326 BRITISH SERPENTS. 
eges in confinement, like the python in the Zoo, 
instead of leaving them to the warmth of nature, as 
ring snakes do in a state of nature. Why the change 
of habit? Was she aware of her changed conditions, 
and hence took to protecting her eggs? She laid eges 
to the number of 16 at a time. 
“T have seen a large female ring snake swallow 
four adult frogs at one meal; and have often made 
the snake disegorge frogs by stroking the snake's neck, 
the frogs being none the worse for having been tem- 
porarily swallowed. 
“T have kept a viper under water for twenty-five 
minutes 
a long time for a reptile to be under water. 
“A ring snake of mine swallowed a common toad 
and then ejected it, and would never again touch 
toads. I saw a young ring snake swallow a slow- 
worm almost its own size, but I arrived in time to 
release the slow-worm, the latter none the worse.’— 
Lin. Greening, Warrington. 
“The ring snake or grass snake is the more com- 
mon in this county, and full-grown adults attain a 
length of about 35 inches. 
“T have only met with a single specimen of the 
adder during fifteen years or more. I have never 
seen the small red variety of adder, though I have 
seen quite marked varieties. Last year I saw a very 
interesting variety from Bull Bay, Anglesey, where 
this species is common.’—R. Newstead, Grosvenor 
Museu, Chester. 
