THE SLOW- WORM, ANGUIS FRAGILIS 33 



slow-worm drops the terminal few inches, both parties 

 attain their end. The slow-worm saves its life at the 

 expense of a little tail, the enemy gets its food, and is 

 probably also satisfied. 



The movement of a slow-worm upon the ground is 

 a wonderful thing to watch. It is almost uncanny, — 

 this smooth, even, gliding amongst the grass without 

 the slightest appearance of the putting forth of any 

 effort. Very rapid it is, too, at times, though often 

 slow and always quiet. The term slow-worm is 

 probably due to the fact that the reptile is slow to 

 move when observed. It cannot be accurately given 

 to describe individual movements, many of which are 

 extremely rapid. Very often, if the creature be en- 

 countered as it is moving along, it will stop and 

 become motionless, a habit which may also have had 

 its place in the origin of this term, and one which is 

 too often the immediate cause of the cruel persecution 

 meted out to it. 



Colour Variation. — As in most reptiles, a great 

 range of colour variation is found The different 

 appearances are due mainly to the influence of the 

 two factors of age and sex, the former having the 

 most obvious influence. When first born the young 

 slow-worms are silvery white above, with very black 

 bellies, the dark line down the middle of the back 

 being prominent. They are extremely attractive at 

 this stage, very active and brilliant. As they grow 

 older the colours change a good deal and vary much. 

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