A HISTORY OF DERBYSHIRE in Derbyshire, especially in the south Derby- shire plain, from which the adder is absent. The Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain, writing to me on September 3, 1901, says: 'About four examples have been killed in the Ashbourne district since 1880 (one a large one, 4 feet long), but they are by no means common.' I recently examined a specimen 3 feet I inch in length, in the possession of Mr. Adsetts of Derby, which had been killed near Helper. Mr. Hutchinson informs me by letter that he has received various specimens from the vicinity of Derby, and he considers the ringed snake ' fairly common ' in his locality. One example came under his notice as it was in the act of swallowing a frog at Littleover, within two miles of Derby. The ringed snake also occurs at Bretby and near Woodville. I have not heard of its appearance near Burton since 1885. 4. Viper or Adder. Vipera berus, Linn. Very local. Almost confined to the north Derbyshire moors. Has occasionally occurred near the Leicestershire border, such specimens being probably strays from Charnwood Forest, Breadsall Moor (E. Brown) and Darley Dale (A. G. Darwin). BATRACHIANS ECAUDATA 1. Common Frog. Rana temporaria, Linn. Common and generally distributed. 2. Common Toad. Bufo vulgar is, Laur. Common and generally distributed. CAUDATA 3. Great Crested or Warty Newt. Molge cnstata, Laur. Fairly common in ponds and ditches. 4. Common or Smooth Newt, Eft. Molge vulgaris, Linn. Triton punctatus, Latr. Rather more abundant than the last named and found in similar situations. The species, in common with the crested newt, is liable to possess additional digits on both the fore and hind feet. One individual taken at Stapen- hill in July, 1 900, and which I kept alive for some time, possessed five complete feet, an additional limb being developed from the left shoulder.
