56 



VERTEBRATA. REPTILIA. 



COMMON VIPER (Vipera Berus). 



Viper a,* the Viper. 



Distinguished from the last by being destitute 

 of anything like rattles, and by wanting a little 

 hollow before the eyes, which is found in the Rattle- 

 snakes, the Vipers resemble the Colubers in appear- 

 ance, but are highly poisonous. The English Viper 

 (V. Berus) is the only venomous reptile that infests 

 our country. It is common on heaths, dry banks, 

 &c. ; but may readily be distinguished from the 

 Common Snake (Coluber Natrix] by the series of 



* Its Latin name, from vivipara, producing living young. 



