A HISTORY OF SUSSEX little hesitation in accepting the identification. Moreover I have recently had the satisfaction of finding a second specimen. This I picked up dead on July 9, 1 90 1, about a mile from the place where the former occurred. The animal was much mutilated and had probably been killed by means of a stick. This species may be distinguished from the viper (which it sometimes approaches in general colouration) by the circumstance that the dorsal scales are smooth, whereas in the latter they have an elevated keel down the middle. The dorsal scales in the grass snake also are carinated. Full-grown examples are about 17 (rarely more) inches in length. 6. Viper. Vipera berus, Linn. Generally distributed but more local and less common than the grass snake. John Perris, who has caught snakes in the neigh- bourhood of Hastings for more than thirty years, tells me that the largest viper he ever caught measured 23^ inches. The old man states that he has been bitten six times. It is known that he has been medically treated for snake-bite on two occasions, and I think his statement may be accepted. On July 22, 1900, I received from Mr. B. Parratt of Fairlight, Hastings, a female example of the form known as the black adder, which had been killed at Fairlight the same day by a member of the coastguard service. In this the ground colour is so dark as to obscure the zigzag dorsal fascia. Mr. Sayer-Milward's gamekeeper at Fairlight, to whom I showed the specimen, saw a similar viper 'a few years ago.' BATRACHIANS ECAUDATA 1. Common Frog. Rana tempo>-aria, Linn. Abundantly distributed throughout the county. 2. Toad. Bufo vulgaris, Laur. Generally distributed and common. 3. Natter-jack Toad. Bufo calamita, Laur. This species has been recognized in one locality only in Sussex up to the present, namely, on the confines of Hampshire, in the neighbourhood of Petersfield, where it is not uncommon (Rev. H. Marmaduke Langdale in lit.). The natter-jack is remarkable for its loud croak and short hind limbs. It is readily dis- tinguished from the common toad by the presence of a yellowish stripe down the back. CAUDATA 4. Great Crested Newt. Molge crista ta, Laur. Loca//y (Hastings), Jack Effet. Plentiful in most parts of the county. The breeding male is distinguished by the presence of an elevated membranous dorsal crest, which in the female is entirely absent. 5. Common Smooth Newt. Molge vulgaris, Linn. {Lissotriton punctatus. Bell.) Locally, EfFet. Generally distributed and common. This is much smaller, and the crest is festooned and not deeply serrated as in the last species. 6. Palmated or Webbed Newt. Molge pal- mata, Schneid. {Lissotriton palmipes. Bell.) Recorded from Eastbourne by C. Foran {Science Gossip, 1879, p. 186). I have taken this species from ponds near St. Leonards (Hollington, Silverhill, Bopeep), Crowhurst, Battle, Ore, Bodiam, Sedles- combe, and Hurstmonceaux. In some ponds I have found almost all the newts to be of this species. The webbed newt may be distinguished from the common smooth newt ' at all stages of life and at all seasons by the absence of every trace of pigment on the throat, which is of a transparent flesh colour ' (Boulenger). In the smooth newt the nuptial crest of the male is regularly crenate, but in this species it is low and straight at the edge. 272
