45 



THE COMMON SNAKE. 



(Tropidonotus natrix. Dum. & Bibr.) 



A mass of Snake's eggs from a dunghill. 



EVERYBODY involuntarily shudders at the name 

 of a snake. Very few possess courage enough 

 to attempt staring one out of countenance, or 

 staying to count the number of scales on its 

 head. Fancy oneself deeply intent, with nose 

 unusually low, seeking the ruddy wild straw- 

 berry on a 'sunny hedge -bank, and even whilst 

 smacking the lips with the relish of the tart 



