DUN SNAKE. 451 



thence copied into that of Johnston, yet it appears 

 to have been in a great degree unknown to mo- 

 dern naturalists till it was more distinctly de- 

 scribed by the Count de Cepede, who informs us 

 that it is found in some parts* of France, and 

 measures near four feet in length : its colour is 

 a very pale reddish brown, or dun, marked on 

 each side the back, throughout the whole length, 

 by two dusky or blackish longitudinal stripes, 

 commencing on each side the head, which is co- 

 vered with large scaly plates : the scales on the 

 back are carinated, those on the sides smooth : 

 the abdomen is pale or whitish : the tail measures 

 about nine inches in length, and gradually tapers 

 to the extremity : the general form of the animal 

 resembles that of the common snake, but it is 

 somewhat thicker in proportion to its length : it 

 is a perfectly harmless species ; occurs in Italy as 

 well as in France, and may probably be found in 

 most of the warmer parts of Europe. 



* According to Latreille, not uncommon in ci-devant Pro- 

 vence. 



