NOTES ON llEPTILES, AMPHIBIA, AND EISII. 135 



2. Anguis fragilis, tlio Slow-woi'm or Blind Worm. Not- 

 withstanding its snako-like appearance, this is a true 

 lizard ; this also is common with us in fields and hedgerows, 

 growing from ten to twelve or even to fourteen inches in 

 length. They food extensivoly on tin; smaller kinds of slugs, 

 which they seize across the back, like a terrier does a rat. 

 Th(!y are ovoviviparous, and have from seven to twelve 

 young, eight or nine being the most freqaent number. 



Turning next to the Ophidia (or snakes), of three lli'ltish 

 species two occur with us. 



1. Tropidonotus natrix, the Common Siialvo. This is 

 fairly common in marshy grounds, feeding principally on 

 toads and frogs. 1 have found three good-sized frogs and 

 one toad in one snake ; they seem to seize the unfortunate 

 am[)hibians by the hind limbs, and swallow them in that 

 way. I have never seen any specimens longer than three 

 feet, though they reach to four feet on the Continent. The 

 female is generally larger than the male, they lay fifteen to 

 twenty eggs, rather larger than a sparrow's, generally in 

 dung heaps or similar places. These snakes possess anal 

 glands, similar apparently to the stoat and weasel, giving off 

 an equally (or worse) oifensive olUuvium. Gilbert White 

 in his " Selborno," states that the scent is emitted, " se 

 defendo," the reptile being quite innocuous when not 

 irritated or frightened. This snake is an expert swimmer. 



It is eaten by the peasantry in the South, of Fi'anco as 

 " anguilles de hfiie." 



2. Pelias heruti, the Viper or Adder. The colour of this 

 species is very variabh^, sometimes almost black. It reaches 

 a length of about two feet. It is not uncommon on dry and 

 heathy places, as at Brockley Ooombe, whore it seems to 

 feed largely on the lizards. This snake is ovoviviparous. 

 This is our only venomous species. I have heard of several 



