REPTILES AND BATRACHIANS 



The grass or ring snake and the adder or viper are both frequent 

 in some districts, more so perhaps on the marshes and the localities 

 bordering on the marshes than elsewhere, but even where most common 

 they do not occur in anything like the numbers they did fifty years ago. 

 In some parts of the county both species would appear to be almost 

 approaching extinction, so rarely are they found. 



The common frog is abundant everywhere in suitable localities, 

 and the toad is here, as everywhere else, common alike in dry and wet 

 situations. 



The absence of the natterjack in Essex is difficult to account for, 

 as it is to be found in both Norfolk and Suffolk. 



The other batrachians, the newts, are well represented, all the 

 species being common. 



REPTILES 



LACERTILIA 



OPHIDIA 



1. Common or Viviparous Lizard. 



viv'ipara, Jacq. 



Locally, ' Swift.' 

 Is common in most parts of the county 

 wherever the district is dry enough to suit 

 its habits, but like many of the other reptiles, 

 inclosure and cultivation are telling on its 

 numbers. 



2. Slow-worm. Angult fragilis , Linn. 



Occurs commonly still in most parts of 

 Essex. It is much feared by many people 

 who dread to touch it, in consequence of its 

 supposed venomous powers. 



Lacerta 3- Common or Ringed Snake. Tropidonotui 



natrix, Linn. 

 Fairly numerous, especially near water. 



4. Adder or Viper. Vipera berus, Linn. 



Still found in some numbers in wooded 

 districts, but not confined to them. It is 

 generally stated to be most common in dry 

 districts, but in this country it is found quite 

 as frequently on the marshes inside the sea 

 walls. The red variety has there been found, 

 as also has more commonly the black viper. 

 This last is considered by the country people 

 to be especially venomous. 



BATRACHIANS 



ECAUDATA 



1. Common Frog. Rana temporaria^ Linn. 



Extremely common, and generally dis- 

 tributed, especially in the neighbourhood of 

 water. 



2. Common Toad. Bufo vulgarity Laur. 

 Common, and generally distributed. 



CAUDATA 



3. Great Crested Newt. Molge cristata, 



Laur. 



Locally, Water Swift. 

 Common, and found throughout the county. 



4. Common Newt or Eft. Molge vulgaris, 



Linn. 



Locally, Water Swift. 



Very common in almost every stagnant 

 pool in summer ; in winter often found in 

 cellars and other damp places. 



5. Palmated Newt. Molge palmata, Schneid. 



This is not rare. Mr. G. A. Boulenger, 

 who first discovered this species in Epping 

 Forest (Essex Naturalist, i. 8), gives the dis- 

 tribution of this species in Scotland and Eng- 

 land, and the distinguishing marks of the two 

 allied species in their winter attire. 



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