TRENT PROVINCE. 321 



there he was, reared up and hissing like an old one.' 

 The average length of the adder for the district may 

 be said to be 21 inches. 



" I do not know of the smooth snake having occurred 

 in the county." — Arthur Smith (Hon. Sec. Grimsby 

 Nat. Soc), 5 Cavendish Street, Grimsby. 



" The grass (or green snake, as it is called here) is 

 the common snake of this county, and I have seen 

 ihree lying together on a sunny bank. On April 30, 

 189y, eleven of these snakes and one adder were killed 

 by a keeper and some young men in Bracken Wood, 

 at Woodhall Spa, about five miles from here. Useless 

 slaughter ! I A ring snake measuring 3 feet 8 inches 

 was recently killed at this same place. I have kept 

 this snake tame, and its only defence when disturbed 

 was inhaling air till it was puffed out and then emit- 

 ting the air charged with a foul smell. Its favourite 

 place in cold weather was under the fire-grate; but 

 when a hot coal fell on it the reptile would rush out 

 hissincj. I have seen one killed which contained 32 

 eggs. This specimen was over 3 feet long, but the 

 average length is about 2 feet in this locality. 



" The adder is much less common, but is found on 

 a heath near. The average local length is 16 or 18 

 inches. I had a dog bitten by one when out shooting, 

 but recovery took place. 



" Be colour variation. — The adder varies in colour, 

 adapting itself to its locality. On our sandy moor it 

 is a light-red or almost golden colour, with the line of 



X 



