THE ADDER. Ls 
conditions can hardly be so diverse as to influence the 
colours of animals. Hot climates are often associated 
with brilliant colouring; but this is a matter of pro- 
tective resemblance, and not the point under discus- 
sion. Even if it were shown that adders in one county 
differed from those in another, climate in this country 
could not be held responsible for that difference. 
3, Kood.—A striking resemblance is seen in some of 
the lower animals between the creature and its food, 
in the matter of colour, especially in insects; but 
this, again, is protective colouration, There is no 
evidence that I am aware of to indicate that the 
food of British adders has any connection with their 
varying colours. 
4. Locality.—Locality in this connection means the 
exact nature of the soil and vegetation in a eiven area. 
This at first sight seems to afford the explanation 
sought for; and it should be stated at once that the 
theory that adders vary in colour according to the 
place they haunt is the one generally accepted. 
Personally, I do not believe it to be true, and shall 
attempt to give good reasons for that disbelief. It 
comes to this, if the varying colours of adders are due 
to the locality they haunt, then there is found in a 
single species an immense variety of instances of pro- 
tective colouration within a very hmited area. Still, 
it is very natural to suppose that adders vary accord- 
ing to their surroundings. The adder whose habitat 
is light sandy soil easily answers to the coppery-red or 
W 
