64 REPTILIA. 



" Such is the most accurate and authentic account which I have yet obtained 

 respecting this curious fact in the geographical distribution of these animals ; and 

 it certainly does not appear that the failure of these attempts to introduce snakes 

 into Ireland is to be attributed to anything connected with climate or other 

 local circumstances, but rather to the prejudices of the inhabitants which led to 

 their destruction ; nor is there reason to believe that their absence from Ireland is 

 other than purely accidental." 



For remarks on Reptiles in Ireland and St. Patrick, see the Irish 

 Version of Nennius, p. 218 and 219. — Published by Irish Archsaeol. Society, 

 1848. 



The Blind-worm or Slow- worm, Anr/uis fragiUs, Linn. 



I have taken this species in Wales near Tremadoc. I saw one wanting the black 

 dorsal line entirely. — It has been brought to me in Ayrshire ; and w"hen at 

 Aberarder (Inverness-shire) I was told that it was not uncommon there. 



The Ringed Snake, Natrix torquata, Ray. 



Mr. Davis, writing from Clonmel in February, 1846, informed me that 

 the ringed snake '• has been several times introduced, but seldom if ever 

 survives the first winter. Some hundreds were said to have been liberated 

 in a demesne near this a few years ago, but not one was to be met with in 

 twelve months after." 



In the Isle of Wight it seems to be particularly common. 



The Common Viper or Adder, Pelius Berus, Merr. 



I have occasionally met with this species when shooting in the neighbourhood 

 of Ballantrae, Ayrshire. 



I was told at Aberarder in 1842 that they are fovmd there, but are scarce, 

 the blind-worm being more common. 



In August, 1848, I received a very fine adder killed by my friend Robert 

 Callwell, Esq., in the island of Islay, during that month. 



Mr. Sinclaire states tliat when he was at this island many years ago with two 

 Irish friends, these gentlemen amused themselves by shooting snakes along the 

 shore, — an amusement which Irishmen only — having no such "vermin" at 

 home — would think of. 



The Common Frog, Rana temporaria, Linn. 



This species has for a long period been disseminated over the island. 

 Of its having been introduced to Ireland there cannot be a doubt. 



In Gough's edition of Camden's Britannia, vol. iv. p. 234, " The follow- 

 ing lines by St. Donatus, Bishop of Etruria, who died anno Dom. 840," 

 are given. They refer to Ireland. 



" Ursorum rabies nulla est ibi ; saeva leonum 

 Semina nee unquam Scotica terra tulit : 

 Nulla venena nocent, nee serpens serpit in herba. 

 Nee conquesta canit garrula ranalacu." 



" No savage bear with lawless fury roves, 

 No raging lion through her sacred groves ; 

 No poison there infects, no scaly snake 

 Creeps through the grass, nor frog annoys the lake." 



It is stated in Rutty's Natural History of Dublin (vol. i. p. 290) that the 

 Frog "was brought into this kingdom in 1699 by Dr. Guithers." This 

 gentleman, who was one of the fellows of Trinity College, Dublin, is said 



