RINGED SNAKE. 53 



ones are hatched, and leaving them to be vivified and deve- 

 loped by the heat of the sun, or of a dung-heap. The eggs 

 are connected together by a glutinous matter, and are gene- 

 rally from sixteen to twenty in number. It is certainly re- 

 markable, considering that the normal character of the whole 

 class of reptiles is truly oviparous, that of our five indigenous 

 species of true Reptilia, the minority only should deposit 

 their eggs before the young are developed and hatched — the 

 present species, and the Lacerta agilis ; the latter, too, a 

 recent addition to our known Fauna. 



Towards the end of autumn, or earlier, they resort to their 

 place of hibernation, in some sequestered and sheltered cor- 

 ner, as the hollow roots of a tree, under hedges or brushwood, 

 or similar places of security, where they remain, coiled to- 

 gether, sometimes in considerable numbers, throughout the 

 whole of the inclement season ; and with the first return of 

 warmth they come forth with all the other tribes which pass 

 the winter in torpidity, and resume all the functions of life. 



The Common Snake is easily tamed, and may be made to 

 distinguish those who caress and feed it. I had one many 

 years since, which knew me from all other persons ; and, when 

 let out of his box, would immediately come to me, and crawl 

 under the sleeve of my coat, where he was fond of lying per- 

 fectly still, and enjoying the warmth. He was accustomed to 

 come to my hand for a draught of milk every morning at 

 breakfast, which he always did of his own accord ; but he 

 would fly from strangers, and hiss if they meddled with him. 

 It inhabits most of the countries of Europe, from Scotland 

 and the corresponding latitude of the Continent, to Italy 

 and Sicily. In all parts of England it is exceedingly com- 

 mon ; frequenting generally places in which there is ready 

 access to water, and hence it is found in more humid places 

 than the Viper. 



So much has been said of the inability of reptiles of every 



