BEPTILIA AND AMPHIBIA. 
31 
are probably correct, but I myself have never seen it -west 
of Dartmoor. 
The Viviparous or Scaly Lizard [Zootoca vivipara) is not uncom- 
mon. These are the only two lizards known to bo natives 
of England. 
The Slow-worm fAnguk fragilisj. The Blind Worm. Very 
common. 
The Snake {TropiAonotus natrix.') The common snake. By no 
means uncommon, but local in its habitat. Couch says 
of it that “it has been found six feet in length,” but this 
must be a mistake. There is no record of the occurrence of 
an Englisli snake of more than four feet in length, and a 
specimen which exceeds three feet is unusual. This snake 
takes readily to water, in which it swims partly submerged 
with its head erect. 
Viper fPelias Berusj adder, long-cripple. The only British 
reptile capable of causing a poisoned wound ; common in 
some localities. Never attains the size of the common 
snake at its largest. Can swim as the snake does, but does 
not take to water voluntarily. “Eed Viper” may be con- 
sidered abandoned as a distinct species. The story that the 
viper swallows its young to protect them from danger may 
be regarded as mythical. 
Newt. Two species only are admitted as English by the 
authorities of the British museum. The crested newt 
{Triton vulgar ii), and the smooth newt {Lophinus vulgaris.) 
The other dissimilar newts are treated as mere accidental 
varieties. The crested newt and its consort are entirely 
aquatic. The smooth newt is in my experience more often 
found on land than in water. Both species occur in Corn- 
wall and correspond, the “triton palustris ” of Couch to 
the “ triton vulgaris ” and the “Triton punctatus” of Couch 
to the “ lophinus vulgaris.” These little lizards are called 
by very many names “asker,” “evat,” “eft,” and even 
“salamander” can be heard of them in Cornwall. The 
newds are easily tamed and very playful. The “crested 
newt” derives its name from the fact that the male 
developes in the breeding season a membraneous crest, 
which it is without during the rest of the year. 
