CHANNEL PROVINCE. 271 



adder is, however, by no means uncommon, though 

 owing to its great timidity it is perhaps thought to be 

 rarer than is really the case. 



"The adders of this locality are found ranging up 

 to 20 inches, or even to 2 feet (this district is on 

 chalk). 



" The ring snakes are usually about 3 feet, and this 

 size and larger are frequently seen in the woods and 

 marshes. The largest I have, taken here was 3 feet 

 9 inches, his cast slough being over 4 feet. This 

 specimen was among the gorse of a South Down 

 valley. 



" I have never seen the smooth snake here, though 

 I have been on the look-out for it for years. 



" I have hatched both adders and ring snakes in 

 my cages, and have been very much struck by the 

 difference in ground colour, distinctness of markings, 

 and vitality among individuals in the same litter, 

 more especially in the case of the adders." — H. G. F. 

 Spurrell, Clonsah, Eastbourne. 



Chichester District. — "The ring snake is very 

 common in the lower-lying parts and the viper in 

 the sandy places. The former averages about 30 

 inches, at times reaching a length of from 43 to 46 

 inches. The adder varies from 18 to 24 inches. I 

 can get no information regarding the occurrence of 

 the smooth snake. 



