The Washington times., 1901-10-06
SNAKES IN ENGLAND.
Only Three Varieties Are Recognize
ed in Great Britain.

Only three kinds are generally recogniz-
ed in these islands-the smooth snake. the
ringed snake. and the adder. Ireland, in
deed, has always claimed, by favor of st.
Patrick, to be free from these reptiles,
though last autumn two specimens of the
ringed snake were actually found in Coun-
| ty Wicklow. Probably they had been i'm
! ported, and. as they were killed. the
| Saints ban, after all. may have driven
| them TO their doom. Of the three British
| species one, the smooth snake, named by
biologists Coronella Austriaca. is rare.
In fact, it was not observed till 1858, and
has seldom been found except in Hamp-
shire, Dorset. and Surrey, perhaps most
frequently in the Bournemcuth district.
When full grown it is about couple of
feet long and might at the first glance be
thought an adder. The ringed snake is
less likely to suffer from mistaken identi-
ty for its markings and general tints do
not resemble those of the latter. Indeed 1t
deserves encouragement. since it has been
known to swallow an adder. though mice
and moles, water nevis. frogs. and tOads,
with the eggs and young of birds. form its
usual diet. 1T is the largest of our snakes,
for specimens yard long are not uncom-
mon, and a giant of its kind measuring
five feet eight inches, was once captured
In the New Forest. In the September of
last year a house at Cefncaeau, near
Llanelly, was said to be suffering from a
plague OF snakes. The story has been
carefully investigated.
In one house no fewer than twenty-five
were found, which, however, were ali
small. But very soon there would have
been many more. for in an old back wall
from which they had been seen to issue
containing a young ringed snake just
ready for Matching. The hunt was then
carried further afieId, and those reptiles
were found to be extraordinarily abund-
ant in an old quarry a short distance
from the gardens behind the house. They
are not the kind of visitors timid people
would welcome, although, whether big or
little. they are perfectly harmless. and the
only serious objection TO them is that
when disturbed they are apt to emit
ilI-smeTling fluid. The adder, however has
teeth fitted with poison glands, and is
really dangerous. 1t does not use these
TO secure its ordinary food, but only II
the prey is larger than usual, or In self
defence as for instance, If il is trodden
on The venom is frequently fatal to dogs,
not seldom to sheep, and 1t has been
known to kill a bullock. The cause of
death in such cases is failure of the heart
but IL that is averted rather severe local
blood poisoning may ensue. Grown per-
sons do not often die from the effects of
a bite. though a few such cases are on
record; but the poison causes considerable
suffering, and recovery may not be COM
plete for some weeks. With children the
danger is. of course. greater. The bright
day brings forth the adder-that Graves
wary walking" 1t Is smaller than the
ringed snake. for its length seldom ex-
ceeds a couple OF feet. its head is more
spoon-shaped, 1t is differently marked
and is more variable In color. Different
explanations have been advanced to ac-
count for the last fact; sex and age may
have more to do with L than anything
else-London Standard