60 PHOTOGRAPHY FOR NATURALISTS. 



reasonable length of exposure is essential. In the case 

 of the blindworm there is a further difficulty due to the 

 peculiar polished surface of its body. This polish, in 

 a light-coloured specimen, has, in the writer's 

 experience, been sufficient to cause halation on the 

 plate. Apart from this drawback, for whieh the 

 blindworm can hardly be held answerable, he is a good 

 sitter. He is the most amiable of all reptiles, and, as 

 a natural corollary, exceedingly shy. He has, however, 

 the habit of emerging from his underground retreat 

 at fairly regular intervals, and may usually be found 

 above ground displaying his full length (if he has 

 it, for frequently his tail is " gone before ") in the early 

 morning. 



The snakes are perhaps the least difficult reptile 

 subjects for the British photographer. They are com- 

 paratively large, and comparatively lethargic. We 

 have again three British species the viper, the grass- 

 snake, and Coronella Icevis. The latter is scarce, but 

 can be usually obtained by applying to the celebrated 

 Brusher of the New Forest for a " lever." Readers 

 need hardly be reminded that the viper is venomous, 

 and must be handled with caution. It is probable, 

 however, that he is far more afraid of the photographer 

 than the photographer is of him. The best variety to 

 photograph is the sandy-coloured one. The peculiar 

 zigzag marking down the back is then comparatively 

 easy to reproduce, and this with the darker coloured 

 varieties will be found a considerable difficulty. 



The figure of the viper reproduced which shows 



