44 ANGUIDiE. 



structure, and the relations which it indicates, form an un- 

 answerable argument of the fallacy of the position, that 

 external characters are in all cases sufficient to indicate 

 affinities ; and shew of how much importance, or rather 

 how essential, is the anatomical investigation of internal 

 structure, to enable us to arrive at the true relations of 

 individual species or of groups. 



The Blind-worm, or Slow-worm, by which names this 

 species is known indifferently in this country, is found in 

 almost every part of Europe, excepting the extreme north, 

 and is capable of enduring a much colder climate than 

 most other reptiles even of our own country. It is found 

 in Russia, in Poland, in Denmark, Sweden, and Scotland, 

 as well as throughout the whole of the more temperate 

 parts of Europe, and as far south as the South of France, 

 and Italy ; but it has not, I believe, been seen in any part 

 of Africa. It makes its appearance also at an earlier sea- 

 son than any other of our scaled reptiles. It retires in the 

 autumn under masses of decayed wood or leaves, or into 

 soft dry soil where it is covered with heath or brush- 

 wood, and penetrates to a considerable depth in such 

 situations by means of its smooth rounded muzzle, and 

 even polished body. 



Its habits are extremely gentle and inoffensive. Even 

 when handled roughly, it rarely attempts to bite ; and 

 when it is irritated so as to induce it to seize upon the 

 finger, the teeth are so small as scarcely to make an im- 

 pression. Of course the opinion that it is venomous is a 

 mere vulgar error. There are no poison-fangs in the jaw, 

 either of this or of any other species of the group to which 

 it belongs. It is so timid, that on being laid hold of or 

 pursued, it contracts itself so forcibly as to become per- 

 fectly stiff ; and it is then so fragile as to be easily broken 



