REPTILES. 279 



of any kind whatever exist in Ireland. In England, the 

 harmless tribes are represented by the Common or Ringed 

 Snake (Natrix torquata), and the venomous by the Adder, 

 or Common Viper (Pelius berus). The injurious results of 

 the bite of the latter reptile would appear to be much exag- 

 gerated. Professor Bell states that he has never seen a case 

 which terminated in death, nor has he been able to trace to an 

 authentic source the numerous reports of such a termination. 



Both species lie torpid during the winter, concealed under 

 hedges, or the hollow roots of a tree, or any other sequestered 

 and sheltered situation. The numbers that thus remain coiled 

 together are sometimes so considerable, that Dr. Carpenter 

 mentions an instance which came within his own knowledge, of 

 1,300 Ringed Snakes being found in an old limekiln.* The 

 return of a more genial season and a higher temperature again 

 rouses them to activity. Hence the remark of the poet 



" It is the bright day that brings forth the adder, 

 And that craves wary walking." SIIAKSPEARE. 



These reptiles possess, as is well known, the power of 

 changing or casting off their skin. Before it is cast off a 

 process which appears to take place at uncertain intervals 

 the colouring is dull, and the animal seems blind. When the 

 new skin is completely formed and hardened underneath, the 

 old one bursts or splits asunder about the neck, being removed 

 as the animal passes through any tangled copse. 



A remarkable difference exists between the Common Snake 

 and the Viper with regard to the production of their young. 

 The former is oviparous, and deposits from sixteen to twenty 

 eggs, which are vivified by heat. The latter is ovo-viviparous ; 

 that is to say, the young are produced from eggs; but in the 

 very act of deposition the membraneous covering of the egg 

 is rent asunder, and the young which vary in number from 

 sixteen to twenty come forth alive. 



Dr. Clarke, in speaking of the Common Snake, remarks 

 " The movements of this species are highly elegant. Its course 

 among grass or underwood is performed in a zigzag direction; 

 the head and neck are thrust forward alternately to the right 

 and left, whilst the rest of the body follows precisely the 

 same course. In its progress the head pushes aside the 

 blades of grass or other yielding bodies, and the remainder of 



* Zoology, vol. i. p. 569. 



