4 TO " OUR BOYS " 



general excellence of his replies to the questions, 

 and also take this opportunity of conveying thanks 

 to the several readers in the Old Country who 

 forwarded somewhat similar letters. 



The second communication to which I wish to 

 refer is from Mrs. Maxted, of Maidstone, and I 

 think it well to reproduce this letter, because it 

 shows that my reference in Every Boy^s Book to 

 the Adder swallowing its young in the time of 

 danger has not escaped notice, and has been the 

 means of eliciting further information on an un- 

 settled scientific question. Mrs. Maxted writes : — 



" One of my boys has recently become the 

 possessor of your most interesting book. Every 

 Boy^s Book of British Natural History^ in which I 

 find that most people are doubtful as to the truth 

 of the assertion that Adders swallow their young 

 in time of danger, although you think it extremely 

 probable. May I give you an experience of my 

 own? 



Years ago, before my marriage, I was strolling 

 along the edge of a meadow, which was enclosed 

 on three sides by woodland, in the parish of Mil- 

 stead, Kent. On turning a slight corner I came on 

 an Adder lying upon the sunny bank with several 

 young ones round her. At the slight sound made 

 by my foot coming in contact with a dry twig the 

 Adder opened her mouth wide, and, to my utter 

 amazement, all the young ones (about a dozen) 



