NATURAL HISTORY

OF

REPTILES AND SERPENTS.

TO WHICH IS ADDED,

AN APPENDIX,

Containing an Account

Of Worms, of Corals, and of Sponges.

DUBLIN:

PRINTED BY J. JONES, 40, SOUTH GREAT GEORGE'S-ST.

1824.

PREFACE.

THERE is one peculiarity in the following account of Reptiles and Serpents, which it may be useful to mention to the young Reader. The Frog is the only animal in the collection which is found in Ireland. Amongst the remainder, the Viper and the Toad, together with one or two kinds of harmless serpents, and the Nimble Lizard, are natives of England, but the whole number, whether harmless or hurtful, with the exception already mentioned, are unable to bear our climate. Every one has, doubtless, heard, that venomous animals do not exist amongst us; but whatever may be the