Class 3. REPTILIA. 
Sub-class SQUAMATA. 
Order OPHIDIA. 
Family COLUBRIDiE. 
Tropidonatus natrix {L.). Common Snake. 
Coronella laevis {Lacep.) Smooth Snake. 
Family VIPERID^. 
Vipera berus, L. Viper or Adder. 
Abundant in most suitable localities ; and more abundant, 
perhaps, than suspected, owing to its somewhat retiring- 
habits. Common northwards to Cape Wrath, but rare in the 
limestone districts of Durness and Assynt. AVe certainly, 
in seventeen years' and longer experience of Assynt, do not 
remember seeing more than two or three on the banks of 
the Inver or Kirkaig. Said to be abundant on Coul More 
and Coul Beg, and very abundant all through the east and 
centre of the county, and in a certain birch-wood on the 
banks of Loch Shin. 
Very common in Caithness in suitable places, on moors, etc. 
(W. Eeid). 
