166 BRITISH LIZARDS 



far as Europe is concerned) almost universally dis- 

 tributed reptile. Although destitute of limbs, it is in 

 its essential characters nearer to the Hzards than to 

 the snakes. Though perfectly harmless, it is almost 

 without exception disliked, and often superstitiously 

 feared by English country folk. I have rarely come 

 across a Dorset country person who would not, if it 

 were possible, destroy a slow-worm. It varies con- 

 siderably in size — from 10 to 14 inches — and, like 

 the last species {L. vivipara), its young are produced 

 alive." (End of extract.) 



" All three species are found in the so-called Isle of 

 Purbeck, which (in reahty a peninsula) occupies the 

 south-east corner of the county of Dorset. The most 

 common is the viviparous lizard, found especially on 

 the heaths and downs. The slow-worm is moderately 

 common. The sand lizard has been very rarely found 

 in the Isle of Purbeck, and then, of course, only on 

 the heaths. I cannot remember having seen the 

 viviparous lizard in those parts where the soil is stiff 

 clay." — Eustace E. Bankes, Corfe Castle, Wareham. 



" The most common species in my immediate neigh- 

 bourhood is the green sand lizard. Among the snakes 

 the smooth snake is not uncommon." — F. Beckford, 

 Witley, Parkstone, Dorset. 



WILTSHIRE. 



" The slow-worm is quite common. I cannot say 

 that I remember seeing either of the other lizards in 



