82 
3. Natrix torquata (Ray). Common Snake. 
Not so common as formerly, but still abundant in places. This 
species takes to the water readily and is a capital swimmer, it is 
said to swim across Fritton Broad, which is nearly a mile in width. 
Mr. Gurney has frequently found the remains of toads in snakes 
which he has dissected. 
4. Pelius berus (Merr). Viper. 
Frequent. Heaths and waste places. A red variety occasionally occurs. 
5. Rana temporaeia (Linn). Common Frog. 
Common. The edible frog has been found at large in Norfolk, 
and claimed as an indigenous species, but there does not seem to 
be sufficient evidence to support the claim. Large numbers were 
imported and turned loose by Mr. George Berney in 1837, 41, and 
42, previous to which time there is no certain evidence of their 
having been met with. 
6. Bufo vulgaris (Laur). Common Toad. 
Common. 
7. Bufo calamita (Laur). Natter-jack Toad. 
More local than rare, being found abundantly in many locaUties 
in Norfolk. 
8. Triton cristatus (Laur). Great Water Newt. 
Common. Locally the Tritons are called “ Efts." 
9. Lissotriton punctatus (Bell). Common Smooth Newt. 
Common. Mr. Norgate has found them at night-time in winter 
by the road side “ apparently migrating.” Mr. Gurney sends me 
the following note on this species : — “ Although this reptile may 
usually be handled with impunity, it is sometimes the fact that its 
skin possesses a noxious property which communicates a painful 
stinging sensation to the hand and arm of a person handling it, 
which does not abate for several minutes and seems very similar to 
that produced by handlmg the common jelly fish and other 
medusae, some of which are more noxious than others. 
“ In the spring of 1869 a well-marked instance of this phenom- 
enon in the Common Smooth Newt came under my notice, and I 
suspect that it may be more developed in the breeding season than 
at any other time.” 
10. Lissotriton palmipes. Palmated Smooth Newt. 
Mr. F. Norgate has found this species at Sparham. 
