SEVERN PROVINCE. 299, 
were laid at one time, but separate from one another.” 
—Bb. J. Horton, Sparkbrook, Birmingham. 
WOLVERHAMPTON District.—“ The common ring 
snake is the only species which occurs in this dis- 
trict, and these I have seen in plantations, their 
length being from 18 inches to 2 feet. These 
snakes become common at Coalbrookdale, in Shrop- 
shire, some eighteen miles’ from here.”’— Wm. 
Hutchinson, F.G.8., Wolverhampton. 
Staffordshire. 
“The ring suake is found generally in the county, 
especially in the dry uncultivated woodland districts. 
In some parts of the north of the county, especially 
in the valley of the river Churnet, is this snake 
common, one might almost say abundant, and may 
be seen any sunny day in early summer and until 
the end of September if the season is a warm one. 
In winter the snakes are said to coneregate in some 
numbers amongst stones and in walls near the large 
lime-kilns at Froghall, attracted by the warmth of 
the large kiln-fires. 
“The adder is found in the uncultivated mosses 
and marshy grounds of Cannock Chase and Chartley 
Park, Whitmore, and Wybunbury, but is not 
conunon, and is becoming rarer as drainage takes 
place. It is a useful animal to the farmer, destroy- 
ing large numbers of mice and voles. After cast- 
