THE BLINDWORM. 4] 



forth alive, from seven or eight to ten or twelve 

 at a birth. 



There is one peculiarity in this reptile, which is 

 met with in no other British species ; whence its 

 specific name of fragilis is derived. When attacked, 

 alarmed, or taken hold of, it becomes rigid ; and in 

 this condition any effort to bend it results in break- 

 ing off a portion of the tail ; a slight blow will sever 

 it in the same manner ; and when taken hold of by 

 the tail it will sometimes make its escape, leaving 

 that extremity in the hand. Within certain limits 

 it has also the power of replacing the broken part ; 

 for a short conical tip at length occupies the place 

 of the severed tail. It is very inoffensive, quiet, 

 timid, and retiring in its habits ; and is, in fact, a 

 model of reptile virtues, without possessing any taint 

 of reptile vices. Like some friends, it " improves 

 upon a closer acquaintance." 



Mr. George Daniel has given us some of the most 

 complete observations on the habits of this reptile : — 

 "A Blindworm that I kept alive for nine weeks 

 would, when touched, turn and bite, although not 

 very sharply ; its bite was not sufficient to draw 

 blood, but it always retained its hold until released. 

 it drank sparingly of milk, raising the head when 

 drinking. It fed upon the little white slug, so 

 common in fields and gardens, eating six or seven of 

 them, one after the other ; but it did not eat every 



