86 



REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



Scotland, and the Viper e of France. It is found in all these 

 countries, and in Europe generally. 



The Common Adder varies from thirteen or fourteen inches to 

 sometimes double that length ; and from two to three or even four 

 inches in girth. 



Its general colour varies considerably : in some it is olive, in 

 others reddish-brown, sometimes of an ashy-grey ; at other times 

 it is greyish-black. A waving brown or blackish line runs along the 

 back. A row of unequal spots of the same colour is observable 



Fig. 22.— The Common Adder. 



on the flanks ; the belly is slate-coloured ; the head nearly triangular, 

 a little larger than the neck, obtuse and truncated in front, and 

 covered with granulated scales. Six small plates cover the muzzle, 

 two of which are perforated for the nostrils, which are lateral, forming 

 a blackish spot. Above is a sort of V shape, formed by two black 

 bands. The upper jaw is a white ground, spotted with black ; the 

 lower jaw is yellow. The eyes are small and sharp, edged with black. 

 The tongue is long, grey, and forked. 



Adders are met with in the wooded, stony, and mountainous 

 regions of southern and temperate Europe — in France, Italy, 

 England, Germany, Prussia, Sweden, Poland, and even Norway. 



