TRENT PROVINCE. 321 
there he was, reared up and hissing like an old one.’ 
The average length of the adder for the district may 
be said to be 21 inches. 
“TI do not know of the smooth snake having occurred 
in the county.”—Arthur Smith (Hon. Sec. Grimsby 
Vat. Soc.), 5 Cavendish Street, Grimsby. 
“The grass (or green snake, as it is called here) is 
the common snake of this county, and I have seen 
three lying together on a sunny bank. On April 30, 
1899, eleven of these snakes and one adder were killed 
by a keeper and some young men in Bracken Wood, 
at Woodhall Spa, about five miles from here. Useless 
slaughter!! A ring snake measuring 3 feet 8 inches 
was recently killed at this same place. I have kept 
this snake tame, and its only defence when disturbed 
was inhaling air till it was puffed out and then emit- 
ting the air charged with a foul smell. Its favourite 
place in cold weather was under the fire-grate; but 
when a hot coal fell on it the reptile would rush out 
hissing. I have seen one killed which contained 52 
eggs, This specimen was over 3 feet long, but the 
average length is about 2 feet in this locality. 
“The adder is much less common, but is found on 
a heath near. The average local length is 16 or 18 
inches. I had a dog bitten by one when out shooting, 
but recovery took place. 
“Re colour variation.—The adder varies in colour, 
adapting itself to its locality. On our sandy moor it 
is a light-red or almost golden colour, with the line of 
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