THE SNAKES. 



307 



The Smooth Snake is the rarest of all, especially in the 

 north of Scotland. In colour it is reddish-brown, with a 

 Smooth, double row of black spots. From the last- 

 Snake, named it is easily distinguished by the absence 

 of keel from the scales, and the consequent smoothness of 

 the latter. Its favourite food consists of lizards. Though 

 quick to resent a liberty, its bite is perfectly harmless, and, 

 when excited, this snake also, like the last, emits a strong 

 secretion. It is viviparous. 



RINGED SNAKE. 

 From a photograph in the collection of Dr Arthur Stradling. 



