LIZARDS 83 



olive, with three or five yellowish longitudinal streaks, 

 instead of four, the low^ermost of which extends to the 

 hind legs, and may be replaced by a series of round spots. 



The Eyed Lizard, L. ocellata, a closely allied, but larger 

 and bulkier creature, a native of the South of France, 

 North-West Italy, Spain, and North-West Africa, is still 

 more handsome, the green ground colour being relieved 

 with a black and yellowish network, while the sides are 

 ornamented with large dark blue eye-spots, the latter 

 having a tendency to disappear in the variety pater, the 

 North African form. This variety, the most frequently 

 imported to this country, like the Green Lizard, seldom 

 thrives for any lengthy period in captivity. The typical 

 form, however, which fetches a higher price in the market, 

 is fairly hardy, living for several years in roomy quarters, 

 hibernating towards the end of October, reappearing the 

 following spring. It feeds on worms, mice, and small 

 birds. 



The Wall Lizard, L. muralis, is a widely distributed 

 species, ranging over the greater part of continental 

 Europe and the islands of the Mediterranean, as well as 

 North-West Africa and South-Western Asia. It may be 

 divided into at least thirty more or less distinct varieties, 

 certain of which differ so much from the typical form 

 inhabiting Jersey and Central and Western Europe, that 

 they are regarded by some authors as valid species. They 

 are, however, so completely connected by intermediate 

 forms as to render their precise definition impossible. 



The typical Wall Lizard is of the same size as our 

 common English lizard, and of grey or brown colour, with 

 darker markings. It often occurs in great numbers on 



