34 
NATURE NOTES. 
OUR REPTILES.- 
With the exception of the addition of a chapter (pp. 86, go) on “ Amphibia, 
or Batrachians,” almost entirely made up of a quotation from Professor Quatre- 
fages, and the alteration of the title from “ Our Reptiles,” to Our Reptiles and 
Batrachians,” this little book is simply a reprint (with all errors included) of the 
original edition of 1865. The author says in his preface, “ In making such addi- 
tions as were necessary to bring this little volume up to date, I have discovered 
that very little was necessary beyond a more definite recognition of the differences 
which subsist between the true reptiles and the batrachians.” Very little, indeed, 
it would seem ! The only “addition” to be found in the work is the following 
statement in the account of the leathery (^Sphargis coriacea) on 'll. 184: — 
“ A specimen, eight feet long, was caught in a herring net at Bridlington Quay, 
on October 15th, 1871.” Every other statement, quotation, and note of occur- 
rence of any species is reprinted verbatim, and refers to the years previous to 1865. 
The absurdity of speaking of “ the tortoises indigenous to Great Britain ” is per- 
petuated on the title-page ; and the author himself says in his preface to the 
re-issue, “ I have permitted the chapter on Gray’s banded newt to remain, and 
also the plate, although under the impression that the species has been introduced 
into the British list by error.” 
The account of Zootoca vivipara is particularly meagre and incorrect. Nothing 
could be more inaccurate than Dr. Cooke’s description of its manner of feeding on 
p. 25 : “ In an instant it darts upon an insect coming within its range, which as 
speedily disappears down its throat.” In reality, the fly is shaken so that it may 
be swallowed head foremost, and then chewed most deliberately, after which the 
little reptile licks its mouth, as a cat does after eating. 
The natterjack {Bufo calamitd) we learn on p. 1 3 1 was still found at Deptford 
in 1893 ! never was fottnd there. I have by me a letter written by the late 
Mr. Edward Newman, dated April 6ih, 1S69, in which he states, “As I go 
through the species [of British reptiles, on which he was then writing a series of 
articles in the Zoologist^ I cannot help being struck with the small amount of 
real practical knowledge that authors possess. Thus Bell speaks of the natterjack 
as abundant at Deptford, simply because I sent him a large supply when I lived 
at Deptford Thus errors are repeated from one author or compiler to another 
ad infitiitiim. As to the natterjack being found at Deptford in 1893, Dr. Cooke 
might as well have informed his readers that it is abundant in the neighbourhood 
of Charing Cross, because specimens are usually on sale by the dealers in birds 
and small live stock in Great St. Andrew’s Street close by. On p. 133 we read, 
“ In the eastern counties, where we are told that this species [the natterjack] is 
sufficiently common to be recognised by the country people as distinct, it is called 
the ‘walking toad.’” This is a mistake. In those localities in East Anglia 
where it is found, the natterjack is the rtinning toad,” so called to distinguish it 
from Bufo vtdgaris, which they call the “walking toad.” Country people do 
not usually name the animals with which they are familiar on the incus a non 
tucendo principle, as Dr. Cooke appears to suppose. 
The most interesting chapter in the book is that on the viper or adder, where 
are reprinted many startling narratives by persons of credit as to the female viper 
receiving her young into her throat in case of danger. It is a great pity this 
question has not been cleared up during the twenty-eight years which have inter- 
vened since the publication of the first issue. There seems to be little doubt 
entertained of it among observant people living where adders abound. I was 
told many years since, by a very intelligent labourer in West Surrey, that on such 
occasions the dam utters a peculiar hiss, evidently a note of warning — as is the 
peculiar cluck of the hen when she calls her chickens under her wing — at hearing 
which the young reptiles rush up to their mother and disappear down her open 
throat. He had himself witnessed the occurrence on one occasion. 
* Our Reptiles and Batrachians : a plain and easy account of the Lizards, 
■Snakes, Newts, Toads, Frogs, and Tortoises indigenous to Great Britain, by M. 
C. Cooke, M. A., LL.D. New and revised edition, 8vo, pp. xii., 200 ; 1 1 coloured 
plates. W. H. Allen and Co. Price 6s. 
