THE COMMON VIPER OR ADDER 89 



family Viperidae or Vipers. The upper maxillae bear two canali- 

 culated fangs and are of small size. The palate bears two rows of 

 teeth, and the lower jaw is provided with a row on each side. The 

 head is of triangular shape, broadest behind, and the scales covering 

 the head are small. 



The Common Viper or Adder is the only venomous reptile inhabit- 

 ing Britain, and, semi-gregarious or local in distribution, it is most 

 prevalent in sandy heaths, and other relatively hot and dry places. 

 It has retreats in the ground, and is torpid in winter. Unless 

 " cornered " or trod upon it seldom attempts to " strike," but when 

 opportunity offers speedily disappears from the presence of man. If 

 " pinned " or trodden upon it strikes and bites fiercely, the bite 

 being venomous, induces pain, sickness, even delirium, and some- 

 times proves fatal. The adder is seldom found in gardens or culti- 

 vated grounds, remaining hidden in the forest, heath, or hayfield, 

 shunning, as a rule, the neighbourhood of man. Its food consists 

 of grass-voles, frogs, unfledged small birds, hatching eggs, insects 

 and their larvae. The adder is viviparous, and it is asserted that 

 when danger threatens, the female viper opens her mouth and per- 

 mits her brood to hide themselves, but this is by no means an 

 ascertained fact. 



