REPTILES AND BATRACHIANS Very little is recorded of the reptiles of Hertfordshire, and of their distribution in the county still less has been ascertained. The only species of which the writer can find a published record are the slow- worm (A nguis fragilis] and the grass snake (Tropidonotus natrix). It is however most improbable that any species will be added to the follow- ing list. The list of batrachians is also probably complete, but here again scarcely anything is known of the distribution of the species within the county. The common frog (Rana temporaria) and the natterjack toad (Bufo calamita) are the only forms of which there is any actual record. REPTILES LACERTILIA OPHIDIA 1. Common Lizard. Lacerta vivipara, Jacq. The common or viviparous lizard is almost ubiquitous. It may frequently be seen darting into our hedge-banks or basking in the sun on our sandy commons, but is very wary, not allowing itself to be closely approached. Mr. Alan F. Grossman says that it is ' common on Berkhamsted Common,' and the same may be said of Chipperfield Common, Royston Heath, and other similar tracts of uncultivated land. About fifteen years ago, when the pre- sent writer was residing at Wansford House, Watford, one much more decidedly green in colour than usual came into his garden. It was not disturbed, but soon disappeared. 2. Slow-worm. Anguis fragilis, Linn. Of this common species, also known as the blind-worm, we have only one record. A specimen which had not long cast its skin was captured at Watford about May ist, 1886, and was handed over to Mr. Arthur Stradling, 1 who recorded it with the following species. 1 Trans. Herts Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. iv. p. no (.887). 191 3. Grass Snake. Tropidonotus natrix, Linn. (Natrix toryuata, Ray.) The grass or ringed snake is probably not uncommon in the county, but the only pub- lished record we have is of one seen near Aldenham in May, 1886, by Mr. T. Villiers. It was rather a large one, being 4 feet long, and had left its winter quarters earlier than might have been expected in the cold weather then prevailing. Its occurrence was recorded by Mr. Arthur Stradling, the well-known herpetologist, who resided for some years in Watford, and was twice President of the Hert- fordshire Natural History Society. About twenty years ago a ringed snake was found near the river Ver at Kingsbury, St. Albans. 4. Viper. Vipera berus. Linn. It is probable that the viper or adder, which is the only venomous serpent we have, is rapidly being exterminated in the county, for whenever one is mentioned it is stated to have been killed. A specimen found some years ago in the parish of Kensworth, Herts, is in the possession of Mr. James Saunders of Luton, for whom it was preserved.
