Barrington, that no such thing ever happens. The serpent kind
eat, I believe, but once in a year; or rather, but only just at one
season of the year. Country people talk much of a water-snake, but
I am pretty sure, without any reason; for the common snake
(coluber natrix) delights much to sport in the water, perhaps with a
view to procure frogs and other food.
I cannot well guess how you are to make out your twelve species of
reptiles, unless it be by the various species, or rather varieties, of
our lacerti, of which Ray enumerates five. I have not had an
opportunity of ascertaining these; but remember well to have seen,
formerly, several beautiful green lacerti on the sunny sandbanks
near Farnham, in Surrey; and Ray admits there are such in Ireland.
Letter XVIII
To Thomas Pennant, Esquire
Selborne, July 27, 1768.
Dear Sir,
I received your obliging and communicative letter of June the 28th,
while I was on a visit at a gentleman's house, where I had neither
books to turn to, nor leisure to sit down, to return you an answer to
many queries, which I wanted to resolve in the best manner that I
am able.
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