BRITISH REPTILES 107 
structure shows that they are highly fitted for the 
place they hold in creation. As geological research 
tells us, all creatures now living on the face of the 
earth and in the waters, both salt and fresh, are 
really the dwarfed forms of mighty creatures that 
held sway on the earth and waters before man left 
any record. Tropical countries South America for 
one have huge serpents still ; but even these would 
look small beside the monster forms that have passed 
away all we have being their skeletons or portions 
of them, that have been kept for ages, safe in the 
keeping of Mother Earth. 
The general colour of the common snake is grey- 
green, more or less bright, dotted with black spots. 
At the back of the head is a yellow mark, bordered 
with black ; the under parts are generally yellow, 
marked with black. If this is borne in mind, it is 
easy to distinguish the snake from the viper at a 
glance. 
Although as harmless, so far as human beings are 
concerned, as a worm, the snake will show fight, and 
coil, like its dangerous relative the viper. But it is 
all show ; it begins and ends there. Many times 
have I surprised one in the open, and held my hand 
down for it to strike at. Its blow is only like having 
a gentle tap with a button. The snake does not open 
