164 BRITISH LIZARDS 



F.RS., which was read before the Dorset Natural 

 History and Antiquarian Field Club on March 15 th, 

 1894. I am informed that it applies with equal 

 truth to the present date. 



" Sand Lizard {Lacerta agilis, Linn.). 



" The length of this reptile often reaches 7 inches 

 or slightly over. It is a beautiful species, and prob- 

 ably well known to most of our members who live in 

 or near the heath districts. Its colour varies from 

 bright green to dark rich brow^n, their hues being 

 often intermingled in parts of the same individual, 

 and always marked with numerous bright white or 

 yellowish spots margined with black. In capturing 

 this species care should be taken not to hold it 

 by the tail, as it at once endeavours to get free by 

 stiffening and snapping the tail off. A new tail will 

 in time grow from the stump, but it is always of 

 a more stumpy form than the original one, and its 

 junction is plainly visible. I have frequently come 

 across individuals with such stumpy tails, and have 

 conjectured that they may have been lost in escaping 

 from their enemy, the smooth snake {Coronella Icevis), 

 which appears to feed upon this lizard. (See Proc. 

 Dorset N. H. and A. F. Cluh, vol. vii. p. 88.) 



" This species may be kept alive in confinement. I 

 have had them in a glass case, with heather and grass 

 on its floor, for months together, feeding them with 

 flies and other insects, and keeping a small saucer 



