THE WALL LIZARD, LACERTA MURALIS 77 



in the same detail as in the case of the other 

 species. 



Distribution. — The wall lizard is a very common 

 species in the countries of South Europe, as well as 

 across the Mediterranean in Northern Africa. It is 

 also common in Asia Minor. To the north its dis- 

 tribution extends as far as the more southern portion 

 of Germany, and into Belgium. Dr. Gadow states 

 that in the Iberian Peninsula it is found at an altitude 

 of 5000 or 6000 feet above the level of the sea. 

 Speaking generally, the distribution of this species 

 may be said to be chiefly in those countries bordering 

 upon the Mediterranean. 



Description and Hctbits. — The average length of the 

 wall lizard is from 6 to 8 inches, so that it is one of 

 the smaller species. " This graceful little creature is 

 easily recognised by the series of granules between the 

 supra-ocular and supra-ciliary scales, and usually by 

 having only six rows of ventral scales. The great 

 variety in colouration has given rise to the establish- 

 ment of many races, varieties, and subspecies. In 

 the typical forms the upper parts are brown or 

 greyish, with blackish spots or streaks, sometimes with 

 a bronzy-greenish sheen. The under parts are white, 

 yellow, pink, or red, either uniform or, especially in 

 the males, with large black spots. The lateral rows 

 of ventral shields are frequently blue. The colour- 

 varieties are almost endless. One of the most note- 

 worthy is that described as var. cxrulea by Eimer ; 



