Reptiles. 829 



On the Habits fyc. of the Viper in Silesia. By J. W. Slater, Esq. 



The only poisonous reptile found in Britain is the viper {Berus 

 letalis), which is now becoming rather rare in most parts. Whilst 

 residing in Silesia, where this reptile, in common with several others, 

 abounds, I made a few remarks on its habits, which may, perhaps, 

 not be unacceptable. The viper is upon an average 18 inches long, 

 although specimens of 2 feet and upwards, occasionally occur in the 

 more unfrequented forests. Its tail tapers abruptly to a point, and 

 the head, broad and flat, is marked above with a figure resembling a 

 cross. Down the back runs a black or dark brown zigzag stripe ; the 

 ground colour in the male being grey (nearly white when the skin is 

 newly changed), and in the female a copper colour or reddish brown. 

 In depth and shade of colour, as well as in the distinctness of their 

 markings, they vary much ; and this variation, together with the dif- 

 ference of their appearance after changing their skin, and the sexual 

 variety, has led to the formation of several supposed species, as Berus 

 Prestor and Chersea. As I have possessed a complete series of 

 specimens connecting these supposed species, and have moreover 

 found no essential difference in their structure and habits, I cannot 

 consider these as established. 



The viper is principally taken in the turf-mosses and bogs which 

 occur in the woods, frequenting especially the low stunted margin of 

 the forest, with an eastern or south-eastern aspect. Very remarkable 

 is its fondness for the marsh-rosemary (Ledum palustre), which grows 

 plentifully in these morasses, attaining the height of five or even six 

 feet, and imparting a peculiarly pungent smell to the air. I have ne- 

 ver taken a female viper where this shrub was not to be found, and 

 the males very rarely, only indeed at pairing-time, when they occa- 

 sionally ramble far from their usual haunts. The bite of the viper is 

 sufficiently formidable to excite alarm, and death now and then fol- 

 lows, particularly among the peasant women, who go bare-foot in 

 search of wild berries. Its teeth are not strong enough to pierce a 

 stout boot, and being also unable to climb trees, it is not very formid- 

 able. Like all other snakes, it never attacks man unless trod upon 

 or handled ; although the gamekeepers and peasants relate dreadful 

 stories of narrow escapes from its pursuit. It is totally unable to leap, 

 being only able to project its body for about half its own length, when 



