18 BRITISH SERPENTS. 
Tf, however, the sub-caudal scales be counted in 
these blunt-tailed ring snakes, it will be found that 
the snakes lave been at some previous time deprived 
of part of the tail by some accident. Thus, in the 
specimen figured and just mentioned, the scales under 
the tail numbered thirty-six pairs instead of the sixty- 
five or more in the normal tail. The end of the tail 
assumes the spine-like character it had originally, but 
the tail does not grow again to the former length. 
Haunts.—It may be taken for granted that ring 
snakes never make their headquarters far from water. 
Damp marshy districts they delight in, hot arid slopes 
they avoid—exactly contrary to the taste of the adder. 
This explains in great part their distribution in these 
isles. Perhaps the most favourite haunt of the ring 
snake (if available) is a quarry or other pit in the 
neighbourhood of a pond or river. In such a place 
he (or she) can indulge in the luxury of the morning 
swim in the sunshine, and retire from observation or 
for the winter’s sleep. The long rank grass, too, of 
the marshy land offers great temptations in the shape 
of food-supply: where the lizards and amphibians 
congregate, there also will the rine snake be found. 
On grassy banks, in undulating fields, it may be 
encountered, but always more abundantly in well- 
watered districts. 
Food. 
the food-supply of our reptiles, especially in the 
period of their early youth, Tn fact, T do vot know 
A good deal has yet to be learnt regarding 
