THE SAND LIZAKD, LACERTA AGILIS 65 



might afterwards almost count the number of his 

 teeth, from the two little rows of indentations, like 

 a V. The skin was never penetrated. To do him 

 justice this temper lasted only a few days ; and very 

 soon he was the tamest of the family, which, at that 

 time, consisted of himself and two ladies agilis, and 

 five of L. zootoca." ^ Here is a case in point, where 

 the lizard at first showed signs of a disposition which 

 afterwards disappeared. Is it not just possible that 

 the whole exhibition of apparent temper was really 

 due to abject fear and fright in the new surroundings ? 

 One can quite understand the reptile hanging on to 

 the finger " like grim death," while being carried 

 about pendent, not necessarily from innate viciousness, 

 but from an instinctive knowledge that if he let go he 

 would fall and hui^t himself. Lizards are extremely 

 timid creatures until they become accustomed to their 

 owners, and thus exhibit all sorts of curious traits 

 when first made captive. Whether their subsequent 

 good behaviour, when they have settled down to 

 their vivarium life, is their real mood, or merely an 

 acquiescence in the inevitable, my readers must judge 

 for themselves. 



Food. — As in the case of the viviparous lizard, insects 

 of various kinds are the main diet of this species in 

 nature. In captivity, as hinted above, some specimens 

 refuse to feed, but most take food without difficulty. 



Colour variation. — When describing the sand lizard 



^ i.e. Laccrta vivipara. 



5 



