SOMERSETSHIRE REPTILES, 119 
when the young reptiles readily crawled out of their en- 
velope, and roved about very prettily when placed on the 
carpet or an unpolished table-cover. Although they were 
probably rather prematurely liberated, their colours and 
markings were nearly perfect, being only a little paler 
than maturer specimens. The snake is easily tamed, and 
brought to come daily for its food, and to notice those 
‚who are attentive to it, but will shun strangers. 
OPHIDIA. VIPERADAE. 
VIPER or ADDER—Pehas Berus, Coluber Berus.— Linn. 
This is the only poisonous British reptile. It is common 
throughout our county, but not so numerous as the ringed 
snake. The form of the viper is not so elegantly tapered, 
nor are the colours so bright and lively as those of the 
snake. The Red Viper and the Black Viper are now 
considered as varieties only of the common species. 
The AmPHIBIA, like the true reptilia, constitute a small 
group, which has been considered by authors a class of the 
order reptilia ; but Professor Bell makes it a distinct class. 
ANOURA. RANADAE. 
Common FRoG—.Rana temporaria. 
This is a prettily coloured and active creature, therefore 
less repulsive than its congeners. It abounds in early 
spring, the season of depositing its ova, in slowly running 
ditches and stagnant ponds; and in summer in moist and 
marshy meadows. Sometimes in early autumn, multitudes 
of young frogs and toads are seen migrating from the 
borders of their native ponds to more convenient habita- 
tions. 
It has been believed that the young of the amphibia 
could not be developed to the perfect form in darkness ; but 
it is has been lately proved by Higginbottom, “that absence 
of light has no influence in retarding their development.” 
