REPTILES 
AND BATRACHIANS 
The meagre fauna of the British Islands (meagre, that is, regarding 
these classes of animals) renders it unnecessary for me to dwell upon the 
forms indigenous to Cumberland at any length. It is possible that the 
smooth snake (Corone//a austriaca) may yet be found upon Bowness Moss, 
where I fancied that I once recognized a pink-bellied specimen ; but, in 
the meantime, the natterjack (Bufo ca/lamita) and the palmated newt 
(Molge palmata) must be considered the most interesting species estab- 
lished within the area now under consideration. The precise distribu- 
tion of the last-named animal has still to be worked out in detail. 
REPTILES 
LACERTILIA 
1. Common Lizard. Lacerta vivipara, Jacq. 
Locally, Land Ask, Dry Ask. 
A common resident upon our high fells as 
well as low grounds. 
2. Slow-worm. Anguis fragilis, Linn. 
Very thinly distributed, but tolerably con- 
stant to favourite localities. 
OPHIDIA 
3. Grass Snake. Tropidonotus natrix, Linn. ; 
Natrix torquata, Ray. 
A very local resident in wooded parts of the 
county, chiefly in the south and west, though 
present also in the north. 
4. Viper. Vipera berus, Linn. 
Locally, Hag-Worm. 
Abundant on our moors and mosses, but I 
have never met with the red variety outside 
the Whitehaven Museum. ‘That institution 
possesses a specimen which was caught near 
Rig House, Dean, and is remarkable for being 
of a dull ferruginous red, with markings of a 
dark mahogany colour. 
BATRACHIANS 
ECAUDATA 
1. Common Frog. Rana temporaria, Linn. 
Locally, Paddock. 
Universally distributed, and frequently 
preyed upon by polecats. I have seen many 
pleasing varieties, chiefly immature specimens. 
2. Common Toad. Bufo vulgaris, Laur. 
Locally, Paddock. - 
A very abundant resident. 
3. Natterjack Toad. Bufo calamita, Laur. 
Unknown in the interior of the county, 
except at Egremont, but present at several 
points of the coast abutting the Solway Firth. 
I have often obtained specimens from Castle- 
town, where many of these toads frequented 
an old yew hedge. I have also taken speci- 
mens from Bowness to Maryport, but not 
further south. At Allonby the natterjack 
showed a great partiality for my strawberry 
beds. It was likewise in the habit of visiting 
my cellars. In my experience this species is 
almost entirely nocturnal in its habits, at least, 
I have never seen it stirring earlier than about 
dusk. 
I 177 N 
