SNAKE I COMMON FROG. 199 



whose abdomen seemed nearly occupied by her infant 

 brood. 



These reptiles feed on various kinds of insects. 

 The stomach of one that I opened contained wood- 

 lice : another was stuffed entirely with spiders. 



COMMON SNAKE.* 



SNAKES abound in our fens, where they sometimes 

 attain a large size, occasionally measuring more than 

 four feet in length. When surprised in such situa- 

 tions, they generally betake themselves to the water, 

 in which element they not only swim freely, but 

 have the power of remaining at the bottom for a 

 considerable time without inconvenience. I have 

 sometimes watched one, thus secreting itself from 

 observation amongst the weeds, until my patience 

 was exhausted, and I was forced to leave it, without 

 waiting for its emersion. 



The snake is generally first seen abroad about 

 the beginning of April; and on the 22nd of that 

 month, I have found the sexes in copulation : during 

 this act, they are extended side by side in a straight 

 line. 



COMMON FROG.f 



THE frog, with us, spawns about the middle of 

 March, and the young tadpoles are hatched a month 

 or five weeks afterwards, according to the warmth of 



* Natrix torquata, Flem. t Runa temporaria, Linn. 



