39 



THE BLINDWORM. 





(Anguis fragilis. ) 



In external form, the Slow-worm so much resembles 

 a little snake that those of our readers who 

 have not delved deeply in the mines of Reptilian 

 knowledge will, at first, evince surprise at finding it 

 amongst the Lizards, in company with whom it is 

 placed by scientific men. But as much as first ap- 

 pearances are opposed to this union, a closer examina- 

 tion will prove that it is " the right thing in the 

 right place." The most convincing proof of this is to 

 be found in the fact that, although not possessed of 

 external legs, the rudiments of these organs are con- 

 cealed beneath the skin. The eyes, again, are 

 furnished with moveable eyelids — a phenomenon not 

 occurring amongst the snakes, but found in the 



