HALF-HOURS IS' THE GREEN LANES. 



Fig. 72. 



ception, perhaps of Sweden. It is much shorter than 

 the common snake, rarely exceeding two feet, where- 

 as the latter is sometimes four feet in length. In size 

 and general appearance, it more nearly resembles 

 the viper, and it >* " i impossible it may have been 

 often taken for tne latter. Like its congener, the 

 ringed snake, it is, however, quite harmless. 



For some time back the chief places where it has 

 been found in this country have 

 been Hampshire and Dorsetshire, 

 although record is made of its 

 being also discovered in Scot- 

 land. Canon Kingsley records 

 in 'Science Gossip' for 1872, 

 several specimens from his own 

 parish, and records it as his 

 opinion, also, that it may be 

 much commoner than is sup- 

 posed, but that it has been 

 taken for a red variety of the 

 viper. He thinks it may have spread over this part 

 of England before the geological separation of 

 England and France. 



The viper is a well-known reptile, especially 

 among country people, although those less used to 

 the fields and lanes and their inhabitants might 

 readily confound it uith the common snake. This 

 is the only venomous species inhabiting England. 

 Like the common snake, it never reached Ireland, 

 the geological separation occurring before its extreme 



Head of Smootn Snake. 



