THE SMALL RED VIPER. 211 
cases, however, it is an 
unusual occurrence, and 
though its distribution is a 
fairly wide one, its numbers 
seem to be small. No doubt 
a further investigation will 
establish its occurrence in 
some other counties. 
Description.—The name 
small red viper is sulffi- 
ciently descriptive, as the 
serpent is both small, red, 
and a viper. It can be at 
once distinguished by its 
red, coppery, or ferruginous 
colour, which is the only 
colour it shows, the mark- 
ings being a darker shade 
of the same colour. The 
aigzag back - line and the 
V-shaped head-inark are 
both present in the same 
positions as in the adder, 
but the extra side-lne of 
black or brown patches 
seen in the latter have 
been absent in the speci- 
mens of small red vipers 
IT have examined. There is 
Fig. 42.—SmMaLL Rep Virer. 
