29 
The Suvke wil Adder. 
S most of the readers of this magazine are aware, we have in 
this country three species of reptiles of the ophidian or serpent 
tribe, viz., the common snake (WNatrix torquata), the viper (Pelias 
berus), and the smooth snake (Coronella levis). ‘The last, how- 
ever, is very rare and local, while the other two are pretty gener- 
ally dispersed. 
From the dread with which these creatures are commonly looked 
upon, their habits are not much studied or observed; I therefore 
propose to give a few particulars of the habits of the two common 
species, premising that the viper, which is our only poisonous 
reptile, is at once distinguishable from the snake by the deep 
black chain which extends the whole length of the spine. 
The Snake, (Natrix torquata,) although seldom seen unless 
sought after, is yet tolerably abundant in most parts of the 
country in damp woods, and the reedy margins of ponds on un- 
frequented commons, but about Wycombe it appears to be almost 
unknown.* In order to get a sight, or at any rate, a chance of 
catching this, or any other serpent or lizard, perfect quiet is ne- 
cessary. The snake feeds exclusively on frogs and toads. As far 
as my experience goes, they do not seem to have any preference 
for the former. When caught they generally throw up their last 
meal, and those which I have captured have quite as often thrown 
up toads as frogs. The skin of the snake is shed entire about 
once a month in summer, and for some days before the event the 
reptile is perfectly blind. All reptiles (excepting, of course, the 
Batrachia) are excessively fond of basking in the sun, but all do 
not bask in a similar manner; for instance, the snake lies coiled 
up in a pyramidal form, while the viper lies stretched out at full 
length. When first captured snakes hiss loudly. The unpleasant 
smell that they'also make does not arise from their breath as 
* It is to be found however by close searching ; we haye known it caught 
on Wycombe Heath and at Penn,—Eb. 
