90 REPTILES AND BATRACHIANS. 



the Bournemouth Commons, which at various times have been 

 members of the family, were all of this decided green, lighter or 

 darker, and with the markings showing variously ; and all of a 

 beautiful creamy green beneath, with the white throat. The head 

 was darker and duller, but the head scales did not always come off 

 at the regular sloughing, and towards winter the colours were less 

 vivid. I think the fact of the male agilis being often green, and 

 of a stouter form than the female, may have given rise to the 

 impression that the true L. viridis is found in England. And 

 very probably it may sometimes be met with, as an escaped pet ; 

 but it is certainly not indigenous ; though it possibly may become 

 more acclimated in the southern counties. Comparing the two 

 closely a wide difference is seen to exist between them. 



Not only in colour and markings, but in length of tail, L. agilis 

 varies, the latter circumstance being probably due to an accident, 

 as the tail easily breaks. The head of the male is larger and 

 broader than that of the female, and his shape is altogether less 

 elegant. 



The diversity in the form of the scales is remarkable in these 

 lizards as compared with those of the slow-worm. Large plates 

 cover the head ; a few border the chin and jaws beneath, the 

 intermediate space to the neck being covered with extremely fine 

 scales ; then, forming a distinct collar, is a row of scalloped- 

 shaped scales ; and from these to the tail are small scales on the 

 back, and large ventral scuta beneath. On the tail quite another 

 arrangement appears in successive whorls, finer and finer to the 

 tapering tip. The whorled scales on the tail are common to 

 many lizards. 



In the cast-off cuticle all these variations are very distinct ; on 

 the limbs also the scales vary, those above being finer than the 

 under ones, and those on fingers and toes extremely fine, the 

 whole coming off like a tiny and perfect glove. Though the 

 body of the cuticle was generally cast entire with sleeves, etc., the 

 tail in all three of my L. agilis seemed to possess an independent 

 mode of sloughing. Having carefully preserved the cast-off 

 raiment of the whole family, with dates and particulars of each 

 sloughing, I am able to record a few particulars, chiefly concern- 

 ing the green one. who had a new coat — to his tail only — in May, the 

 first change since his arrival in April ; and not until 30th of June 

 he cast the rest of his garment, in remnants. In forty-two days, 

 namely, on August nth, he had an entire new coat, tail and all ; 

 only the head shields came oft' irregularly ; and during the 6th and 

 7th of September he again cast the cuticle, and in a very singular 

 fashion. Though the lizards, like other reptiles, might be seen 



