374 COMMON VIPER. 



been called Vipera Anglica ni grans, and is by- 

 some considered as a distinct species. 



The Viper is viviparous, producing its young 

 towards the close of summer. " On the 4th of 

 August, 1755," says Mr. White we surprised 

 a large female Viper, which seemed very heavy 

 and bloated, as it lay on the gi\iss, basking in th^ 

 sun. When we came to cut it up, we found that 

 the abdomen was crouded with young, fifteen in 

 number; the shortest of which measured full 

 seven inches, and were about the size of full- 

 grown earthworms. This little fry issued into the 

 world with the true viper spirit about them, shewr 

 log great alertness as soon as disengaged from the 

 belly of the dam: they twisted and WTiggled 

 about, and set themselves up, and gaped very 

 wide when touched with a stick, shewing mani- 

 fest tokens of menace and defiance, though as yet 

 they had no manner of fangs that we could find, 

 even with, the help of our glasses." Mr. White, 

 in another part of his work, informs us, that in 

 the month of May a female Viper was opened, 

 which had in it a chain of eleven eggs, about the 

 size of those of a blackbird ; but not so far ad^ 

 vanced as to shew the rudiments of the young. 



Several intelligent folks," adds Mr. White, 

 '^assure me that they have seen the Viper open 

 her mouth, and admit her helpless young down 

 her throat on sudden surprises, just as the Opos- 



* White's Selburne. 



