62 VIPERAD^E. 



Vipera, RAY, Syn. Quad, et Serp. p. 285. 



Coluber Berus, LINN. Syst. Nat. I. p. 377. LA UR. Spec. Med. p. 97. SHAW, 



Gen. Zool. III. p. 365, t. ci. TURTON, Brit. Faun. p. 80. 

 Vipera BAUD. Hist. Kept. VI. p. 89. 

 vulgaris, LATB. Rep. III. p. 812. 

 communis, LEACH, Zool. Miscell. III. t. vii. FLEM. Brit. Anim. p. 156. 



JENYNS, Brit. Vert. p. 297. 

 Pelias Berus, MERREM, Syst. Amph. p. 148, sp. 1, a. ft. y. BONAP. Faun. 



Ital. cum. fig. 



Vipere commune, DAUD. 1. c. (an Cuv.?) 

 Viper, PENNANT, Brit. Zool. III. p. 26, t. iv. 



Var. ft. 



Red Viper, RACKETT, in Linn. Trans. XII. p. 349. 



Coluber chersea ? LINN. Syst. Nat. p. 337. 



Var. y. 

 Blue-bellied Viper, (Coluber cceruleus,) SHEPP. in Linn. Trans. VII. p. 56. 



Var. 3. 

 Black Viper, LEACH, Zool. Misc. loco cit. 



THE Common Viper is happily the sole British repre- 

 sentative of any of the poisonous groups of Serpents, and 

 indeed the only poisonous reptile indigenous to this coun- 

 try. It is far more numerous in Scotland than the Com- 

 mon Snake, and is found in abundance in all parts of 

 England and Wales, frequenting heaths, dry woods, and 

 banks. In Ireland it has never been seen ; and it may, 

 almost with certainty, be stated that it does not exist 

 there. On the continent of Europe it is extensively dis- 

 tributed, being found from the northern parts of Russia to 

 the south of Italy and Spain. It is everywhere deservedly 

 feared on account of its venom, which, although less viru- 

 lent than that of many other species, is yet sufficiently so 

 to produce severe symptoms, and sometimes, in the warmer 

 climates, even fatal results. In this country I have never 

 seen a case which terminated in death, nor have I been 

 able to trace to an authentic source any of the numerous 

 reports of such a termination, which have at various times 

 been confidently promulgated. At the same time the 



