REPTILES AND BATRACHIANS The grass or ring snake and the adder or viper are both frequent in some districts, more so perhaps on the marshes and the localities bordering on the marshes than elsewhere, but even where most common they do not occur in anything like the numbers they did fifty years ago. In some parts of the county both species would appear to be almost approaching extinction, so rarely are they found. The common frog is abundant everywhere in suitable localities, and the toad is here, as everywhere else, common alike in dry and wet situations. The absence of the natterjack in Essex is difficult to account for, as it is to be found in both Norfolk and Suffolk. The other batrachians, the newts, are well represented, all the species being common. REPTILES LACERTILIA OPHIDIA 1. Common or Viviparous Lizard. viv'ipara, Jacq. Locally, ' Swift.' Is common in most parts of the county wherever the district is dry enough to suit its habits, but like many of the other reptiles, inclosure and cultivation are telling on its numbers. 2. Slow-worm. Angult fragilis , Linn. Occurs commonly still in most parts of Essex. It is much feared by many people who dread to touch it, in consequence of its supposed venomous powers. Lacerta 3- Common or Ringed Snake. Tropidonotui natrix, Linn. Fairly numerous, especially near water. 4. Adder or Viper. Vipera berus, Linn. Still found in some numbers in wooded districts, but not confined to them. It is generally stated to be most common in dry districts, but in this country it is found quite as frequently on the marshes inside the sea walls. The red variety has there been found, as also has more commonly the black viper. This last is considered by the country people to be especially venomous. BATRACHIANS ECAUDATA 1. Common Frog. Rana temporaria^ Linn. Extremely common, and generally dis- tributed, especially in the neighbourhood of water. 2. Common Toad. Bufo vulgarity Laur. Common, and generally distributed. CAUDATA 3. Great Crested Newt. Molge cristata, Laur. Locally, Water Swift. Common, and found throughout the county. 4. Common Newt or Eft. Molge vulgaris, Linn. Locally, Water Swift. Very common in almost every stagnant pool in summer ; in winter often found in cellars and other damp places. 5. Palmated Newt. Molge palmata, Schneid. This is not rare. Mr. G. A. Boulenger, who first discovered this species in Epping Forest (Essex Naturalist, i. 8), gives the dis- tribution of this species in Scotland and Eng- land, and the distinguishing marks of the two allied species in their winter attire. 231
