1773.1 T0 JOHN BARTRAM. 455 



season, some of our merchants having imported great quantities of 

 them. They are, notwithstanding, too expensive for common eat- 

 ing, being sold for two pence, three pence, and even four pence an 

 apple. But their flavour is much superior to anything we can pre- 

 tend to, and I even think superior to the apples of Italy. 



In Italy, I observed four species of the serpent kind ; viz., our 

 common Snake, Viper, Slow-worm, and a very singular species of 

 snake, which I do not believe has been described by any one ; the 

 first three only being common to England. The first of this last 

 kind, I met with at Rome, where a couple of Italians were showing 

 tricks with it, having rendered it extremely familiar and tame. 

 This was above six feet long. 



I soon after met with another, near the celebrated cataract of 

 Terni, which the guides despatched, in spite of my wishes to the 

 contrary. I found, on examining the mouth, in which there were 

 no fangs, and from its whole appearance, that it was but a simple 

 snake. The colour head, belly, and all, was of a plain shining ash 

 colour, as glossy and free from scales as the slow-worm ; but not 

 partaking of its brittle quality. 



Beside the common Toad, that is the same as ours, they have 

 one of an enormous size, and frightfully deformed. These, the 

 peasants destroy, whenever they meet them ; and then suspend them 

 by the leg to the next tree : in which situation I have contemplated 

 many. They are all over of a dusky brown, with scarce any spots 

 discernible ; a broad, rough, furrowed head, and a mouth wide 

 enough to ingulf a moderate-sized Toad. Upon the whole, it is the 

 ugliest creature I ever beheld. 



Beside our English Frog, they have also, in astonishing abun- 

 dance, the Tree Frog, wliose appearance is far from disagreeable. 

 The males only are green and the females gray. 

 These gentry ascend the trees by millions, and serenade till the 

 autumn, living upon the dews and insects. I have many times 

 laboured to shake them from the saplings ; but they stick so 

 close, I was never able to accomplish it but once ; and could only 

 bring one home, which I presented to Dr. Fothergill. 



You could not, my dear friend, oblige me so much, as to send 

 me a few specimens of your different kinds of Oysters, and River 

 and Land Shells, of any sorts that may happen easily to come in 

 your way, without hurrying yourself, or taking too much trouble. 

 They might be packed in a box, and consigned with the Seeds to 



