NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 63 



to the blind worm (Anguis fragilis, so-called because it snaps in 

 sunder with a small blow), I have found, on examination, that it 

 is perfectly innocuous. 6 A neighbouring yeoman (to whom I am 

 indebted for some good hints) killed and opened a female viper 

 about the 2yth May: he found her filled with a chain of eleven 

 eggs, about the size of those of a blackbird ; but none of them 

 were advanced so far towards a state of maturity as to contain 

 any rudiments of young. Though they are oviparous, yet they 

 are viviparous also, hatching their young within their bellies, and 



BLINDWORM. 



then bringing them forth. Whereas snakes lay chains of eggs 

 every summer in my melon beds, in spite of all that my people 

 can do to prevent them ; which eggs do not hatch till the spring 

 following, as I have often experienced. Several intelligent folks 

 assure me that they have seen the viper open her mouth and 

 admit her helpless young down her throat on sudden surprises, 

 just as the female opossum does her brood into the pouch under 

 her belly, upon the like emergencies ; and yet the London viper- 

 catchers insist on it, to Mr. Barrington, that no such thing ever 

 happens. 7 The serpent kind eat, I believe, but once in a year ; 





