126 RINGED SNAKE, OR GRASS SNAKE. 



this creature has been caught, the locality was also inhabited by the sand lizard (Lacerta 

 stirpiuni), and it is rather remarkable, that upon the Continent, where the Snake is 

 tolerably common, these two species are generally found in the same locality. In 

 general appearance, this Snake is not unlike the viper, and is about the same size, 

 attaining a length of two feet when adult. It may, however, easily be known from the 

 viper, by the absence of the chain of dark lozenge-shaped marks upon the back, for 

 which is substituted a double series of small dark spots, one row at each side of the 

 spine. There is a dark patch upon the shoulder and head, and under the eyes runs a 

 blackish streak. The body is generally brown, but the depth and tone of the ground 

 color and the markings are extremely variable, but are almost always darker towards 

 the head. Below, the color is light brown, often marbled with black. The neck is 

 large, being scarcely smaller than the body. 



The BLACK SNAKE or ZWARTE SLANG (Coronella cana) of Southern Africa, belongs to 

 the same genus. 



This reptile is common throughout Southern Africa, but is not very often seen, on 

 account of its timid habit of hiding itself in some crevice, except when in search of food, 

 or when coiled up in repose enjoying the hot beams of the sun. When young, it 

 frequents little hillocks covered with stones, but when it reaches adult age, it takes to 

 the plains, preferring those that are of a sandy nature, interspersed with little shrubs. 

 It is a shy reptile, and mostly runs away when alarmed. Sometimes, however, it will 

 turn upon the pursuer, and if grasped will coil itself round the arm and squeeze so 

 tightly, that the hand becomes numbed and unable to retain its hold. 



Many Snakes are variable in their coloring, but the Black Snake is, perhaps, the 

 most remarkable among them for this peculiarity. Usually, as its name imports, it is 

 black, but sometimes it is bright chestnut. Many specimens are gray, mottled with 

 black, while others are chestnut, marbled with deep rich brown. When full grown, it at- 

 tains a length of seven feet. 



OUR common GRASS SNAKE, or RINGED SNAKE, is a good example of the Natricidae. 



It is extremely plentiful throughout England, being found in almost every wood, 

 copse, or hedgerow, where it may be seen during the warm months of the year, sunning 

 itself on the banks, or gently gliding along in search of prey, always, however, betray- 

 ing itself to the initiated ear by a peculiar rustling among the herbage. Sometimes it may 

 be*witnessed while in the act of creeping up a perpendicular trunk or stem, a feat which 

 it accomplishes, not by a spiral movement, as is generally represented by artists, but by 

 pressing itself firmly against the object, so as to render its body flatter and wider, and 

 crawling up by the movement of the large banded scales of the belly, the body being 

 straight and rigid as a stick, and ascending in a manner that seems almost inexplicable. 



The Ringed Snake is perfectly harmless, having no venomous fangs, and all its teeth 

 being of so small a size that even if the creature were to snap at the hand, the skin 

 would not be injured. Harmless though the Serpent be, it will occasionally assume so 

 defiant an air, and put on so threatening an aspect, that it would terrify those who 

 were not well acquainted with its habits. I have kept numbers of these Snakes, and 

 have often known them, when irritated, draw back their heads and strike at the hand 

 in true viperine fashion. Indeed, the venomous look of the attitude is so strong, that 

 I never could resist the instinctive movement of withdrawing the hand when the Snake 

 made its stroke, although I knew full well that no injury could ensue. 



The food of the Ringed Snake consists mostly of insects and reptiles, frogs being the 

 favorite prey. I have known Snakes to eat the common newt, and in such cases the 

 victim was invariably swallowed head first, whereas the frog is eaten in just the opposite 

 direction. Usually, the frog, when pursued by the Serpent, seems to lose all its energy, 

 and instead of jumping away, as it would do if chased by a human being, crawls slowly 

 like a toad, dragging itself painfully along as if paralyzed. The Snake, on coming up 

 with its prey, stretches out its neck and quietly grasps one hind foot of the frog, which 

 thenceforward delivers itself up to its destroyer an unresisting victim. 



