I have purposely avoided overburdening a work of this kind, which aims at concision, with bibliographical references and synonymic lists. I am sure my readers will be thankful for being spared this display of erudition. Whenever I have had to compile, and to trespass on ground that is not my own, I have been careful to draw only from the writings of the most trustworthy authorities. The descriptions of the species are based on the collection in the British Museum, which has been considerably increased since the publication of the Catalogue of Snakes (1893-1896). I have also had access to Monsieur F. Lataste's rich private collection, now under my care, and Dr. R. Gestro has kindly entrusted to me for study the collection of Italian Snakes in the Genoa Museum. I am indebted to Dr. L. W. Sambon for the chapter on Parasites, which he has written at my request. To all who have helped me I beg to tender my hearty thanks. G. A. B. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION CHAPTER PAGE I. Definition and Classification 1 II. External Characters--Integument 8 III. Coloration 29 IV. Skeleton 40 V. Dentition 53 VI. Poison Apparatus--Different Kinds of Poisons 62 VII. Nervous System-Sense Organs 73 VIII. Viscera 77 IX. Organs of Reproduction; Pairing; Oviposition; Development 82 X. Habits 91 XI. Parasites 107 XII. Distribution 118 XIII. Snakes in Relation to Man 133 SYSTEMATIC ACCOUNT OF THE SNAKES OF EUROPE First Family: TYPHLOPIDÆ Genus TYPHLOPS, Schneider 144 1. Typhlops vermicularis, Merrem--The Greek Blind-Snake 144 Second Family: BOIDÆ Genus ERYX, Daudin 147 2. Eryx jaculus, Linnæus--The Javelin Sand-Boa 147 Third Family: COLUBRIDÆ Genus TROPIDONOTUS, Kuhl 152 3. Tropidonotus natrix, Linnæus--The Grass-Snake, or Ring-Snake 152