Note 53 — PETER KALM’s TRAVELS. (continued 4)

It has been found by repeated experience, that the specific character employed by Dr. Linnæus, for the distinction of the species of snakes, taken from their Scuta abdominalia & caudalia, or their Squamæ subcaudales, varies greatly in snakes of the same species, so that often the difference amounts to ten or more: the whole number of the scuta sometimes helps to find out the species; care ought however to be taken, that the snake may not by any accident have lost its tail, and that it be growing again; in which case, it is impossible to make use of this character. The character is not quite so good and decisive, as may be wished, but neither are the marks taken from colours, spots, stripes, &c. quite constant; and so it is better to make use of an imperfect character, than none at all. Time, and greater acquaintance with this class of animals, may perhaps clear up their natural characters. F. ↑