CHAPTER XXVIII. 
IX. MERSEY PROVINCE. 
58. CHESHIRE. 60. Wrst (7.e., Mrp) Lan- 
59. SourH LANCASHIRE. CASHIRE. 
Cheshire. 
“The ring snake is the most common, averaging 3 
feet in adult state, but has been taken up to 4 feet. 
“The adder is fairly common, the adult averaging 
18 inches. 
“The smooth snake does not occur, to my know- 
ledge. 
“Thave kept all three of our snakes in captivity. 
I have bred ring snakes, and witnessed the copulation 
of these animals. The male becomes very active for 
about half an hour before copulation, cutting all sorts 
of fantastic capers, the female remaining quite pass- 
ive. <A female I had in captivity always laid her 
egos in the same spot in the cage, that spot being the 
warmest, where she and the eggs got the morning, 
noon, and afternoon sun. She always incubated her 
