, 
no injury is likely to result from it ; the poison either does 
not exist at all, or it is inert. 
It frequents dry sandy heaths and waste places, not 
requiring, like the Snake, the neighbourhood of water, nor 
swimming so readily as that species. In many parts of 
the country it is even more common than the Snake. 
The name Adder, by which it is known im many parts 
of England and Scotland, is anciently written nedre, and 
afterwards eddre, the initial x being dropped. It is from 
the Anglo-Saxon nedre,—nether, lower,—from its creeping 
position, and the name was applied to all the Serpent 
tribe. The word Viper, Latin Vipera, is derived from its 
viviparous habit. 
The head is somewhat depressed, almost oval, slightly 
widening behind the eyes. Gape as long as the head, 
ascending behind. No teeth in the upper maxillary bones, 
excepting the poison-fangs; a row of small teeth in the - 
