The Viper. 



495 



Serpents differ very much in size. We are told of 

 Serpents in the Me of Java measuring fifty feet in 

 length ; and in the British Museum there is a skin of 

 one thirty-two feet long. 



THE VIPEE, OK ADDER, (Viperalerus,) 



Is a venomous species of serpent that seldom exceeds 

 the length of two or three feet, and is of a dull yellowish 

 brown colour with black spots, the abdomen being en- 

 tirely black ; the head is nearly in the shape of a lozenge, 

 and much thicker than the body. The Viper is vivi- 

 parous ; yet it is ascertained that the eggs are formed, 

 though they are hatched in the body of the mother. 



The Reverend Mr. White, of Selborne, in company 

 with a friend, surprised a large female Viper, as she lay 

 on the grass, basking in the sun, which seemed very 

 heavy and bloated. As Vipers are so venomous that 

 they should be destroyed, they killed her; and after- 

 wards, being curious to know what made her so large, 

 they opened her, and found in her abdomen fifteen 



