SCOTLAXD. 345 



to be over 30 inches in length are well worth pres- 

 ervation and recording ; but till that is done I must, 

 like the majority of naturalists, remain sceptical of 

 the yard-long specimens so frequently spoken about. 

 — I am, v.^c., Eoix. 



Chambers, 136 George Street, 

 Ediitbuegh, June 21, 1900. 



Sir, — With reference to the challenge thrown out 

 by " Eoin " in this morning's ' Scotsman,' to produce 

 an adder over 28 inches in length, I have to state 

 that in 1867, when driving with my father from 

 Callander to the Port of ^lenteith, we captured an 

 adder 36 inches in length. We preserved this adder 

 in spirits for many years, but ultimately my father 

 gave the adder to the late Mr Jenner, of Easter 

 Duddingston, and I have no doubt that this adder 

 is still in the possession of »his legatees. — I am, Szc, 



Geoege L. Beattie. 



The Inch. EDrs'BUEGH, June 21, 1900. 

 SiE, — It may interest your readers to know that 

 yesterday I found an adder sunning itself on a small 

 patch of grassy ground in a moorland district of 

 Argyleshire. I did not measure it, but thought it 

 was from 18 to 20 inches in length. After dis- 

 patching it with my stick, I proceeded to dissect 

 it with the view of ascertaining on what it had 

 been feeding, and was surprised to find no less than 

 three young larks almost Hedged, evidently the con- 



