GRASS SNAKE 



absence of a suitable food supply, egg-depositing area, 

 character of the soil, or what not, seems undetermined. 

 It inhabits commons, heaths, uncultivated grassy tracts 

 hedges, woods, and waste places. It is rare in the North 

 of England and Scotland, and in districts which seem 

 admirably suited for it. It is the commonest Snake in 

 Europe. The Grass Snake differs from the Adder in 

 depositing eggs, and does not produce living young 

 These eggs are laid in late Spring, or early Summer, and 



Grass- anoke. 



may number from 15 to 30. Perhaps the average 



num.ber produced during the season is 20 to 30. These 



egg-masses, each separate egg being joined to its fellow 



by a sticky substance exuded for the purpose, are usually 



found in manure or refuse heaps, old walls, under 



bundles of faggots, and similar places. After being 



deposited, it takes several weeks for the young to emerge, 



and they are provided with what is called a " temporary 



horny tooth " on the snout so that the leathery mem- 



13 



