REPTILIA. 333 



and extravagant forms of reptilian life. The British Iteptilia are 

 not numerous : they include three species of snakes, namely, 

 the Adder {Vipera herus), the Grass-snake {Tropidonotus natri.i:), 

 and the Smooth Snake (CoroneUa Icevis) — and some Lizards 

 (Lacertilia), namely, the Blind-worm {Anguis frcujilis) and the 

 Common or Sand Lizard [Lacerta doipara). 



The Adder {Vipera berus) can be easily told from the Grass- 

 snake. It has a broad head, and varies in colour from 

 greenish-grey to chestnut-brown, with a dark band of lozenge- 

 shaped patches down the dorsal side of the body. In length 

 the adder may attain as much as thirty-two inches. The two 

 poison-fangs are well developed (fig. 171, c) : through them, by 

 a small canal in each, the poison is poured into the wound they 

 cause, which never seems to bleed. Very few instances of the 

 adder bite have proved fatal, nevertheless the poison causes 

 much pain and violent inflammation and swelling in the 

 poisoned region, which may last for some considerable time. 

 Adders are particularly fond of hillsides and lieathy tracts, 

 especially where the sun strikes with much warmth. They 

 look after their young for a little while. Often the young are 

 produced alive. The food of adders consists chiefly of frogs 

 and mice. Strong ammonia rubbed into the wound is one of 

 the best remedies for the bite. 



The Grass or Ringed Snake {Tropidonotus nairi.c) (fig. 171, b) 

 is longer than the adder : they have been seen over three feet 

 in length. It is bluish in colour, with black and creamy-white 

 marks on the ventral surface, and with a yellow and black 

 band across the neck. The eggs are laid in strings in sandy and 

 dry places, and incubate by the heat of the sun ; they are also 

 often buried in leaves, which hastens their development. 



The Brown or Smooth Snake {Goronella Icevia) is from about 

 one and a half to two feet long, brown in colour, with dark- 

 brown patches on the back and with a dark-brown head. They 

 Are not very common, and feed chiefly on Lacertilia. 



The Blind-worm or Slow-worm (Anguit; fragilin) (fig. 172), 



