OP SERPENTS. 
253 
ay 
VIPER. 
Vipers are found in many parts of Europe, 
butthedry, stony, and inparticularthechalky 
countries abound with them. This animal 
seldom grows above two feet long, though 
sometimes they are found above three. The 
ground colour of their bodies is a dirty yel- 
low; that of the, female is deeper. The back 
is marked with a series of rhomboid block 
spots, touching each other at the points ; the 
sides with triangular ones, and the belly is 
entirely black. It is chiefly distinguished 
from the common black snake by the colour, 
which in the latter is more beautifully 
mottled ; as well as by the head, which is 
thicker than the body ; but particularly by 
the tail, which is not so tapering as the 
other. 
