SNAKE. 
SPECIFIC CHARACTER. 
Coluber Natrix. C. olivaceo-fuscus (interdum caerulescens), 
macula collari utrinque nigra, alteraque 
flava, lateribus nigro-maculatis, abdo- 
mine fusco. 
Olive brown, (or blueish) snake, with a black 
patch, accompanied by a yellow one on 
each side of the neck, a row of narrow 
black spots down each side, and dusky 
abdomen. Shaw Gen. Zool. 3. p. 446. 
Coluber Natrix. Linn. Syst. Nat. Gmel. 1 . 
p. 1100. 
Ringed Snake. . Penn. Brit. Zool. 3. p. 33. no. 13. pi. 4. 
This species is perfectly harmless, being entirely 
destitute of venom. It never commences an attack, 
and seldom attempts even to defend itself, unless when 
highly provoked ; and then its feeble efforts are of 
no avail, as the bite which it is capable of inflicting 
can only make a trifling wound. These reptiles 
are very common in woods and hedges, on the dry 
and sunny banks of which they are frequently seen 
during the summer. They are likewise found 
among bushes in moist places, and are often seen 
