REPTILIA AND AMPHIBIA. 



31 



are probably correct, but I myself have never seen it west 

 of Dartmoor. 



The Viviparous or Scaly Lizard (Zootoca vivipara) is not uncom- 

 mon. These are the only two lizards known to be natives 

 of England. 



The Slow- worm (Anguis fragilis). The Blind Worm. Very 

 common. 



The Snake (Tropidonotus natrix.) The common snake. By no 

 means uncommon, but local in its habitat. Couch says 

 of it that " it has been found six feet in length," but this 

 must be a mistake. There is no record of the occurrence of 

 an English snake of more than four feet in length, and a 

 specimen which exceeds three feet is unusual. This snake 

 takes readily to water, in which it swims partly submerged 

 with its head erect. 



Viper fPelias BerusJ adder, long-cripple. The only British 

 reptile capable of causing a poisoned wound ; common in 

 some localities. Never attains the size of the common 

 snake at its largest. Can swim as the snake does, but does 

 not take to water voluntarily. "Red Viper" may be con- 

 sidered abandoned as a distinct species. The story that the 

 viper swallows its young to protect them from danger may 

 be regarded as mythical. 



Newt. Two species only are admitted as English by the 

 authorities of the British museum. The crested newt 

 {Triton vulgaris), and the smooth newt {Lopliinus vulgaris.) 

 The other dissimilar newts are treated as mere accidental 

 varieties. The crested newt and its consort are entirely 

 aquatic. The smooth newt is in my experience more often 

 found on land than in water. Both species occur in Corn- 

 wall and correspond, the " triton palustris " of Couch to 

 the " triton vulgaris " and the " Triton punctatus" of Couch 

 to the "lophinus vulgaris." These little lizards are called 

 by very many names "asker," "evat," "eft," and even 

 "salamander" can be heard of them in Cornwall. The 

 newts are easily tamed and very playful. The "crested 

 newt " derives its name from the fact that the male 

 developes in the breeding season a membraneous crest, 

 which it is without during the rest of the year. 



