BEITISH REPTILES 



83 



towards the study of reptiles, to observe these animals especially in 

 the light of their adaptations to surroundings. Although owing to 

 the small number of British species of reptiles, such results as have 

 been obtained in other countries * are not to be expected, yet it is 

 impossible to doubt that careful scrutiny will bring to light many 

 local differences of colour and habits. In the case of the amphibia 

 which will be discussed in Part II, this is still more feasible than 

 with the reptiles, since their numbers are greater and they are more 

 easy to observe. 



The following list will show the general distribution of reptiles 

 in the British Islands : 



ENGLAND. 

 Abundant 



LIZARDS 



SNAKES - 



Common viviparous 



lizard 

 Sand Lizard 



Blind Worm 

 Grass Snake 

 Adder or Viper 



Smooth Snake 



SCOTLAND. 

 Abundant 



IRELAND. 

 Occurs 



In the South 

 only 



Common 



Common 



In heathery 

 Districts 



Hampshire, Dorset- 

 shire and Berkshire 



Unknown 



Unknown 



* Such as for instance Dr Bottger's observations upon the special adaptations of reptiles 

 to a desert existence (Zool. Garten, I, 1899). 





