THAMES PROVINCE. 275 



open spaces in the woods around Dover, as well as 

 upon the grassy slopes of the downs ; but most of these 

 must perish in some way, or the woods would soon 

 become infested." — W. Hay don, 8 Amberley Street, 

 Liverpool. 



East Kent. — " The largest adder I have ever seen 

 was one that I took alive, some thirty -five years 

 ago, near Canterbury. It measured 27 inches." — W. 

 Whitaker, F.E.S. (Pres. Croydon Nat. Hist. Club). 



Canterbury District. — " The ring snake or grass 

 snake is the most common ophidian around Canter- 

 bury, and it is to be found with ease in considerable 

 numbers in all the woods in the neighbourhood and 

 on the sunny banks. Its average length is from 30 to 

 36 inches, although many larger than this are taken. 

 I have myself taken one 5 feet 3 inches long, but 

 up to 40 inches is a more general length. Those 

 caught here are, as a rule, beautifully marked. The 

 snake-habitats of the district are Chartham Woods, 

 woods on the road between Stone House and Bekes- 

 bourne, Blean Woods, Whitehall, and on the banks 

 and hills. 



" The viper is also fairly common, being found in 

 the Bekesbourne Woods and Chartham Woods, where 

 I have seen a good many in one afternoon. This 

 species here is mostly of a dark-brown colour on the 

 head only, fairly arrow-head shape, and black spotting 



