340 BRITISH SERPENTS. 
wood for nine years, but this was the only snake 
he had ever seen. For many years I have gone to 
the Lake District two or three times a-year on 
geology and botany bent, and I have never seen 
either the adder or the ring snake, so I conclude 
both are scarce.”—W. Haydon, Liverpool. 
Cumberland. 
“The adder is the most common snake in this 
county, being found in all parts, but especially 
plentifully near the coast-line. Its average length 
is 18 inches. 
“The ring snake is very rare in Cumberland, being 
quite unknown in the middle of the county. One or 
two have been seen in the north-west, and twice I 
have had eves sent to me from Caldew Valley. In 
the very south of the county it is more common, but 
when one crosses the Duddon and gets into the Fur- 
ness (Lancashire) district 1t becomes very usual indeed 
to find it, especially on the low-lying land in the 
neighbourhood of Morecambe Bay. Its average 
leneth in Cumberland may be put at 28 inches. 
“The smooth snake is not known here.”—W. Duck- 
worth, Beaeon Side, Penrith. 
North Lancashire. 
“The adder is our most common snake here, averag- 
ing from 24 inches to 30 inches, aud I have seen one 
