40 OUR REPTILES. 



lizards. Then, again, the jaws of serpents are so 

 constructed as to expand sufficiently to admit as 

 large a body as will pass down into the stomach, 

 whilst in the Blindworm this is not the case. The 

 tongue, also, is notched at the point, but not cleft or 

 forked, as in the Ophidians. Finally, the back, belly, 

 sides, and tail are all covered with small rounded 

 scales, which, as we shall see shortly, is by no 

 means the case with serpents. For these reasons, 

 and some others too technical to deserve a place 

 here, the Blindworm, or Slow-worm, is classed 

 with lizards, and is, in fact, a lizard without visible 

 legs. 



This anomalous reptile is found all over Europe, 

 except the most northern countries, and, again, we 

 must except Ireland ; but in England and Scotland 

 it is very common. Being less susceptible of cold, 

 it is found further north, and comes out from its 

 hybernaculum earlier than most other reptiles. Like 

 the snakes, it casts its slough, which it leaves be- 

 hind, and does not attempt to devour. This is 

 generally turned " inside out," as in the snake and 

 viper ; but the tail portion is sometimes excepted ; 

 out of this the tail is sometimes drawn without the 

 skin being reversed. When in confinement the 

 slough usually comes off in fragments. 



Like the viper and the scaly lizard, the Blind- 

 worm is ovo-viviparous — i.e., its young are brought 



