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CHAPTER XIV. 
THE OPHIDIA IN THE MONNOW VALLEY. 
AREA DEALT WITH GEOGRAPHICAL — NATURE OF DISTRICT— 
OPHIDIA FOUND—SIZE—EXPLANATION OF LOCAL DISTRIBUTION, 
Iv is proposed in this chapter to indicate brietly the 
results of the observations made on the serpents in the 
Mid-Monnow Valley. The lnes of investigation 
followed up are those applicable to the study of our 
reptiles in other localities where they have a pecuhar 
distribution, and the explanations offered for that 
peculiarity are such as may help to elucidate the same 
kind of problem in any particular locality. 
The area dealt with.—These observations refer to 
that part of the Monnow Valley where the river 
Monnow forms the boundary between the two coun- 
ties of Herefordshire and Monmouthshire, extending 
from Pontrilas railway station, on the Great Western 
ne, to the village of Skenfrith, some six miles from 
the town of Monmouth. The distance between these 
two places is about eight miles, the valley running 
