THAMES PROVINCE. 275 
open spaces in the woods around Dover, as well as 
upon the grassy slopes of the downs; but most of these 
must perish in some way, or the woods would soon 
become infested.’—W. Haydon, 8 Amberley Street, 
Liverpool. 
East Kent.—< The largest adder I have ever seen 
was one that I took alive, some thirty-five years 
ago, near Canterbury. It measured 27 inches.”—W. 
Whitaker, F.R.S. (Pres. Croydon Nat. Hist. Club). 
CANTERBURY Disrrict.—* The ring snake or grass 
snake is the most common ophidian around Canter- 
bury, and it is to be found with ease in considerable 
numbers in all the woods in the neighbourhood and 
on the sunny banks. Its average leneth is from 30 to 
36 inches, although many larger than this are taken. 
I have myself taken one 5 feet 3 inches long, but 
up to 40 inches is a more general length. Those 
caught here are, as a rule, beautifully marked. The 
snake-habitats of the district are Chartham Woods, 
woods on the road between Stone House and Bekes- 
bourne, Blean Woods, Whitehall, and on the banks 
and hills. 
“The viper is also fairly common, being found in 
the Bekesbourne Woods and Chartham Woods, where 
I have seen a good many in one afternoon. This 
species here is mostly of a dark-brown colour on the 
head only, fairly arrow-head shape, and black spotting 
