SNAKES 



149 



exceeds two feet in length, grows exceedingly fast, as two 

 specimens in my possession grew from eight to fifteen 

 inches within a period of only nine months, a remarkable 

 rate when we take the snake's maximum length into con- 

 sideration. Although doing well in captivity, feeding on 

 lizards, it never loses its habit of biting, and gently fastens 

 its jaws into the hand that holds it, without snapping, 

 hissing, or, in fact, giving any form of warning. The snake 

 is ovo-viviparous, the broods, which are produced in 

 August and September, consisting of six to twelve young, 

 measuring about five inches in length. 



The Southern Smooth Snake, C. girondica, inhabits 

 the South of France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Sicily, 

 occurring in some localities along with C. austriaca. Its 

 colour is brown, grey, or yellowish above, with dark or 

 blackish spots or transverse bars, and with a U-shaped 

 marking situated on the neck ; the principal distinction, 

 however, lies in the coloration of the lower parts, which 

 are yellow or red, with squarish spots, often disposed in 

 two longitudinal series. The habits of this species differ 

 somewhat from that of its commoner congener, being 

 more or less nocturnal, seldom showing itself in the day, 

 but leaving its retreat usually only after sunset. It is very 

 slow in its movements, and consequently crushed specimens 

 are not infrequently encountered on paths and roads. It 

 differs also in being extremely gentle, never biting. Like 

 the preceding species it frequents dry and usually sandy 

 localities, feeding almost entirely upon lizards. Its mode 

 of reproduction is unknown. 



The King Snake, C. getula, of North America, an ovi- 

 parous species, which reaches a length of over six feet, is 



