Zoology. 171 



REPTILIA. 



It is a common saying that " there are no reptiles 

 in Ireland," and using the word in the plural sense, the 

 saying is correct. But we have one reptile, the Brown 

 Lizard ( Lacerta vivipara), fairly abundant throughout the 

 country, but seldom seen owing to its protective colouring 

 and great agility if accidentally disturbed. It is more 

 abundant on the Mourne mountains than elsewhere, and 

 may often be seen basking on the sun-warmed granite. In 

 June i860 "vast numbers " appeared everywhere in County 

 Down, as recorded in the Zoologist for that year, p. 7172. 



R. P. 



AMPHIBIA. 



The Frog — said to have been introduced about the 

 year 1700 — is common everywhere, even on the tops of our 

 mountains. In March 1894 an immense assemblage of 

 frogs — estimated at from 500 to 1,000 — were observed at 

 Lough Bingian in the Mournes {Irish Nat., vol. iii, p. 115). 

 Several attempts to introduce the frog into Rathlin Island 

 have failed. 



(The Natterjack Toad is only found in County Kerry, 

 and the Common Toad is unknown in Ireland.) 



In Ireland we have only one species of Newt ( Molge 

 vulgaris) out of the three British species. The Common 

 Newt is found in ditches, ponds, brickworks, and quarries 

 all over the district, and is fairly abundant. Local name, 

 " man-keeper." 



(The two other species have been from time to time 

 reported, but authentic specimens have never been produced). 

 British species not found in Ireland : 



Sand Lizard. Common Toad. 



Blindworm. Edible Frog. 



Ringed Snake. Warty Newt. 



Viper. Palmated Newt. 



Smooth Snake. 



R. P. 



