98 
NATURE NOTES. 
NATURAL HISTORY NOTES AND QUERIES. 
Early Appearance of Viper. — My friend Dr. Hawkins, of Abbotsbury 
(Dorset), writes that he saw the first viper of this year on February 8 , basking in 
the sun on some twigs and dead leaves in Litton Lane, near that village. It was 
much like its temporary couch in colour. The black markings down the back 
assist the protective resemblance, as does the greater dulness of the winter hues, 
compared with those of summer. The earliest date for a viper’s appearance 
previously known to me is February 22 — Gilbert White’s record. 
William Whitwell. 
Do Snails Sg^ueak? (pp. 17, 57). — Some years ago I waged war with 
snails at Selborne. They lived among the roots of the ivy on an old wall, within 
a stone’s throw of Gilbert White’s house, and wantonly devoured the tender 
plants in our garden. They often squeaked from fear (?) when I picked them up, 
and once when they were put into a basin, and boiling water was poured upon 
them (I was assured that this was a quick and merciful death), they squeaked from 
pain. This sound is quite different from that made by them when they are passing 
across a window. Will some one tell us fww snails squeak ? 
Eastbourne. Arthur H. Courthope. 
W’e are often amused by the shrill “ squeak ” of snails, but have always con- 
cluded that it was produced in the way which Mr. R. F. Towndrow suggests, as 
it is always on a wet pane of glass, and never at any other time. At night it is 
very suggestive of the extraction of a pane of glass by a burglar with a diamond ; 
not at all like a “ wail.” 
M. S. Y. 
Hares. — The hare is always considered to be timid, and anyone observant of 
her habits will think so, but the following instance of her want of cuteness, as 
told by my cousin’s keeper, is new to me. At Pensford village, a few miles from 
Bristol, the railway crosses the valley on arches, the viaduct having low parappt 
walls. Hares from the adjoining preserves frequently stray along the line, and 
on the approach of a train will leap over the parapet, thinking there is level 
ground on the other side — of course to be picked up dead by the villagers. It 
would be interesting to know if a fox would act in this way, or be sharp enough to 
remain on top of the wall, or crouch down beside it. 
Post Bridge, Dartmoor. Giles A. Daubeny. 
Otters. —It is well known that salmon must leave the sea for the purpose of 
depositing their spawn, and that they must return to the salt water to recruit 
their strength after that exhausting process. If these migrations were neglected, 
or unduly interfered with, in the process of time salmon would cease to exist. I 
think many salmon are so constituted as to be disinclined to fall in with these 
migrations, which are necessary for the continuation of their race. Some would 
prefer to remain in the sea, and deposit their spawn there. Nature, however, 
comes to the rescue, and forces the fish into fresh water. A louse, which infests 
the salmon when in the sea, causes him such irritation that he seeks the fresh 
water to avoid his tormentors. After spawning, the fish become enfeebled and 
languid ; they seek the quiet and repose of deep, still pools, where they often stay, 
too weak to wish to return to the sea, to become diseased, and die. Here it 
seems to me that nature again interferes and provides a means of driving them 
off from this quiet indolent rife. I think, the otter is the agent. If a salmon pool 
be visited by otters, and the lazy salmon hustled, then they must stir themselves, 
and make an effort to get to the sea sooner than they otherwise would have done ; 
and many a fish that would have stayed too long in the rivers, by means of the 
otter goes down to the sea, to return again increased enormously in size and con- 
dition. Otters will feed on almost anything. They eat frogs, birds, fish, et id 
genus omne, but of nothing are they more fond than an eel ; for this they will 
give up the finest and most fresh run salmon. The special use of the otter that 
I have mentioned is, I think, little known, and if its publication in N.'vture 
Notes will contribute to lessen the persecution he now undergoes, I shall be 
pleased indeed. 
Post Bridge, Dartmoor. 
Edmund Thos. Daubeny. 
